If Bluegrass comes from Kentucky and Blues is from Memphis, where does Jam Band music come from? If you’re a Lotus fan, it comes from Indiana.
Lotus formed at Goshen College in 1999 and quickly gained fans with their synth-y, electronic take on Jam. It’s that kind of attitude that has earned Lotus a Jammy Award and an award from Guitar Magazine for Best Live Album. Luckily for them (and us), the Jam scene attaches to bands for the vibe they create, not the instruments they use. All that really matters is that it makes you feel like dancing. Jam bands are about letting loose and having fun, whether the members are rocking banjos and mandolins or samplers and synthesizers.
For Lotus, dressing up is also fun. While usually you’ll find Mike Greenfield, Mike Rempel, Luke Miller, Jesse Miller and Chuck Morris in street clothes, sometimes they like to surprise their audiences by coming up with costume themes for the night. From David Bowie to robots to members of the “27 Club” (celebrities who died at the age of 27), Lotus has found ways to pay unique tributes to some of their favorite songs and artists — costumes included.
Wigs and platform shoes or jeans and sneakers — it ultimately makes no difference with Lotus. Expect good music no matter the dress code.
LOTUS plays at the Madison Theater Tuesday, Feb. 14 with guest SKEETONES. Buy tickets, check out performance times and get venue details here.
