Recent winners of the 2003 “Blitz Local Stuff Rumble,” local band Soma is finally receiving some overdue accolades.
Soma competed against more than 40 other Columbus-area bands, advancing to the finals on Nov. 9. With the support and votes from the fans in attendance, they beat out Central Ohio heavy hitters Semisextile and Superfreak to win the audience-decided contest. For Soma’s lead singer, John Black, winning this type of contest is important.
“To come out and put on a good show and have the people like what we’re doing is a great feeling,” Black said.
Following the victory, the band hosted an after-party at the band’s campus home to celebrate and pick up the music where they left off.
Between the contest and the band’s growing popularity, Black and keyboardist Justin Roth said they feel optimistic and confident in the band’s future.
“We feel that we are producing a unique sound and people are responding to something fresh,” Roth said.
The band often mixes up its set between originals and covers offering renditions of Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” or a tune from soul crooner Lionel Richie.
With such a wide spectrum of influences feeding this band’s creativity, each original song has a different origin with a varying tempo and mood that works within their self-described ambient-progressive-alternative style.
The uniqueness of the band lies in the sum of its parts. It begins with the driving rhythm section of Marcus Wilson on drums and Matt Wilson, the aggressive and animated bassist.
The two musicians are versatile enough to form the backbone to nearly any style of music. Guitarist Brian Hughes along with keyboardist Roth push the limits from sweeping melodic songs to straight rock or blues.
Taking the lead position and steering this menagerie of sound is Black, who sings with emotion and conviction, and reaches out into the audience, bringing the listener into the scenario of every song. His voice is like a roller coaster rising and falling as it speeds along the racing melodies constructed by his fellow bandmates.
They continue to hone their sound and hope to become a Columbus favorite, eventually spreading their music across North America, according to their Web site, www.somareal.com.
Samples of their music are available on the site, including tracks from their newest release and fourth studio album, “Real.”
The 11-track record eases in and out of each song in a connective fashion and explores sounds ranging from classical to a laid-back R&B style. The band is pleased with their latest effort and it feels the new material translates well to its live show.
Touring has taken the band throughout the state and across the Midwest. The band will play alongside Closer than Far and AliasX Nov. 21 at the Alrosa Villa. The band will take to the road soon after for a show Dec. 4 at Howard’s in Bowling Green, Ohio.
