Illinois State University’s Concerts on the Quad series begins Monday, July 3, with the breathtaking two-some Future Stuff.
Future Stuff consists of Gabe Burdulis and Althea (Thea) Grace, who met each other at a band competition in Chicago five years ago.
Individually, both Burdulis and Grace started making music at very young ages, playing and singing since grammar school. Growing up listening to classic blues artists, they found themselves attending concerts regularly and sitting in with other groups to create music and explore their talents.
When asked how he was inspired to make music with Grace, Burdulis said: “We were both playing almost five nights out of the week. Neither of us had ever met anyone as hardworking as one another, especially considering how young we were at the point when we met.”
Burdulis was 16 at the time, and Grace was only 13, but both had already been pursuing individual solo careers. Officially forming Future Stuff in 2015, the two said they felt a certain spark when they first experienced each other’s musical talents. Now 21 and 18 years old, they have been sharing the stage and creating music together ever since.
Future Stuff features Burdulis on vocals, guitar, kick drum, and trumpet looping, and Grace on vocals, upright bass, and guitar.
“We have always had a similar taste in music, in a pretty wide variety,” Burdulis said.
Named one of the best up-and-coming bands in the Chicago area, they describe their music as having a “heavy blues influence” and a “fun vintage folk/pop style.”
Burdulis spoke of how important it is to keep your pathway open because you never know what the next step is. On a plane to Washington, D.C., Burdulis met Angelo Favis, Illinois State University’s professor of guitar, and the two exchanged contact information during the quick flight. Now Future Stuff is kicking off this year’s Concert on the Quad series.
While regularly touring, the duo has also just finished an album. You can find more information about the Future Stuff on their website and on Facebook.
Future Stuff is excited to perform at Illinois State on July 3.
The 2017 Concerts on the Quad schedule includes:
July 3: Future Stuff
July 10: Ameranouche
July 17: April Verch Band
July 24: Singing Under the Stars
July 31: Evening of Jazz
All Concerts begin at 7 p.m. and are free and open to the public. Concerts take place on the east side of Cook Hall and concertgoers should bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating.
The Concerts on the Quad series is presented by the Illinois State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music and in conjunction with the Illinois Shakespeare Festival and The Pantagraph, and is sponsored by the Mirza Fund of the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation, Fell Trust, and Town of Normal Harmon Arts Grant Program.
