Non-Existent
www.non-existent.net

Band Bio

Non-Existent is playing their own part, however small, in the funk revival of the 21st century, offering their own take on funk as well as a mix of related genres including jazz, blues, and rock. Non-Existent's music is often playful, but also has a serious groove; it is largely instrumental, but also catchy; it is highly orchestrated, but also leaves plenty of room for improvisation. The songs tend to be full of tight transitions, challenging rhythmic switches, spirited solos, and overall a whole lot of energy. Drummer Mike Brown and guitarist Robin Schmidt have been playing together since 6th grade (1996)! They still remember back in the day when the band was called 'the drummers and strummers'... They soon became known as Non-Existent, one of a number of names they had had prior to 'the drummers and strummers.' Non-Existent played their first gig in 1999 - with former bass player Will Evett-Miller, now of Oculus - at the Enfield Community Center, playing a mix of blues and '60s style rock. It was in 2000 that Non-Existent really started getting into funk and wrote their first true funk song 'funk2' (following 'organic funk,' which had a funky part). Throughout their existence, Non-Existent has become continuously funkier and tighter. Bassist John Zinder - also of the band IY - has been playing with the group since early in 2001, tenor sax player Moses Wilks also since 2001, and trumpet player Danielle Koplinka-Loehr since 2002. Former members include Jeremy Hilliker (trumpet), who played with Non-Existent from 2001-2002 and Mike Gifford (trombone), who played with the group mostly from 2002-2003. Mike Brown, Danielle, John, and Moses are all Ithaca High School graduates and Robin is a graduate of Ithaca's Alternative Community School. The members of Non-Existent are currently at college (Danielle at The Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Robin at Bard College, and Mike, Moses, and John at Cornell University). Non-Existent plays high-energy shows over the summer and college breaks and continues to write new material. They just released their new album, Pole to Pole! It is now available for sale on the Non-Existent webiste (click on the Albums/Shop link) or you can pick up a copy at a Non-Existent show or at a music shop in Ithaca (currently available at Ithaca Guitar Works, Volume Records, Small World Music, Barnes & Noble, and Borders). Non-Existent also just won first place in the 2006 Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance Band Contest!

Non-Existent's influences include (in arbitrary order):

Tower of Power, The Meters, Maceo Parker/JB horns, Herbie Hancock, Santana, Paul Simon, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Cake, The Average White Band, Soulive, Lettuce, John Scofield, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Deep Banana Blackout, The Derek Trucks Band, Oteil & The Peacemakers, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Phish, Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, Victor Wooten, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Stanton Moore, Galactic, Charlie Hunter, Mectapus, Antibalas, Beethoven, and many more