Ludo

Ludo, an alternative rock band, formed in 2003 in St. Louis, Missouri. The band’s initial lineup included lead vocalist and guitarist Andrew Volpe, lead guitarist and backup vocalist Tim Ferrell, keyboardist and backup vocalist Tim Convy, drummer and backup vocalist Matt Palermo, and bassist and backup vocalist Dave Heltibrand. Volpe and Ferrell were central to the band’s formation, with Ferrell joining while home from the University of Notre Dame and Volpe having written early songs while attending John Burroughs School. The band officially established itself in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 2002 before finalizing its rhythm section. In August 2003, Ludo released their self-titled debut album on their independent label, Redbird Records, which included early material from Volpe’s previous band, Karate Lunchbox.

Ludo gained recognition for their themed live shows, including annual concerts such as HalLUDOween, A Very Ludo Christmas, and Cinco de Mustache at venues like The Pageant in St. Louis and The Blue Note in Columbia. In 2005, the band released the EP “Broken Bride,” a rock opera detailing a man’s time-traveling efforts to prevent his wife’s death. This EP became widely popular and led to college stage adaptations. The band’s growing popularity and major label interest led to a five-album deal with Island Records in October 2006, with Redbird Records becoming an Island imprint for noncommercial releases. This partnership allowed Ludo to record their major-label debut, “You’re Awful, I Love You,” which was released in February 2008 and featured the single “Love Me Dead.” The song gained significant exposure through a live performance on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and a commercial teaser for the television series “House.” This period saw Ludo performing at major festivals and tours, including Warped Tour, Lollapalooza, and SXSW. In November 2008, original bassist Marshall Fanciullo departed, with various touring members filling the role subsequently.

In 2009, Island Records re-released Ludo’s first two albums, and the band embarked on a tour to perform “Broken Bride” in its entirety. Their third full-length album, “Prepare the Preparations,” was released on September 7, 2010, featuring the lead single “Whipped Cream.” The album reflected Volpe’s imaginative songwriting, incorporating diverse themes. After a period of hiatus in 2012 and a subsequent removal from Island Records’ roster, the band reunited for a series of sold-out “HalLUDOween” shows in St. Louis starting in 2018, celebrating their history and album anniversaries. In 2020, Ludo released their first new music in ten years, “Scare Me,” and continued to perform at special events, including a “Ludo Night” at Busch Stadium in 2022. The band has indicated ongoing activity and the potential for new music, with their song “Sara’s Song” being featured in the Netflix series “Love is Blind” in 2023.