Folk rock and freestyle rap: Ande Sedwick, Yoriko Fukui, Tyreke, Trip

One of Ande's songs


An Ande encore


Insane freestyle rapping


Interview with Ande, Yuriko, Tyreke and Trip

Location: Washington Square park by the fountain
Artists: Ande Sedwick (female guitarist), Yoriko Fukui (female drummer), Tyreke (male drummer), Trip (male guitarist)
Medium: Folk rock, rap

Sometimes I think it’s really lucky that I’m around to capture impromptu music that would otherwise have been lost to the ages. Generally speaking the artists feel the same way. My meeting with Yoriko, Ande, Tyreke and Trip was one of these times.

Initially I found Yoriko and Ande rehearsing for a gig. It wasn’t really clear they were performing, there was no tip collection device and they weren’t being very loud, but since someone was watching them I figured I’d what I do best and start filming. As it turns out they weren’t performing, they had met less than a week earlier and, since Yoriko had agreed to drum for Ande at a gig that Friday, they were practicing together for the first time.

That all changed, however, when Tyreke and Trip entered the fray. Having just met each other a few hours ago, they were ready to throw down and jam; and that’s exactly what happened. After accompanying Ande in a few of her songs, Trip then led the group in seven minutes of uninterrupted freestyle hip-hop rap combining Ande’s soulful voice and guitar with his own chill rhymes and six-string skills, all laced with the improvisational drum skills of Yoriko and Tyreke. Check it out, I’m sure you’ll agree it’s a good thing I was there.

Ande Sedwick: Although she loves rap, Ande is usually a folk rock kind of singer and hails from Indiana near its border with Kentucky. She’s been singing and writing music for quite some time but taught herself guitar only three years ago after figuring that if she’s gonna sing she should play guitar as well. Ande has a penchant showmanship and spontaneity, especially making up lyrics on the fly (you should have heard her at the gig on Friday). However, she says that sometimes it takes a little prodding to get her to play in the street since it’s a “risky and gutsy” kind of art. She admits, though, that “it’s fun and I’m having a good time.” Ande has come to NY to pursue a career in Music.

Yoriko Fukui:
Yoriko the Salsa Drummer comes to us all the way from Tokyo, Japan. Originally a salsa dancer, Yoriko hurt her knee and was unable to continue down that path. Luckily, her friends convinced her to turn her rhythmic abilities to the drums, which she now plays with much fire. Yoriko is only in the U.S. for the summer but she comes nearly every year. Currently, she’s taking drumming classes in Harlem. she has also studied in Cuba. Normally she plays gigs with a salsa band back in Tokyo.

Tyreke:
You might not know it from his accent but Tyreke was born in St. Croix Virgin Islands. Now a resident of Newark, New Jersey he brings Washington Square Park some across-the-river flavor. Tyreke comes to New York for atmosphere and the music, describing himself as a “connoisseur, I’m like a sponge for music and I absorb it all.”

Tyreke is a staple in Washington Square Park and has played with a number of musicians there in the past. Interestingly, Tyreke’s friend loaned him the money on this very day to get a set of drums so he could get back in the habit – and look what happened. “It’s been a stoned trip, yo.”

Trip:
A self-proclaimed local stoner, Trip “come[s] out to New York City for its beautiful jazz music and beautiful vibe.” Like Tyreke, Trip comes across the river from Asbury Park, NJ but says he’s hitchhiked around the country and “represent[s] every single beautiful place, every good vibe, every beautiful person.” Trip says he got into the guitar at a peace protest in Washington, D.C. about 10 years ago and it’s just stuck with him.

Like what you hear? Hire the artists
Ande Sedwick: andesedwick@gmail.com
Yoriko Fukui: yolita@forest.dti2.ne.jp
Tyreke: 973-622-4549 or 973-622-2755
Trip: myspace.com/capptrip or elephanttrip@gmail.com