For two years, the music and style of Future Ancestors was carefully crafted by Andrew Reece with an old Stratocaster and a beat-up amplifier. The rich layers of synths, 80s inspired drums, and catchy hooks would come later, after each song was written piece by piece, line by line. The end result was the 2019 release of Future Ancestors’ self-titled debut album, which rocketed to the top 10 in the alternative, indie, and unsigned charts on SoundClick.com.

No stranger to modest success as an independent artist in a heavily commercialized industry, Andrew Reece and his very first band “The Drive” were picked up by DC College Magazine for a short feature on their crowd-pleasing alternative vibes. Andrew reflected on reading the finished editorial for the first time: “I remember that the article said that we sounded like what Third Eye Blind would sound like if they had a female lead vocalist, and we took a lot of pride in that.” That article, now framed and proudly displayed in a humble recording studio, is a testament to the songwriting that has endeared Andrew to audiences throughout Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Washington DC.

Two years after graduating college, Andrew made the move from the Washington DC area to Blacksburg, Virginia. A thriving college town, he quickly met up with drummer Chris Riggs, guitarist Andrew “Rusty” Russell, and bassist Steven Kambach, who formed the popular rock group Last Train North. “We originally met on Craigslist. I’ll always remember at every show, I would say something about how we met as complete strangers on the internet, and Chris would always shout ‘but not for sex!’”. The group was well received by locals and college crowds alike, and grew a reputation for their eclectic mix of alternative rock. That reputation led the group to performing at The Sycamore, a venue favored by locals for its distinct charm and sought after by musicians for its undeniable rock and roll vibe. The group would later find itself sharing the bill with classic rock icons Blue Öyster Cult at Roanoke’s 2017 Festival in the Park. Andrew reflected on opening for one his favorite rock bands: “As an independent artist, its what you live for. The crowd, the energy, and the pride of sharing a venue with legendary performers. It gives you a small taste of success, and it is intoxicating.”

Flash forward to 2018, when it was time for a new musical journey. Music was changing faster than it ever had before. Basement rockers and bedroom producers had carved out a piece of the music industry for themselves, and Andrew was no exception. “I came up with the stage name ‘Future Ancestors’, because I knew the music would deal with themes of humanity as it currently exists, and how it is changing at a blistering pace, right before our eyes.” Those themes would permeate the music of Future Ancestors, which resulted in the release of a self-titled debut EP in 2019. To his surprise, Andrew found that four of the tracks found a place in the top 10 in various sub-genres on SoundClick.com. “It was definitely a pleasant surprise. As an independent artist, you always have to believe in yourself. To see the songs get to where they did, it was very validating.” Andrew wasted no time in writing his next batch of songs, carving out hooks and melodies early in 2020. But the sound of the sophomore release, “When the Fires Out”, is by and large a deviation from his debut under Future Ancestors. The production value is incredibly detailed and rich. There is no doubt that an indie artist can compete with the recording studio titans, as “When the Fires Out” features a crisp, punchy, stereo image that is absolutely radio ready. The songs themselves are definitely alternative in nature, but clearly borrow from the 80s with big, open reverbs, and a healthy dose of synthesizers. Cellos, violins, and even a trumpet make their appearance in the EP’s closing track “Lost in Space”, which tells the tale of explorers who wandered too far from home. The EP explores the changes in the human experience, from our online personas in “Ghost Within the Shell” to a philosophical discussion on what drives mankind forward in the EP’s titular track “When the Fires Out”.

With so much in flux in the midst of a pandemic, its anybody’s guess as to what will happen to independent artists like Future Ancestors. If there was perhaps a one sentence summary for “When the Fires Out”, it is that “the future is uncertain”. With that said, it’s a good bet that Future Ancestors will be joining us for the ride.