Hoop 2025

May 2019

akita

Side Street

After Party

Hey guys! We are AKITA! We heard about the NPR Tiny Desk Contest a couple days ago and decided to record and submit one of our songs.  This song is called "Freak" and we hope you like it! 

AKITA is from Charlotte, NC and is made up of:

Patrick Buckley - Drums
Zak Ferrell - Bass Guitar
Sam Farnham - Electric Guitar
Dan Hamalainen - Trombone/Electric Guitar
Charlie Lamprecht - Tenor Saxophone

This video was made possible by the hard work, dedication, and professionalism of JXP ELITE PRODUCTIONS and The Phantom Squad in Charlotte, NC! These guys are some of the most easy going and efficient videographers out here.  For more of their work, DEFINITELY check them out on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JXPELITEPROD...

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeOo...

For booking, email JXP ELITE PRODUCTIONS at: jxpeliteproductions1@gmail.com

LIKE AKITA ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/akitafunk/

FREAK

Charlie Lamprecht - Sax
Zak Ferrell - Bass
Patrick Buckley - Drums
Dan Hamalainen - Trombone
Sam Farnham - Guitar
Ryan Devenney - Producer

Hot Step

Mori

Disco Duck

First touch of snow
millions of years ago
Can't let go
split of my ego
Sky falling behind with
sweetest dreamers
reaching the night
before evening
shuts my light

Snow

Preview track from our debut EP GO!  Paul Rudd is a force of funk/rock right from the beginning.  Putting on your dancin shoes for this one ladies and gents!

Paul Rudd

what I say
is so unclear
all my words misdirected
thoughts come out backwards
what I mean
can you hear
follow me under the surface
where ghosts walk among us

i'm at a distance that words don't reach
skimming the surface i'm in too deep
and you'll only see what i want you to see
i want you to see

i'll make you believe
smile with all my teeth
oh I’ll say i'm alright 
but I'm not fine

no don't give up on me
i'm not how i seem
oh take a look inside
cause i'm not fine

in the space
between the lines
we can rest for a moment
and let silence hold us
don't rush
to fill the void
feel a stillness between us
where words lose their meaning 

i'll make you believe
smile with all my teeth
oh I’ll say i'm alright 
but I'm not fine

no don't give up on me
i'm not how i seem
oh take a look inside
cause i'm not fine

hey can you hear me call
say it’s nothing at all
feel a chill in your bones

i'll make you believe
smile with all my teeth
oh I’ll say i'm alright 
but I'm not fine

no don't give up on me
i'm not how i seem
oh take a look inside
cause i'm not fine

Not Fine

there's always one who goes
and someone who remains
to lift the heavy loads
of memory and pain

and winter turns to spring
while summer fades away
i think it must be harder
for those who have to stay

but I don't blame you
for moving on 
go and be happy
even though I'm not around 

some will cross that bridge
and some will brave the sea
to find something worth keeping
that's hidden in the deep

there's so much more to come
so take comfort in your dreams
and nobody knows what's ahead
but I wish you peace 

but I don't blame you
for moving on 
go and be happy
even though I'm not around 

i don't blame you
cause life goes on
just be happy
that's all I could ever want

I Don't Blame You

Mystery

► Spotify

Tomi's Tune

Akita Funk burst onto the scene with the mission to forge a wave of infectious beats and grooving melodies that draw crowds and get feet moving across the country. 

The seven-piece power house’s danceable magic is layered—anchored by thunderous bass and soulful guitar, elevated by the lofty harmonies of booming sax and trombone, tied together with complex, flowing beats, and perfected with deep grooves resonating from sweet keys and crooning vocals.

Akita Funk’s vibrant sound seamlessly blends the upbeat energy of funk trailblazers Lettuce, the soul and intensity of psychedelic rock legend George Clinton, and the genre-bending power of Earth, Wind & Fire. 

The band exists to create a more joyous world with the vitality of complex and bright funk—from festivals to parties to crowded concerts of thousands.

Akita has been a staple of the Southeast funk scene since 2017.  Their 2nd release, After Party, was released August 2021 and is available on all platforms. Their full length animated music video of “Cactus Jack” can be seen here! Keep an eye on festivals and concert venues near you for the next unforgettably lively dance party.