Theo Katzman

Theo Katzman (born April 2, 1986) is an American multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known as a founding member of the funk band Vulfpeck and for his work as a solo artist. His musical style is a fusion of pop, jazz, funk, and indie rock. He founded the independent record label Ten Good Songs. He has recorded with and contributed to the works of several artists including Michelle Chamuel, Tyler Duncan, May Erlewine, Teddy Geiger, Benjamin Jaffe, Jacob Jeffries, Rett Madison, and Antwaun Stanley. Katzman has released four studio albums, with his latest Be the Wheel released in March 2023.

Early life and education Katzman grew up in a musical family in Manhasset, New York. He attended Manhasset High School. His father, Lee Katzman, was a jazz trumpet player and would take him to rehearsals at an early age. When he was about twelve he started playing drums, guitar, and writing songs. In 2004, Katzman moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan and studied jazz at the University of Michigan.

Career In 2005, he joined the instrumental group Toolbox which evolved into the band Ella Riot. Katzman toured with the band from 2007 to 2010. In late 2011, he moved to Brooklyn and released music videos for two of his songs, "Hard For You" and "Brooklyn". In 2012, he opened for several artists including Vanessa Carlton, Matisyahu, and Vienna Teng. In 2013, he was the musical director and the opening act for Darren Criss on his national tour, Listen Up, and released a single titled "Pop Song".

Katzman released a single titled "Hard Work" in October 2016. Katzman's second studio album Heartbreak Hits was released in January 2017. According to Katzman, the album's concept was about heartbreak and loss. A review by Lee Zimmerman noted the album's "upbeat" tone despite the underlying lyrical concept.

In October 2019, Katzman released a single titled "You Could Be President", a preview of his third studio album Modern Johnny Sings: Songs in the Age of Vibe. In December 2019, Katzman released two EPs of three songs each from the upcoming full-length album. These EPs were thematically organized, and were titled Modern Johnny Tackles the Issues and Modern Johnny Wallows in Introspection and Gently Goes Mad. The full album was released in January 2020 under the label Ten Good Songs.

Katzman released his fourth studio album, Be The Wheel, in March 2023. The album was recorded live to tape at Cinnamon Ranch, Katzman's studio in Michigan. Katzman released four songs, including the title track, as singles before the release of the full album. He also formally announced his record label, Ten Good Songs, for recordings and productions by Theo Katzman. In 2023, Ten Good Songs released both Be The Wheel and an album by May Erlewine titled The Real Thing. In 2025, Katzman released a single through Ten Good Songs titled Rome Wasn't Built in a Day

Style Katzman grew up listening to classic rock and soul music. The band has released four EPs and six studio albums.

Discography Albums Studio albums Solo albums Title Album details Romance Without FinanceReleased: November 15, 2011 Label: Self-released Format: CD, digital download Heartbreak HitsReleased: January 6, 2017 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download, streaming Modern Johnny Sings: Songs in the Age of VibeReleased: January 10, 2020 Label: Ten Good Songs Format: Digital download, streaming Be the WheelReleased: March 10, 2023 Label: Ten Good Songs Format: Digital download, streaming

with Ella Riot Title Album details DancethinkReleased: October 11, 2009 Label: Self-released Format: CD, digital download

with Vulfpeck Title Label: Ten Good Songs Format: Vinyl, digital download, streaming

Extended plays TitleAlbum details Solo AcousticReleased: 2010 Label: Self-released Format: CD, digital download Theo Katzman on Audiotree LiveReleased: 2018 Label: Audiotree Format: Digital download, streaming Modern Johnny Tackles the IssuesReleased: December 6, 2019 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download, streaming Modern Johnny Wallows in Introspection and Gently Goes MadReleased: December 20, 2019 Label: Ten Good Songs Format: Digital download, streaming

Singles As lead artist

As featured artist

Production and writing credits