Samuel T. Herring

Frontman of the Baltimore-based synthpop band Future Islands, Herring is known for his spirited live performances and a voice that can go from a melodic mid-range to a guttural growl.

Born in the Carteret County, NC, Herring started rapping at freestyle battles and cyphers during his 8th grade, encouraged by his brother Joel and inspired by West Coast undeground hip-hop.

Despite wanting to become an emcee, while studying Arts at the East Carolina University in Greenville NC, he met William Cashion and they both formed the art performance band Art Lord & the Self-Portraits in 2003. Amongst other members, Herring’s best friend from high school Gerrit Welmers also joined in.

When Art Lord & the Self-Portraits disbanded in late 2005, Welmers, Cashion and Herring, along with drummer Erick Murillo formed Future Islands in early 2006. He is also a member of the Baltimore band The Snails, which he formed in 2008 with William Cashion.

Herring has focused on Future Islands' career, but continued performing rap: with his brother Joel as Flesh Epic, collaborating with other hip-hop artists under the moniker Hemlock Ernst and, in 2015, by teaming up with producer Madlib for a project under the name Trouble Knows Me.