Sophistafunk

September 24, 2011 - 6:50pm
Sophistafunk, a homegrown Syracuse band that started in 2007, uses improvisation, the audience and other bands to help them create their unique music.

Four years ago, Newhouse graduate Adam Gold sat in on performances by Jack Brown (who was a Newhouse student) and Emanuel Washington at Syracuse's own 'Funk 'n' Waffles.' A jam session with a big group of guys eventually whittled down to just the three men, and Sophistafunk was born.

"It's more of a statement than a generic name," said Brown, the band's MC and lyricist. "It sets you up for the band itself."

September 20, 2011 - 10:51am
Review: Last-minute cancellations fail to stop 219 Takeover in downtown Syracuse.

The sound of high-energy funk and dreamy rock held the air outside of The Red House in downtown Syracuse on Saturday. The special occasion was none other than The 219 Takeover, an outdoor concert event presented by Rojimusic. The one-of-a-kind occasion hit a rough patch, however, hours before it was scheduled to take place.

April 23, 2009 - 3:23pm
Syracuse band Sophistafunk is creating a new sound by combining funk and hip-hop.

Adam Gold learned as a Syracuse University student that the city has historically been a test-market for musicians.  If a band could make it in this wintry town, then it could make it in any city. 

“It’s interesting that we happen to be in a specific market that was literally a test market for the past 40 years,” said Gold, 25.

Keyboardist Gold, lyricist Jack Brown, 23, and drummer Emanuel Washington, 25, make up the local Syracuse band Sophistafunk. The local band has grown in popularity throughout the Central New York region the past few years.