Audiofeed Festival is coming up quickly, and 2023 marks the second year that Tuned Up will be hosting a stage. The weekend of July 1st through 4th in Urbana, Illinois will bring some of the best up and coming independent artists, along with several seasoned veterans and exciting reunions. To get you hyped for the fest, Tuned Up will be spotlighting artists playing our specially curated stage, hopefully introducing you to your next favorite band.

Audiofeed Artist Spotlight-Third Culture Kid

Hailing from Ohio’s Cedarville, University, Third Culture Kid is out to prove that college band’s are still a creative force in the music world. Following on the heels of their debut album, 2022’s Still Life, TCK is looking forward to more touring and playing Audiofeed Festival for the very first time. Lead vocalist and electric guitarist Katie Larson and Toby French who plays guitar/keys and does background vocals were kind enough to give some time to answer my HARD-HITTING QUESTIONS, the things the public NEEDS TO KNOW. So read on to get to know one of central Ohio’s best kept secrets and a must-see artist at Audiofeed.

Describe YOUR MUSIC in 5 words:

Toby: Relational, bisexual, ADHD, bubblegrunge, and cathartic

Could you name a song or two of yours that someone unfamiliar with your band could check out to get a sense of who you are?

Katie: “Starting Over” and “South Detroit” are both on our debut album and are definitely good examples of TCK.

What is your approach to live performances and why should someone come see Third Culture Kid at Audiofeed?

Toby: We do a good job of being tightly rehearsed so that when we are on stage we can engage with our audience. We can pay attention to how everyone is feeling and how we can take care of them. Also, we want to bring a balance of high energy fun and moshpit music while also a little bit of crying in the corner. Can we do both of those?

Which artists and/or albums who influenced your music would be carved in stone on your Mount Rushmore?

Katie: My favorite artists that influence me are Julien Baker for her guitar tones, Eloise’s melody writing, Orla Gartland’s overall structure of songs, and Dodie’s songwriting.

Toby: Agreed, Julien Baker is one of my favorite songwriters right now. Also, Manchester Orchestra are one of my favorite bands right now, Andy Hull is great. Old Switchfoot, don’t like their writing anymore but I used to really like their writing. We listen to a lot of modern female-led indie artists like Snail Mail, Phoebe Bridgers, boygenius, and all that jazz.

If you could have rider requests that HAD to be followed by venues and festivals, what would ABSOLUTELY be on it?

Katie: It depends on the show. Outdoor: dirtbike. Indoor: boost-it board. And Target Fruit Strips-100% real juice. Delicious.

Toby: “Sponsored by Target”

Toby: I think I want a rice cooker, I eat a lot of rice. And a projector with videos playing of people getting their backs cracked by chiropractors. That would be nice and relaxing.

Katie: I would walk back out if Toby was in there sitting and watching that.

Toby: Well that’s my request.

What kind of music does the band listen to in the van on the way to shows?

Toby: Depends on who’s driving. If it’s me it’s midwest emo and hardcore. Hot Mulligan. All the sports bands: American Football, Canadian Softball, Remember Sports.

Katie: If I was driving, I would choose something more tame-Eloise and Dodie. If Christian was driving he would probably listen to King’s Kaleidoscope.

Toby: If Eric got to choose, some weird, off the wall, really loud Japanese math rock or punk. Which I’m kind of into also. It’s dope.

Who are some other artists you’re looking forward to seeing at Audiofeed 2023?

Katie: Chris Bernstorf. I met him a couple years back and he was excellent. He does a round circle, and I’m really excited for his poetry.

Toby: I’m really excited for ADJY. They’re very cool. I started listening to them a few years ago and their very cool. Also Make Sure. I played a show with them a while ago and they were great.

What are some future projects coming up for Third Culture Kid?

Katie: Our EP is coming out. There are four to five songs on it and we are excited to release it.

Toby: We’re excited for new music, and we just shot a live session of new music and an old song of Katie’s that we’ve never released before. It’s really exciting to finally have it out in the wild.

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Stream Third Culture Kid’s debut album HERE, and follow them on Instagram.