Jam bands perform at 123 tonight

123 Pleasant Street is set to host a pair of jam bands tonight when The Bridge and Cornmeal take the stage at the downtown venue beginning at 9 p.m.

Based out of Chicago, progressive bluegrass group Cornmeal will be making its first appearance in Morgantown for tonight’s show, but the group is familiar with West Virginia and the area’s diverse music.

"West Virginia is a great state with some of the most beautiful country in world," said Cornmeal drummer J.P. Nowak. "We’ve never performed in Morgantown, but we have been around the state. The people of West Virginia have been great, and they are always down for a good time."

With influences spanning the entire music spectrum, Cornmeal comes into Morgantown showcasing its unique style of music, which has been referred to as progressive bluegrass – a sound which Nowak says has come from numerous directions.

"Our music tends to span many different genres," Nowak said. "We range anywhere from rock to reggae, but we utilize bluegrass as a pallet for our music. There is also a lot of improvisation on stage which tends to add to the experience."

According to Nowak, a venue such as 123 Pleasant Street also helps to expand that experience, not only for the band but for the audience.

"It’s such a great experience playing in the smaller, more intimate venues," Nowak said. "There’s a lot less pressure than being on a larger stage. The band is more comfortable, and in turn the performance tends to be a lot more enjoyable for the audience."

And with the audience into the show, Nowak says it is hard to imagine what will occur on stage.

"We are a high energy group that likes to put on a high energy performance," Nowak said. "When we’re performing we love to see the audience dancing and enjoying the show, so we like to bring about a great environment on stage for this to happen."

Joining Cornmeal on stage is Baltimore-based jam band The Bridge. The two bands are currently on tour together, which was put together following a performance in Pittsburgh last year.

"It’s been a blast so far," Nowak said. "We’ve been playing some great shows and venues lately and we hope to continue this streak in Morgantown."

The Bridge and Cornmeal are set to perform at 123 Pleasant Street tonight beginning at 9 pm. Tickets are $12.
 

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