10 QUESTIONS: The Congress
The Congress is split — between Colorado and Virginia
By Eric Frank and The Congress’s Matthew Fritz
1. How did The Congress first come to be?
It started out as an open mic that Jonathan and I ran together in Richmond. We had 4 original songs that we would mess around with: "Impatiently", "Minutes", "Long Way to Go", and "Ten Years Gone". Those would all go on to make it on our self titled EP in 2010, when both of us had moved to Denver and started trying this whole thing out.
2. What would you be doing if you weren't full-time musicians? Would you have done anything differently, given the chance?
Who knows. For me, probably either involved in law or language. Wouldn't do anything different besides maybe get started a little earlier.
3. Many fans of COjam are themselves musicians, so they know the trials and tribulations inherent to a band that is just getting started. What were some of yours?
I think most of the trials have been after we got started. It was a relatively short time before we got picked up by a booking agency, and we've just been working hard on not coasting too much since then. Taking it up a notch, regularly. That's the goal and the challenge for keeping everything as far from complacent as possible.
4. What is your favorite road-story?
I would tell you, but I'd have to kill you.
5. What music influences you as a band? As individuals?
The catch-all answer of, "all kinds of stuff and everything," definitely applies, as it does to everyone, so I think the more pertinent question would be what are we listening to right now, or for the past year or two. Top of my personal list right now: Donny Hathaway, Four Tops, MMJ, Drive-by Truckers, Wilco, The Eagles, Jackson Browne, Willie Nelson, and most recently A Love Supreme [John Coltrane]. Also, the Big Chill soundtrack on cassette often stays on repeat in my vehicle.
6. You recently returned to your home state of Virginia on your "Keep Virginia Tour". How has your hometown reacted to your departure for Colorado?
Well, "The Congress" (a completely different lineup besides Jonathan and I) only played one show before we left, so there never really was much comparison, besides the open mic situation. Virginia has always been good to us, we fill venue capacity every time we play Richmond. It is always amazing, and folks there are incredibly supportive of what we're doing.
7. How does the Colorado music scene differ from others'? From Virginia?
The first thing I noticed here is that there is a whole lot of work. It is much easier to make a living playing music in Colorado than anywhere else in the country. As far as musical differences, the Richmond scene is definitely heavily rooted in soul music. You don't see that as much here, which has been a little difficult to adjust to. The best difference, though, lies in the fact that music fans and listeners in Colorado have big open ears to good music, and everyone is extremely open-minded and interested in seeking out new bands. I think this town provides hope for the future and sustainability of independent music.
8. The Loft Tapes EP was released on April 16th. Explain the recording process and what makes this EP different for The Congress.
Well, it is a record of old R&B covers. Arrangement-wise, the tunes kind of morphed over time in little side project gigs that the three of us had been playing with Chris Speasmaker (who played keys on the record). Recording-wise, this record was completely different, as we did all of the recording ourselves live, straight into a 1/4" reel-to-reel tape machine. It was recorded in a big masonic lodge in the same room, and we just did what we always do live. It definitely set the tone for our next original record, in my opinion.
9. What, to you, makes music relevant?
Universal language, everyone gets it. It's all the other stuff in life that I have trouble finding relevant. .
10. What's next for The Congress?
We're writing for a new The Congress record at the moment, and in the meantime we're hitting the road and are going to be recording a couple records with some other bands. We just finished Robby Peoples' record a couple months ago, and are working on a couple other Colorado acts' records shortly. Also, we're on and off the road constantly.