Something Distant was formed in 2005 by vocalist/songwriter Jeff Congo. Jeff discovered his love for music and singing at a very young age. During his early college years at University of Massachusetts, he studied guitar and majored in Sound Recording Technology, and enjoyed singing and playing guitar in the local Boston based band “Last Weeks Lies.”
In June of 2000, guided by his drive for musical chemistry, Jeff moved to Jacksonville, Florida where he met local singer/songwriter/producer Lu Rubino (Story Side B, Monkey the Fish, Flock of Seaguls). 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.”
The early few years brought the band several line-up changes. However, the current lineup of “Something Distant” (Chris Condon – Drums, Evan Cameron – Lead Guitar, Jason Ramsey- Bass) holds the magic, chemistry, and connection Jeff had been searching for. “The name "Something Distant" seemed to be the theme for me trying to start this band. I have 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 deeply 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 that creative magic and connection that many bands never find."
In 2008 the band released their self titled debut album, and saw some national success when their single “The Real Me,” was featured by Julie Hadden (The Biggest Loser, Season 4) on her weight loss transformation video. Julie also quoted inspirational lines from the song in her book “Fat Chance: Losing Weight, Gaining My Worth.”
Since 2005, Something Distant has shared the stage with many talented acts such as Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Molley Hatchet, Fit For Rivals, Yellow Card, Tony Scozarro, Big 10-4, Hollywood Love Scene, Ben Robinson and many others. On July 4th, 2010 MWR brought the band to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (GTMO) to play an Independence Day show for the American Military troops stationed at the base. “It was our way of saying thank you for all that you do,” says drummer Chris Condon. “We were able to bring our troops a little piece of home, and remind them of how much we value their service and their sacrifice.”
The band is currently in the studio with producer Lu Rubino working on their sophomore album. “We are just really excited to be writing and recording again,” says singer Jeff Congo. “We have kept busy over the last couple years playing local bar cover shows. It keeps us tight as a band and allows the perfect arena to try out new songs.” The band anticipates the album to be ready by fall 2011, and predicts a more edgy sound. “I think this new record will be a little different than the first,” says Congo. “It’s more mature sounding. I write about what’s passionate to me, and this record I feel will paint a good picture of where I’ve been or what I’ve seen and experienced over the last few years. It took me a little while, but I feel I’m in a place now where I’m ready to share that.”