Bryan Ford is a multi-genre producer, songwriter and instrumentalist who's sharpened his composition and production skills over a 25+ year career as a behind-the-scenes composer and musician, releasing music as himself, Lake Street Project, B. Ford, Terry Swank, Tusk 57, and various collaborations. He's produced for and collaborated with various artists such as Pugs Atomz, Wu-tang alum Killah Priest, Masters At Work, Grammy-nominee Marshall Gilkes, Pseudo Slang, MC Tree, J Boogie, Chris Crack, Family Tree, Awdazcate, Glenn Underground, Peven Everett, Roy Davis Jr., Stacy Kidd, Andre Harris, and Meg Lee Chin of Pigface. Bryan has released numerous EPs and performed on various well-received singles and albums across the musical spectrum. He's appeared on compilations alongside several well-known artists such as Jazzanova, Thievery Corporation, Mark Farina, J Boogie Dubtronic Science, Kruder & Dorfmeister and others.
After spending several years fronting and touring with the Colorado based acid-funk band Isabelle Haze, in 1998 he moved to Chicago and into a loft space on a block of Lake Street that would become famous in Chicago's underground lore. Members of the band My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult lived in the loft next door, the band The Last Vegas who toured with Mötley Crüe lived one floor down, and a series of other artists and promoters from genres as diverse as hip hop, house, techno, breakbeat, punk, blues, and rock cycled through the lofts on the 600 block of Lake Street. The loft scene on the 600 block of Lake Street during the late 90s and 2000's was a vibrant melting pot of different underground music styles.
In 2000 Bryan began playing guitar for Meg Lee Chin, the former lead singer/songwriter for Pigface. Between tour dates across opening for My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult and Martin Atkins’ Damage Manual across the U.S., Bryan began collaborating in the studio with fellow Lake Street loft residents, Jeremiah Seraphine, Monna Samuka, and Kevin Ford on deep house music as part of the Lake Street Project. Their studio sessions would produce the Billboard Club Play hit, Forever, spending more than 10 weeks on the chart.
In 2004, Bryan co-founded Revolutionary Music, with longtime collaborator and friend Jeremiah Seraphine. Soon after they founded the label, they converted a loft on the familiar 600 block of Lake Street into an underground music venue called the Safe House. The Safe House showcased DJs and performers from all over the world to a close knit late night crowd. The venue ran for more than 3 years.
At the Safe House, Bryan began developing his own sound of electronic music that drew on all the varied influences around him. He collaborated with fellow producer and multi-instrumentalist Geoff Gilkes to perform his new sound live. They called themselves Bryan Ford & Goulet. They quickly gained momentum and a dedicated following. Their last show was a sold out show opening for RJD2 at the Metro in Chicago.
Since 2011, Bryan has released the EPs Moniker, Shoe Tree, and Hands, and his songs and remixes have appeared on numerous compilations. His music was released on the compilation Prive': The Lounge Anthology along with artists Jazzanova, Jose Padilla, and J Boogie’s Dubtronic Science and licensed on Universal Music’s compilation High Society: Haute. Several of his songs also appeared on the Revolutionary Music Presents Organica Lounge compilation.
In 2015, Bryan began collaborating with Wu-Tang alum Killah Priest and Chicago hip-hop stalwarts Pugs Atomz, and Awdazcate. He released For the Future of Hip Hop in May 2016 featuring this trio of MCs. Bryan released the instrumental version of the album in October 2016. He also co-wrote and produced an EP with vocalist Darcy M entitled Here With Me in August 2017. In November 2017, Bryan remixed the song Reve by Inner City Sound Clash featuring French hip-hop duo, Naiad. In 2020, Bryan founded 600 Block Records, an alternative hip-hop, soul, and jazz record label, with Pugs Atomz and Jeremiah Seraphine. As Tusk57, Bryan produced 5 of the 9 songs on Pugs Atomz’s 2021 release, Test Drive feat. Rockie Fresh, Killah Priest, Chris Crack and others. He released the Mystery Channel EP with Wu-Tang alum Killah Priest in August 2023, featuring remixes by Tall Black Guy. Bryan is due to complete another full length album in 2024.