Karina Rykman plays bass, sings, jumps around, and laughs a lot. In doing so, she has garnered rare attention and an avid listenership. Straddling the worlds of jam rock and indie pop drenched in psychedelia, Karina’s effervescent presence comes to life in musical form.
Born and raised in New York City, Karina Rykman’s musical path began in her early teens, playing in bands whenever she could while attending a veritable ton of live music as a fan. By the end of her senior year at NYU, Rykman’s virtuoso talent and infectious spirit led to an invitation to join pianist Marco Benevento’s band, as recommended by Ween bassist Dave Dreiwitz. With Benevento, she has performed countless shows, including dates with Vulfpeck, Dispatch, The Claypool Lennon Delirium, and many more.
Rykman soon formed her own namesake band, accompanied by Adam November on guitar, loopers, and effects, and Chris Corsico on drums. She quickly earned a reputation as an unmissable live act, a bombastic exposition that floats freely between dreamy indie pop and thick, distorted rock, with fun as its guiding light. Tearing through sold out headline performances, show stealing festival sets including Bonnaroo, Peach Music Festival, and Sweetwater 420 Fest, opening for Khruangbin, My Morning Jacket, and Tedeschi Trucks Band, and appearing in the house band on NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers, Karina stays busy.
Rykman released her debut album, JOYRIDE, via AWAL in August 2023. Written and recorded with childhood friend and producer Gabe Monro, the album serves as a vivid canvas for Rykman’s vibrant expression and chameleonic songcraft. JOYRIDE features Trey Anastasio as co-producer and featured musician, contributing guitar on five of the album’s nine tracks.
Her concerts are often packed with fans who feel more like friends, a testament to her undeniable charisma and her embrace of the live music community, and that circle continues to expand at an impressive pace.