Songs with style.
“The Philadelphia outfit Casual Fantastic return with a 3rd album and first double record, where diverse ideas that take nods to the ‘70s and ‘80s are much appreciated.” Tom Hauge, TAKE EFFECT
“It’s not every band that can create its own universe . . . with The Wingle and the Wangle, their galaxy has expanded even further.”—A.D. Amorosi, Metro Philly
“The Wingle and the Wangle alternates between Americana noir, lounge-inflected folk, straight-ahead rock, and country blues.”—Retrofuturista
“Strong storytelling and humor.” —Smalley Boggs, Phindie
Philly’s Casual Fantastic mixes up a musical brew of original rock n roll, parlor pop, lounge punk, and Americana noir. Casual and Fantastic, Casual Fantastic features songwriter Josh McIlvain on guitar and vocals with Nikitas Menotiades on stand up drums (with an old suitcase for the bass drum) and backing vocals. Formed in 2019, the two experienced performers add theatricality and humor to their bare-bones brand of music making. Their albums include The Wingle and the Wangle (2025), The Big Reveal (2023), High Voltage Fever Dream (2021), and the EP The Devil’s Dance Hall (2022).
Many musicians have contributed to Casual Fantastic’s recordings, these include: Paul Menotiades, Caleb Cliff/Sonotropic, Sam McIlvain, Mike Davis, David Burgess, Mark Wheeler, Andres Villamil, Effie Kammer, Brishen Miller, Ed McIlvain, Deborah Crocker, Jasper Hawk, and Luisa Colón.
Cover art and song art by Luisa Colón.
Venues of Concerts Past
Bath Farmers Market (Bath, ME)
The Map Room at Bowery Electric (NYC)
Caldwell Porchfest (Caldwell, NJ)
Christmas Village (Phila, PA)
Ernest & Scott Taproom (Wilmington, DE)
Free Fringe Philly Cabaret (Phila, PA)
High Point Café (Phila, PA)
Jenkintown Arts Festival (Jenkintown, PA)
Kingsland (Brooklyn, NY)
MAAS Building Studio / Cannonball Festival (Phila., PA)
Melelani’s Cafe (Phila, PA)
Mount Airy Village Fair (Phila, PA)
Mt Airy Arts Festival at Allens Lane Art Center (Philadelphia, PA)
Mount Airy Art Garage (Phila, PA)
Rockwood Music Hall (NYC, NY)
The Rusty Nail (Ardmore, PA)
Second Saturdays Chestnut Hill (Philadelphia, PA)
ShopRite (Wilmington, DE)
Tired Hands Biergarten (Philadelphia, PA)
The Way Station (Brooklyn, NY)
Weaver’s Way Co-op Chestnut Hill (Phila, PA)
Weaver’s Way Co-op Ambler (PA)
Be casual, but be fantastic!
Past love for previous musical endeavors by songwriter Josh McIlvain:
‘Outrageous, irreverent and undeniably entertaining.” Phrequency.com
“One of Philadelphia’s most eclectic, sophisticated, and clever singer-songwriters.” Origivation Magazine
“Trippy, unpredictable, lighthearted, and strange—an intriguing listen for the adventurous.” That Music Mag
“[The songs] all flow together held by a lyrical sharpness and a distinctive voice . . . good stuff.” Terrascope (UK)
Casual Fantastic 