Apes of the State

Apes of the State is an independent folk-pop-punk band from Lancaster, PA. 

Born from a singer/songwriter project “Apes” by frontperson April Hartman, they played their first show together as a band in November 2015 and have since recorded one full length album, This City Isn't Big Enough, and completed two national tours, playing 56 shows across 48 cities in the spring and summer of 2016. 

Their sound is very lyrical and melody driven, influenced by storyteller singer/songwriters such as Paul Baribeau and Everyone Except Me. Apes of the State takes the simplicity and straightforward, emotional writing style of these influences and combines it with the drive and power of a full acoustic band, made up of Dan Ebersole on the mandolin/guitar, Mollie Swartz on the violin, Colin Grandstaff on the harmonica/percussion, and April Hartman on the guitar/lead vocals. Their sound is under constant evolution but is deeply rooted in punk rock, folk, and bluegrass. It uniquely stands out among all of these genres, often relying on catchy lyrical hooks reminiscent of 90's pop punk--but speaking a new message to a new generation of millennials. As a band, they are driven by DIY ethics with a goal of helping as many people as possible with their music. They sing songs about whatever makes them feel things, like love, heartbreak, student loan debt, regret, and overcoming addiction.