We're excited to announce that Karina Rykman and AFTM are coming to RVA May 15 to perform at River City Roll! This is a FREE socially distanced seated show. Doors open at 7pm, with AFTM hitting the stage at 8pm, followed by Karina Rykman! Reserve your table at https://www.sevenrooms.com/reservations/rivercityroll
AFTM
Since AFTM started back in the spring of 2017 as a southern rock band playing University of Georgia fraternity parties and bars around Athens, Georgia, the 5 piece unit has developed themselves into a band with a sound that you can’t quite put your finger on.
Forrest Whitlark (Vocals) and Will MacLane (Rhythm Guitar), the original members of the band, began playing music together in their early childhood. They brought their talents to Athens, GA, where they would recruit John Cherry (Keys) and Kelly Bouchillon (Lead Guitar) in the fall of 2017, and then Cam Corsino (Drums) in the spring of 2018. While some members derive their influence from indie rock and blues, others pull inspiration from classic rock, jazz, and metal, creating a unique blend of their own cohesive and eclectic sound.
AFTM has quickly gained success as well as a significant following playing festivals and selling out venues in the southeast. Their shows are highly energetic, exciting, and a one of a kind experience.
KARINA RYKMAN
In 2016, Karina joined Marco Benevento's band on bass, replacing her ‘guru’ Dave Dreiwitz (Ween /Joe Russo's Almost Dead). In the many U.S. tours, trips to Japan and the UK since then, Karina has developed a permanent and powerful presence in the band, playing headlining shows, festival sets, and opening for bands such as Vulfpeck, Dispatch, The Claypool Lennon Delirium, Guster, and many more.
Aside from her gigs with Benevento, Karina’s musical résumé has almost grown too large to keep track of, but includes highlights we’d be remiss to exclude: a performance on the Today Show with Julia Michaels, a now-famous soundcheck at Madison Square Garden with Phish, playing in the backing band (in front of Howard Stern and co. at
Radio City Music Hall) on America’s Got Talent with a flame-spewing helmet on her head, gigs with the Everyone Orchestra alongside members of moe., The Disco Biscuits, Soulive, Robert Randolph, + many more) and finally, the formation of her own band.
Karina put out two singles in 2019: Plants and Elevator, as well as two more in 2020
(City Kids & Dirty South) – the songs have garnered six-figure streaming numbers + air time on Satellite radio. A few live highlights include opening for Khruangbin at The Capitol Theatre, playing moe.down and Hulaween, and a plethora of headlining shows for ravenous fans. The group has welcomed special guests including Nels Cline, Robert Walter, Skerik, + more. And this is just the beginning for the young NYC-based bassist.