Classic soul meets rock and roll in this dynamic eight-piece collective from Chicago. The Congregation features Gina Bloom, a singer whose raw and powerful vocals are underscored by Charlie Wayne’s dynamic guitar riffs, the band’s rock and soul rhythms (Dan Wendt on drums, Chuck Sansone on keys and Steve Schuster on bass) and the lively call and response of a three-piece horn section (Justin Amolsch on trumpet, Erik Eiseman on sax and Nick Nottoli on trombone). When it comes to the songwriting, you won’t find any sugarcoated love songs here–you’ll get a little bit of longing and a whole lot of wronging.

While the release of Right Now Everything marked the band’s full-length album debut, The Congregation has been steadily gaining steam since the release of its seven-song EP, Not for Sleepin’, in late 2010. The band was named by the Chicago Tribune as one of “11 Bands to Watch in 2011”, and was recently featured in Paste Magazine as one of “10 Illinois Bands You Should Listen to Now”. The Congregation’s stop-and-take-notice sound earned the group the opportunity to share a triple stadium-bill with Grammy-winning band Wilco and critically acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird as well as another all-star ballpark lineup with the Flaming Lips and Garbage in the summer of 2012. In 2013, The Congregation appeared as an official showcasing act at the SXSW Music Festival in Austin, TX and appeared on an episode of Through The Wormhole with Morgan Freeman.

The music of the Sometimes Family ranges from rock to blues, soul to doo-wop, complete with three-part harmony. Coming from varied musical backgrounds, each member brings different influences to the group, creating an eclectic mix that works unexpectedly well. Steve Schuster, originally a guitarist, plays the bass. A sensitive and accurate musician, his subtle suggestions always bear consideration. Rebecca Sometimes has never wanted more than to create good songs. A guitar player since sixth grade, her songs reflect years of dedication to the instrument. Mollie Hayward comes from a classical flute background, and has enjoyed expanding her musical ideas in the brand-new world of “being in a band.” Julius Otto began on guitar and mandolin, then found himself wanting to play more and more types of music. He began to play keyboards and percussion, eventually joining up with the Sometimes Family to add the distinctive organ sound. Drummer Phil Merker is the latest bundle of joy the stork has flown in to the arms of the Sometimes Family. .. The Sometimes Family can be sweet and delicate or gritty and soulful. Never saccharine, always unexpected, their music is a distinctive and fresh take on soul, blues, and rock. ….

Bold. Dynamic. Authentic. True… Just a few words that people use to describe them and their artistry, and yet ..ASCENDANT.. is… simply that… ascendant… rising above. Since 2000, ..ASCENDANT.. has been rising above… their critics, their fears, their obstacles and creating meaningful, soulfilled music in an era when such artistic statements just aren’t done but desperately needed. Take a listen to the soaring high notes and clever harmonies. It’s there in every soul-drenched note; every colorful chord progression; every thought provoking rhythm. ..ASCENDANT rises… and asks us all to join them in flight…