Something Distant was formed by vocalist/songwriter Jeff Congo. His career got started in Boston fronting the band "Last Week's Lies." Guided by his drive for musical chemistry, he moved to Jacksonville, Florida. It wasn't long before he met local singer/songwriter/producer Lu Rubino (Story Side B, Monkey the Fish, Flock of Seaguls). Lu produced some of the songs featured here on our website.
The last year has brought the band successful shows at Jack Rabbits, Freebird Live, among other venues. Something Distant got the opportunity to play at the Jacksonville Landing during Super Bowl XXXIX celebrations and a headlining spot during the 2006 FL Gators vs GA Bulldogs "worlds largest cocktail party." More recently the band has shared the stage with such bands as RED, Ben Robinson, and Universal Recording Artist "Big10-4."
The current band lineup has several years of experience playing for well known national recording artists as well as local bands in the South East area. Wes Arvin- lead guitar- has had the honor of playing with Carlos Santana, and is mentioned on Carlos' website. "Arvin, Wesley Jacksonville, FL, Times Union Center PAC, "Maggot Brain," May 3, - 1997," Jon Kretzer - Drums- has toured with a number of coutry artists including Faith Hill.
Jeff Congo :
vocals and guitar
Born on December 19th in Methuen, MA, Jeff discovered his love for music at a very young age. During his fourth grade year of school, he was accepted to the Holy Rosary Boys Choir School in Lawrence, MA, where he studied piano, vocals, and performing under the conduction of David Bergeron. That same year, the boys Choir had the privilege of performing at Tangelwood Music Center in Lenox, MA under the world famous conductor Seigi Osawa, and also traveled to New York City for an number of other performances.
During his early college years at University of Massachusetts, Jeff studied guitar and Sound Recording Technology, and enjoyed singing and playing guitar in the local Boston based band “Last Weeks Lies.” The band played some rough gigs in the local bars around town. "I think our signatures are still on the wall at “The Sad Café” in Plaistow, NH!"
In June of 2000 Jeff moved to Jacksonville, FL where he met and quickly joined forces with singer, song writer, producer Lu Rubino (Story Side B). Although Lu was busy working on his own project, www.storysideb.com, the two began working and writing together. In addition to collaborating with Rubino, Jeff also joined creative forces with musician, songwriter Iker “Robin” Saldivar. Working with Rubino and Saldivar was where Jeff found the musical guidance and inspiration he needed to move forward with his own music career and the combination was the spark needed to create the beginning of “Something Distant.” Though Rubino’s work on his own project, and geographical distance with Saldivar made forming a band with the trio difficult, Jeff needed to find other talents to fill the voids, yet still continues to collaborate with Rubino and Saldivar.
Although the band went through several lineup changes, the current lineup of “Something Distant” holds the magic, chemistry, and connection Jeff had been searching for. “The name "Something Distant" to me was like the theme for me trying to start this band. I had the privilege of meeting so many talented musicians and some really great people through the process, but it seemed almost impossible to get four guys to commit to the same direction musically. Everyone seemed to take a right or a left turn at some point along the way. I was beginning to feel that my opportunity to see this band become successful was some distant chance...Hence "something distant." I feel that with the current lineup however, we have really found the magic and connection that many bands never find."
Likes: Every moment with my beautiful son Dylan, Pizza (any kind!), the color Red, being in the recording studio, football, girls who can talk football, red wine, Italian food, My Golden Retriever "Jersey," Starbucks, palm trees, warm weather, and bikinis,
Dislikes: FORD!!, Rain, traffic, early morning hours, white wine, Cats, cold weather, spiders, finding hair in your food,
Jon Kretzer:
drums
Jonathan Kretzer was attracted to drumming at an early age but didn't begin formal lessons until age 15. He still takes occasional lessons and is dedicated in learning more about his instrument and music in general. Just out of high school, and while in college, he started playing for local country singer George Whittaker II. From playing local clubs to opening acts for Faith Hill, Diamond Rio, and many others he quickly learned by seeing how some of the "big guys" did their their thing. Jonathan has also played in several cover bands playing a variety of styles. Though inspired from a wide range of musical genres he always strives to play for the music.
Likes: Music, drumming, movies, books, pasta, mexican food, boobies, his cat, animals, snowboarding, the beach, the tropics, vacations.
Dislikes: Work, stupid people, bad drivers, terrorists, waiting in line, smelly bathrooms.
Wes Arvin:
lead guitars
Wes began his musical peregrination at the tender age of five. By age seven, his tenacious exuberance earned him regular performances around the Jacksonville area. He expanded his musical IQ by attending the performing arts schools, Landon and Douglas Anderson. He ventured forward onto college, where he attended Jacksonville University and earned his Bachelor’s of Music in Musical Performance, graduating Cum Laude. Currently, Wes is teaching privately and is working on endorsements with D’Addario strings and Washburn Guitars. His untitled solo record is highly anticipated by Wes’ fan-base. He performs regularly with Something Distant and New Life at Park Street. Wes is very humble and can be easily embarrassed if you ask him about the time he played with Santana when he was eleven years old. He is also temperamental. Do not ask him to play “Sweet Home Alabama” or “Freebird”, because he will give you a free bird, if you get my drift. Wes enjoys playing rock, country, jazz, and blues.
Likes: Ryan (his fiancee. No, he is not getting gay married) ,coffee, happy hour, mexican food, poodles, golden retrievers, Mazdas, music (no brainer), Wally World, tropical paradises, vacations, laughing, red
Dislikes: black olives, Ugg boots, extremely partisan people, stupid people, the West Side (his hometown!), poop, being hungry, arising before 9am, singers
John Palmer:
bass
Born in: Ohio
Influences: Charlie Hunter, John Coltrane, Van Morrison, John Paul Jones, Jeff Tweedy, John Stirratt and many others.
Currently listening to: Wilco, The Kooks, Fleet Foxes, Ben Harper
Family: wife named Patti (who wasn't mentioned on the liner notes of the album and I'm still hearing about it!), 6 year old son Drew and 2 year old daughter Kate.
Other bands I've been a part of: Ohio - Euphoria, Flat Stanely. Florida - Squall, Swiss Army Band and Dial 9.
Little Known fact: My grandfather Anthony Foderaro's barber shop quartet sang on a Cleveland radio station in the 1920's. He was an accomplished violinist and pianist. I own one of his hand crafted violins that he made for all his grandchildren.
Music goals: to heal people through music (or at least give them some good music to listen to while swilling a few beers!)