Snacktime Serves Up Horns, Humor & Heart at Boston Calling
How the pop-up street band turned mainstage charm into a full-blown party
photo credit: Alive Coverage | Boston Calling
Fresh off free sets in Rittenhouse Square, Philly’s genre-bending horn-driven crew stopped by Boston Calling to deliver soul, jazz, punk and hip-hop all in one irresistible package - and shared the story behind the name that is as fun as their sound.
Despite a weekend forecast that read more like a dare than a plan, Boston Calling powered through drizzle, wind, and moody skies. The crowd came layered up and ready - and Snacktime rewarded the effort with a brass-fueled burst of sunshine that cut right through the gray.
Philadelphia-based brass-funk collective formed in August 2020. Core members include:
• Yesseh Furaha-Ali – vocals, alto sax, percussion
• Sam Gellerstein – sousaphone
• Austin Marlow – drums
• Larry Monroe Jr. – guitar
• Eric Sherman – trumpet, guitar
• Michael Spearman – trombone, keyboards
• Ben Stocker – tenor sax
*Interview by Stacey Sao, BostonCentral*
Published: May 28, 2025
I’m here at Boston Calling with Snacktime - just caught their set on the Green Stage, and it was so good. I sat down with the band and we dove into the music, the tour, and how it’s all feeling right now...
By Sunday, Snacktime had landed at #3. He was excited to hear I'd be interviewing Snacktime, and filmed a quick video message from him to the band. They lit up when I shared it with them, and that energy carried straight into our conversation.
photo credit: BostonCentral
BostonCentral: I know you got your start in Philly during the pandemic. How did that raw energy come together to shape the band?
Snacktime: It all came out of necessity—there were no gigs, no shows, and we were itching to play real music with each other again. It wasn’t about the money, it was about that visceral feeling of connection through music. We started playing in the park, and what began with ten people eventually turned into crowds of 300-400. That energy was everything.
“It wasn’t about the money, it was about that visceral feeling of connection through music.”
BostonCentral: So how did the group form before that?
Snacktime: We were all working musicians—weddings, events, jazz bands, sessions. Most of us went to school for music and just crossed paths through gigs. When the pandemic hit and the streets shut down, Sam said, "Let’s just play outside." People needed something joyful, and we had it.
By the way, Yesseh (Furaha-Ali), our vocalist and saxophonist, attended Berklee College of Music here in Boston (on Presidential Scholarship!) - so this city has always felt like part of the journey. It's great to be here.
photo credit: Alive Coverage | Boston Calling
BostonCentral: Snacktime is such a fun name. What's the story behind it—and what’s your ultimate Philly snack?
Snacktime: The name came from an event Sam started before the pandemic—a food and music experience. You bought a ticket and got a meal from a local chef and a live show. That got shut down by COVID, but when we hit the streets again, we kept the name. Snacktime is the intersection of food, community, and music. We live that.
As for favorite Philly snacks? Cheesesteaks, water ice, pretzels, Cubanos from Middle Child- you name it. Snacktime is a mindset, not just a snack.
(*Bonus moment: The band lit up when they learned that 🍕 Sally’s Pizza at the festival. “Wait, New HAVEN Sally’s?!” one of them asked, eyes wide. They made plans to head straight for the booth once interviews wrapped.)
“There’s no time to second guess, so you trust your band and the music.”
BostonCentral: How was playing Boston Calling today? Any surprises?
Snacktime: It was great. That rotating stage was wild! But yeah, these kinds of festivals are like: you hop on, hope the sound's right, and go. There's no time to second guess, so you trust your band and the music. And we had some fans out there cheering us on—made it feel right.
BostonCentral: Your music pulls from soul, funk, jazz, punk, and hip-hop. How do you decide what direction each song goes in?
Snacktime: It just flows. We all come from different musical backgrounds, but we share a core of influences. Music is about feeling—we follow what feels right. It's a musical soup made from a lot of flavors, and we love how it all comes together.
“It’s a musical soup made from a lot of flavors, and we love how it all comes together.”
BostonCentral: So when you work on a new song, what's your process like?
Snacktime: Usually someone brings a demo or a top line, and once the band gets a hold of it, it becomes a Snacktime song. The way Austin plays drums or Mike plays keys—you can't replicate that with MIDI. Everyone brings their own interpretation, and it just becomes something alive.
BostonCentral: You’ve played everywhere from Rittenhouse Square to Union Transfer to Sixers games. What’s been your most unexpected or surreal gig?
Snacktime: Two come to mind: We were the house band for Jason Kelce’s late-night talk show on ESPN, which came from our work with his nonprofit. And Red Rocks—we played there with Portugal. The Man last year. Sharing their set and being part of that space was unforgettable. They’re like family now.
BostonCentral: Any new music people should check out?
Snacktime: Yes! We have a song out called "Sunshine" and more to come. It’s been fun finding our sound in the studio as much as on stage.
Snacktime: We’ll be touring with Fitz and the Tantrums this summer—and you can catch us right here in Boston at the House of Blues on August 18, 2025.
This song, “Sunshine” hit just right during their Boston Calling set - there was a brief moment when the clouds seemed to part, and the crowd lit up with them. Maybe it really did bring out a little sun on that gray festival day.
🎤 That’s a wrap on this one. Thanks, Snacktime!
📌 More Snacktime
• New single: “Sunshine” – out now
• On tour with Fitz and the Tantrums – Summer 2025
• Follow: @snacktimephilly
• Listen: snacktimephilly.com
*On a personal note: I really connected with Yesseh, Sam, Austin, Larry, Eric, Michael & Ben. We had a lot of fun in the interview tent — I wish I had had more time to hang with them!
I'm excited to follow their music and hope to see them play in Boston again at House of Blues in August. Currently I've got the following Snacktime songs on heavy rotation:
Sunshine \ Together
Blue skies ahead, guys! Thanks for taking the time to chat. :)
photo credit & interview by BostonCentral at Boston Calling 2025. Follow us for more artist stories, music discoveries, and local flavor from the festival circuit.
~~Stacey Sao has been the Managing Director of the family-friendly events and activities website, BostonCentral for well over 20 years. She continues to enjoy discovering and exploring new places to visit, performances and new music in the Greater Boston area.