Wild Yaks have been partying it up at Rippers on Rockaway Beach for most of their career. Now, the indie punk-folk rockers are ready to branch out and be heard. The band was formed in the fall of 2007 in Brooklyn, New York by singer/guitarist Rob Bryn and drummer/vocalist Martin Cartagena. While many players have come and gone through the Yaks’ over the years, today’s lineup is Jose Aybar (bass), Patsy Carroll (guitar), Giovanni Kincade (Farfisa), Matt Walsh (guitar), plus Cartagena and Bryn. The Yaks’ discography also includes the EP 10 Ships (Don’t die yet, 2009), and full-length albums Million Years(2012), Rejoice! God Loves Wild Yaks (2015), and Great Admirer (2019). The band’s music has been featured in numerous television shows and films, most notably their live performance in an episode of Law and Order SVU.
I sat down to talk to Rob Bryn about the creation of the band to the steadfast glory days of putting together a live album (their first one in their career) (out 7/16) at their beloved bar spot Rippers along Rockaway Beach. Their sound meshes yesterday’s punk scene with a twist of folk–something we haven’t heard in a while. Check out the interview below and their single for “Last Tears of the Night” here.
