Playing Sunday beginning at Noon
The Congress (Soul, Americana, Rock) -
Initially formed by guitarist Scott Lane and vocalist/guitarist Jonathan Meadows, The Congress blends feel-good American music and authentic Southern R&B to produce a fresh Rock sound in an industry of puzzling sub-genres. The group's sound is carried by the true strength of Meadows' tenor voice, which glides over a decidedly modern groove with a nod to the vintage Virginia traditions that seep from their lyrics. The Congress's live shows are a fluid amalgamation of genre bending music that can transport a listener from the intersection of Haight-Ashbury to the bruyant bustle of the French Quarter. Head north toward the Mason-Dixon and you'll find The Congress sipping on whiskey in Appalachia. The band manages to achieve this sound in a delicate and concise way, embracing improvisation and resolve, leading to a polished, worldly and song-driven mentality that connects with a diverse cross section of fans on a deeply fundamental level. After the band, the studio, & the engineer was established, Meadows called upon friend, musical ally and wunderkind, Daniel Clarke (Ryan Adams, Mandy Moore, KD Lang) to co-produce and play Hammond B-3 and piano on the upcoming session. The result is a stunningly lush and diverse seven-song EP that captures the group in its creative infancy but clearly displays an unlimited potential for crafting American music at its finest. Receiving international recognition even prior to its release, the song, "Back Where You Are" was chosen to air on CNN as part of a world-wide fundraising campaign to aid relief efforts for the devastation caused by the massive earthquake in Haiti.