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Brooklyn's Cousin Earth is a sci-fi rock band that pushes the limits of both genre and musicality with catchy songs, evolving jams, and dynamic funk grooves. Featuring an original repertoire and a vast array of covers, the band delivers a wide tonal palette that has as much a sense of humor as it does a sense of purpose. 

 

From shredding ukulele solos and 4-part vocal breakdowns to interweaving themed medleys, Cousin Earth is sure to catch the attention of any music lover.  Presenting a multitude of styles including Rock, Funk, Prog, Latin, Bluegrass, Hip Hop, Ragtime, and even Electronica, no musical dimension is off-limits for this otherworldly live act.  

 

Cousin Earth (originally called Ukulelien) was formed in 2013 by Joey Calfa and Nate Searing. The two met while playing in a Frank Zappa cover band in college called the Mothers of Intention. Before founding Cousin Earth, Calfa and Searing went on to play together in the progressive jam band Mercury Landing. It was from this group that they recruited Tara Lawton, Corey J. Feldman, and Terry Brennan to join the band. Melissa Raye took over for Lawton on vocals in 2018.

 

Having played over 300 shows nationally, Cousin Earth has built their fan base from the ground up.  From Maine to Georgia, the band has played with notable acts including Melvin Seals and the Jerry Garcia Band, Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds, the Werks, Aqueous, Future Folk, Andy Frasco, Rustic Overtones, and many more. The group has also cultivated a strong internet following through their engaging videos and consistent attention to fans. With over a million cumulative views from Youtube and Facebook videos, the band brings in thousands of visitors from around the world every month. Their music video for “Universoul” is in Hard Rock Café’s video library and can be seen at locations across the globe. Always striving to be creative in providing the best experience for their followers,  “Color-Me-In” t-shirts, choreographed dance moves, and a tap-dancing / light-saber wielding dinosaur mascot are just some things you can expect from these Cousin Earthlings. 

 

On November 20th 2015, Cousin Earth released a self-titled debut EP on all major platforms. To follow up their EP, the group released a full-length album entitled "Human Music" on April 27th, 2018. This release fully embodied the intricate musicality, sense of humor, and tight vocal harmonies that have become a staple of their live act.  On April 19th, they released "Please Don't Kill Us," a sc-fi plea to the extra terrestrials on behalf of planet Earth.

 

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PRESS CLIPS - Click for links

 

"One listen and it's apparent that Cousin Earth is the real deal!" - Dave Melamed - Live For Live Music

 

“A member of the Brooklyn Jam Syndicate, they [Cousin Earth] are a whirlwind to the senses and an unpredictable foray into the unknown. A chance to witness ukulele master, Joey Calfa, is worth the price of admission alone.” Chadbyrne Dickens - JamBase

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“Throw in your favorite ’90s cartoon themes, a dash of George Formby from the ’20s, a kazoo, a pinch of melodica, a throbbing rhythm section and the fiery fingers of lead ukester Joey Calfa, hit the button, and then pour yourself an energy-boosting musical concoction unlike anything you’ve ever tasted” - Kevin Coughlin - Morristown Green

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“The greatly anticipated Human Music from Cousin Earth, is unlike any studio album you’ll listen to this year. Immense talent is found in this Brooklyn five-piece, and share a wide range of influences that all align greatly. The variety of songs throughout the album are each presented without pomp or overshadowing any other. Well produced and executed, Human Music is an exemplar of how to showcase the influences of your music while drawing the listener deep into an album.” Pete Mason - NYSMusic.com

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“they are a special experience due to the eccentric and original style and flair, including unique time signatures and song structure … Cousin Earth is an ascending band that one should watch and expect great things from in the immediate future.” - Chadbyrne R. Dickens Live For Live Music

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"With their unique ukulele arrangements and stage antics, Cousin Earth provided a set full of surprises." Tom Dillon NYSMusic.com
 

"Cousin Earth blew my socks off last time I saw them in DC. They released their newest album, "Human Music" this week and it is all at once masterful, funky, and fun. Their on-stage presence is infectious" - Nina Goodman DC Music Review

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"Based out of Brooklyn, this original and eclectic outfit, led by the masterful ukulele provided by Joey Calfa, is known for their electric live shows.  Co-fronting duo, Lawton and Brennan really bring the goods." - Ming Lee Newcomb - Live For Live Music

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 “Cousin Earth came straight from outer space with what they call “Human Music” that consisted of ukulele, bass, drums, guitar, and keys. I got to say that this was my favorite performance out of the whole weekend.” - Selomon / C.S. Closson The Jamwich

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"Cousin Earth gets my recommendation for Band You Absolutely Need To Experience" - Neil Benjamin Jr. - NYSMusic.com

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"I could already tell that their eclectic sound mixed with the funny, yet thought provoking lyrics had abducted the room for the duration of their time on stage"-Ben Boivin / Brian Ferguson NYSMusic.com

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"Cousin Earth is gaining momentum in the Brooklyn music scene thanks to their unique flavor that provides listeners with a fresh, fun, and funky sound." - Kristina Rusch - MusicFestNews.com

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"The energy in their voices and in their steps were nothing short of a mini musical.  They really impressed me and it was hard to tear myself away."- Krystal Glushien - Live Music News and Review

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"Cousin Earth kicked off the day pulling new fans in with every song." - Sean Schechter - MusicFestNews.com

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"Ukulelien [Cousin Earth] is freaking awesome."
Pete Destefano - OurVinyl.com

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“So it was awesome that Cousin Earth met this demand with a combination of every member being really on, and a sound that just knocked me back a bit. I’ve seen them a handful of times in the last year alone, but here was a set that still went bigger than ever before.” - Miles Hurley Live Music News and Review

"[They] drew in bystanders with a blistering video game theme medley of Tetris, Super Mario Brothers and Mortal Kombat."

Joey Zoldan - Sensible Reason.
 

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