A virtual band is a band comprised entirely of fictional characters. Think Love Handle from Phineas and Ferb, Josie and the Pussycats, or Gorillaz. While there are obviously actual musicians behind the virtual band, any related media presents the fictional characters instead.

Cool Froot is a virtual band as well as a conceptually motivated musical project. Typically, when a band is formed, there is no greater musical direction the band is obligated to take; however, Cool Froot’s abstraction from the physical world as a virtual band allows for a specific vision of the world around them to be realized. The virtual band currently consists of three members: Lizzie, Rickie, and Jo. You can learn more about each of them in the “About” tab in the navigation bar at the top of the page.

Cool Froot is currently heavily inspired by the computer graphics and children’s media of the 90s. I say currently because the idea is to have every album have a different sound and aesthetic, but we want to keep it simple to start.

Every release put out by the band will be an attempt at a different style, from jazz to electronic to harder-to-quantify genre fusion intended to evoke a particular aesthetic or sound. The core of the sound, however, will be progressive/psychedelic rock with an emphasis on unique sounds and sonic structures. Compare a few different records by prolific Australian garage rock band King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard and you might get a sense for the diverse musical ideas behind Cool Froot.

Experience, mostly. The songwriter and driving force behind Cool Froot, Aris Martinian, has been involved in a wide variety of musical projects throughout their life. From being a part of the MMEA All-State chorus, to playing and composing for the piano, to performing in both a musical and an opera, to digitally composing over 200 pieces of music throughout their career, to founding and spearheading a webcomic-centered music team consisting of at least a hundred amateur composers and artists, which has since put out 59 albums (albeit of varying quality).

We’re already thinking several releases ahead. Expect a drastically darker tone on Cool Froot’s second album, which already has a couple of songs written for it.

Honestly, we’re looking for anything. While we necessarily need a guitarist, bassist, a drummer, and a vocalist, these positions don’t have to be static or absolute. If you want to participate for a bit, or contribute a different musical ability, that’s totally fine and welcome welcome. Part of the fun of a virtual band is that the underlying band members need not commit any more than they want to, since they aren’t the face of the band. We may want to form a live band eventually, but that will be a bridge to cross if and when we get there.

Your instrument of choice, primarily. If you’re a vocalist, bring yourself! Show us one thing you can do really well, and another that demonstrates some technical ability, whether that’s high/low notes, quick fingering, or a weird rhythm you can pull off, etc. You don’t have to prepare pieces or anything like that, this is super casual. Sign up in one of the slots here or email Aris at amartini@conncoll.edu or Tori, the art director, at vdearbor@conncoll.edu

Yeah, hope that isn’t too confusing. Essentially, while we are looking for anyone and everyone to come on board, the virtual band side of things is looking for a vocalist. On that note, if you are looking to become a vocalist for Cool Froot, please make a suggestion as to the design of the fourth member, since, if you get in, that character will have your voice! Obviously, nothing is binding, but creative input from other band members is something we’re really going to be looking for throughout this project.

Glad you asked. While we don’t want to give away too much, the world of Cool Froot is one that we hope to build and characterize more with each successive album. The concept is a kind of abstract fantasy, examining a fictional universe on every level from the atomic to the cosmic. Some of this is planned out, including some overarching themes and story elements, but most of it is vague half-formed notions. To maybe give you a sense, a couple of the album titles that have floated around a bit: Machines 4 Cats, Froot Jamz, and Electrophojhinic Acid. We’re starting with a self-titled album, though.