Pete and Nick

The dynamic folk/rock/pop duo consisting of Pete Ford and Nick Ryder has taken the Chicago and Columbia College music scene by storm in a relatively short period of time, just two months. Ford, a Minnesota native, and Ryder, born in Connecticut, met while attending Miami University of Ohio for two years. While Miami was great for what it offered, girls and partying, the two had a vested interest in something bigger: creating and performing music. Their time together has produced a sound that is fresh and exciting, but also deeply rooted in folk and rock music. Ford provides confident lead vocals and catchy, harmonic acoustic riffs while keeping time with a steady rhythm, and Ryder contributes with a strong lead acoustic and electric guitar, plus backing vocals.

While living in the Lincoln Park neighborhood in late 2011, Pete and Nick began playing open mics on a regular basis, ultimately landing their first gig at "The Store" where they played for an impressive crowd, receiving a warm reception from their local fan base. Their most recent show was a charity benefit where all proceeds were given to The WaterWheel Foundation, which supports local non-profits in Vermont communities. This March, the duo traveled to California where they recorded their first demo tracks in a professional studio. Although they have not released an LP at this time, they are on track to do so in the coming months, lately spending most of their efforts on live performance which is undoubtedly where they shine.

The two have an arsenal of cover songs that are guaranteed crowd pleasers, Sufjan Stevens’ aptly titled “Chicago” and Maroon 5’s “This Love”, but the real magic is in their original songs. Ford’s songwriting ability has proven to be consistently outstanding and seems to come easily to him, with abstract lyrics delivered in a soulful manner. Look to “Untitled” for an impressive jam complimented by a shredding solo from Ryder, and “40 Love”, quite possibly their biggest hit to date, which boasts a sing-along quality that is sure to be stuck in your head for days. Both performers have a presence on stage that attracts and keeps a crowd’s attention right down to the very last song. Pete and Nick is a rising talent with a passion for music that is recognizable from the moment you meet them.