Garrick Perry is a longtime resident of the Pioneer Valley, living in the downtown and South Street neighborhoods of Northampton for nearly 20 years. Garrick is the lead vocalist for the Alchemystics, a hip hop and reggae band that performs throughout the Valley and East Coast. He has managed multiple restaurants and venues including Race Street Live, Jackalope, Bishop's Lounge and the Iron Horse. As the father of two children in Northampton public schools, with both him and his spouse working downtown, Garrick is deeply embedded in the Northampton arts, school and business communities.

Garrick moved to the Valley in 1997 to attend Amherst college, and graduated in 2001 with degrees in both English and Psychology. Hailing from the Washington, DC metro area known as the DMV (District, Maryland, and Virginia), Garrick has a long-held passion for comic books, gaming in all forms, and music. He furthered his skills and pursued his talents while in college, especially through hip hop and reggae music performance.

From his experience growing up in the DMV, Garrick developed a strong commitment to social action and civic engagement early in life, working and volunteering with organizations focused on environmental and social justice initiatives.