About
Tubey Frank
Early childhood
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-grew up recording Xmas tapes on dad’s 4-track tape recorder with family, as Xmas gifts
-started countermelody arrangements
-obsessive harmonizer
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Pre-teen
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-songs written on Hondo guitar, many strings broken
-explored the power and joy in electric music
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Teen years
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-joins central Pennsylvania club scene
-bassist of many punk and rock outfits
-wore mostly brown
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Early 20s
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-hustled as a touring musician
- experimented in theatre
- near-death-experience - healed in record time -generous help from family, friends and determination
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2015
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-Josh & Andy Kirwin move to Philadelphia
-Adam Stehr Trio begins playing J. Kirwin originals
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2016
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-Tubey Frank is born - Josh & Andy Kirwin, organized by executive producer and band leader Adam “Stehreo” Stehr
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2017
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-1st “Tubey Frank” release, EP “Lost in the Woods”
-A. Stehr begins long-term touring with Gramatik, but remains studio producer
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2018
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-New musicians joined: Erik Kramer, Melina Harris, Ben & Josh Parry, Matt McLeod
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2019
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-2nd Stehr-produced EP “Euphoraphobia”
-new musicians joined: Adam Shumski, Paul Giess
-M. McLeod starts his own business
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2020
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-3rd EP “Twomoreaphobia” released - previously unfinished songs meant for "2019 release
-new musicians joined: Tina Armstead, Keaton Thandi
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Covid-19 & The Mouth House Sessions
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-J. Kirwin & E. Kramer are given an opportunity to use Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens during the pandemic lockdown - put together two concert films for various artists, as a fundraising for RHD Morris Home (this has since sparked Mouth House concerts in South Philadelphia, focusing on unique neighborhood-oriented concert experiences)
-J. Kirwin begins self-recording music
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2021
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-A. Kirwin moves to New York City
-follow-up Mouth House Sessions are produced before PMG reopens
-4th release, “Quarantine Sketches Vol. 1” is released; an anthology of J. Kirwin’s learning to self-record, while processing the events of 2020
-many collaborators join Tubey Frank, but more regular members include Will Currier, Mark Nestman
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2022
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-5th release, “The Quiet Fire” produced by E. Kramer
-A. Shumski joins The Lunar Year
-J. Kirwin begins musical trolley shows at Founding Footsteps, a historical tour company
-new musicians joined: Alex Vogelsong
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2023
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-The project’s first full-length album, 2023’s “Apple Pie Bible”, made in conjunction with Spring Garden Records, includes many songs from the live set with The Parry Brothers, as well as a batch of new songs, which the album’s engineer Dave Klyman described as “somehow, everything Tubey Frank does, and nothing Tubey Frank does, at the same time”.
-B. Parry joins Catbite
-T. Armstead quits music industry
-full-length album produced by MJ Stipe is scrapped due to philosophical differences
-new musicians joined: Barney Cortez, Donnie Coco
-W. Currier and J. Kirwin cowrite
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2024
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-J. Kirwin and spouse/collaborator Caroline Oddo begin organizing South Philadelphia neighborhood concerts and supporting the Philadelphia music scene
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2025
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-J. Kirwin & C. Oddo organize Mouth House First Friday Function-neighborhood folk music showcase at Rebel & Wolf Cafe in South Philadelphia. Sponsored in part by The Illuminate the Arts Grant, Rebel & Wolf Cafe and Founding Footsteps
-new musicians joined: Liam & Sam Bornovski, Anisa Abella
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2026
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-B. Cortez & K. Thandi agree to produce upcoming 2nd LP “I Told You So”
-E. Kramer agrees to produce EP “Office Ours”
-J. Kirwin promises 3 songs with word “Chill“ in title
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32 currently released songs into “Tubey Frank” project, many folks have contributed on a regular or semi-regular basis.
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Original live trio :
Joshua Kirwin - lead writer+vocalist/bassist/guitarist
Andrew Kirwin-guitarist/bassist
Adam “Stehreo” Stehr - multi-instrumentalist/producer
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Rotating cast of present contributors include :
Erik Kramer - bassist/collaborator/producer -
Keaton Thandi - drummer/collaborator/producer
Will Currier - guitarist/cowriter/composer/producer
Liam Bornovski - pedal steel guitarist/collaborator
Samantha Bornovski - vocalist
Anisa Abella - bassist/vocalist
Donnie Coco - vocalist/instrumentalist/collaborator
Josh Parry - drummer/collaborator
Mark Nestman - bassist/collaborator
Alexandra Vogelsong - percussionist
Barney Cortez - producer/guitarist/collaborator
Melina Harris - vocalist/collaborator/producer
Past/Cameo:
Paul Giess - trumpeter/composer/collaborator
Adam Shumski - drummer/producer
Ben Parry - bassist/collaborator/producer
Katie Hackett - vocalist/collaborator
Yasmin Roc - vocalist
Matt McLeod - keyboardist
Tina Armstead - saxophonist/collaborator
Jordan Zabady - percussionist/beatboxer/collaborator
Gabe Preston - reeded horn player/flutist
Noah Flaharty - percussionist
Kara Lieff - vocalist/collaborator
Emily Drinker - vocalist/collaborator
Caroline Oddo - pianist/vocalist
Nazeer Art’aud - collaborator/vocalist
Samuel Nobles - bassist
MJ Stipe-bassist
David Levine - soprano saxophonist
Phil Conine - percussionist
Josh Steingard - percussionist
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There are a number of different releases being produced by and for Tubey Frank, but the clearest one in sight is new LP “I Told You So” along with two separate EPs featuring both the cassette-style recordings at Erik Kramer’s Office Ours and Kirwin home recordings.
Keep it real - audiences who enjoy emotive, lyrical, songs are welcome to catch TF and listen anywhere music is streamed.