Ultrafrog - UF0 series

Record Store Day is typically a big deal here in Nashville. The last few years, the folks at Vinyl Tap have put on an all-day festival of performances, making for a giant celebration of all sorts of music to be enjoyed by all, even if you aren't looking to wait in line to buy some exclusive RSD drop.

During the 2026 activities, I watched as Ultrafrog setup on the small interior stage. A full drum kit emerged along with a bass rig, guitar amps, a synth, a table full of pedals, vocal mic, a xylophone, a bongo set, another keyboard and more wires interconnecting equipment than I could keep track of. It's a massive amount of stuff but once the group started playing, it was clear they were in full control of the hordes in front of them.

At its core, Ultrafrog is J. Childers and Brian Kotzur, two musicians well known from the Nashville music scene. They are crafting "Sonic Journeys through Percussion & Electronics," sprawling soundscapes that do an excellent job of creating a mesmerizing atmosphere. They collaborate with other talented Nashville folks as well - including Annie Williams improvising vocals as heard on UF04 (and William Tyler / Grant Gustafson on UF06).

The sheer volume of equipment at their shows is the result of knowing what tools are needed to create that mesmerizing and immersive atmosphere. They may not need a bongo set but when they put it to use, you'll appreciate that it's there. The attention to detail and texture is surely a pain for them to manuever but, as a listener, the results are worth it.