The Voyces

The Voyces are Brian Wurschum and Jude Kastle. Founded in New York City in 1999 by singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist, Brian Wurschum, along with his longtime singing partner Laurel Hoffman. The name of the band was inspired by the 1981 song, The Voice, by The Moody Blues. For a brief period the name of the band was, The Voices. While making a flier in New York City’s East Village, ‘The Voyces’ was written accidentally. The band members decided the typo looked better and the name was officially adopted right then and there. Before forming The Voyces, Wurschum and Hoffman performed together throughout the 1990’s in Wurschum's psychedelic indie band, majority DOG. Based in Southern-California, majority DOG released two official albums (Mr. Night, 1994, and Nevada, 1996). Wurschum and Hoffman also regularly performed together during that same time period as a folk duo called, Zelig, releasing one album under that moniker called, Race You to the Sun (1998). In 2000, The Voyces’ song, Relate to Me, was featured in a Jack Johnson film and soundtrack, Thicker Than Water. The soundtrack was released in 2003, reaching #21 in the Billboard Soundtracks charts. That same year, The Voyces appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman. The Voyces’ first official release, The Angels of Fun, would also come in 2003. The album cover was supposed to be a photograph of seven models dressed like angels. After two photo shoots, both of which had only six models show up, the idea had to be scrapped due to production deadlines, and Wurschum quickly drew the album cover instead (Wurschum began illustrating almost daily and had a large showing of his works at The Luna Lounge in 2004). Due to personal differences, Wurschum and Hoffman parted ways in 2004, thus ending their musical partnership of over fifteen years. Despite a lack of any live activity, interest in the band continued to grow, due to the success of Jack Johnson’s Thicker Than Water. In 2004, three songs were featured in a National Lampoon movie called, Adam and Eve. In 2006, independent solo artist, Jude Kastle joined the group. Prior to this, Kastle had released Ghost of a Girl (2002), and Junkie For Fire (2004). In 2005, Kastle was #3 in Maxim’s list of Best Indie Artists. In 2007, the band signed with Planting Seeds Records and released, Kissing Like It’s Love. The album peaked at #3 on Barnes and Noble’s sales charts. That same year, the bands music would be featured in the Lifetime television show, Monarch Cove, as well as a Toyota commercial. After several tours, the band went back to the studio and recorded, Let Me Die in Southern California (2009). A tour and official album release were planned, but canceled due to illness. In 2018, Wurschum began recording instrumental blues/funk/jazz music, playing every instrument himself. He released three albums under the name, Looomis, (Long-Legged Highway, 2018, Butterscotch Village, and Sacred Geometry, both 2019). In 2020, a filmmaker reached out to band members for talks of a possible majority DOG documentary. Sadly, Laurel Hoffman took her own life in 2021. In 2023, The Voyces began releasing old recordings and new music once again, including a live album, Live in 2008, and a compilation of the band’s most requested music called, Songs You Asked For. In 2024, Brian Wurschum released his instrumental solo funk recordings on three different albums: Glossolalia, Looter, and Zyzxx. In 2024, The Voyces released three brand-new singles, California Skies, Call It Home, and, That’s Why We Like It. (from thevoycesmusic.com)