Meet the artists making Columbia a musical home at Compass Fest
From indie rock to neo-soul, diverse singer-songwriters to a Midwest-meets-Delta blues, the assembly at this weekend's Compass Fest will really sound and feel like Columbia.
The event, held outdoors at Rose Park, was formerly known as Local Fest and reflects the values of its organizers, Compass. The community hub offers a performing space, lessons, workshops and other programs designed to foster a holistic life in music.
Back for the first time since the pandemic's early days, the festival exists as a fundraiser for Compass' scholarship efforts; the funds offer "access to private music lessons and camps for aspiring musicians who may not be able to afford private music instruction and mentoring," according to a news release.
Compass Fest also coincides with the first anniversary of the organization's space on University Avenue. With a full day of music planned, here's a brief look at the acts ready to come together and strike a chord.
More: Newly opened Compass Music Center will be hub for concerts, private lessons in Columbia
J. ARTiz
Performing as J. ARTiz, Josh Runnels spins a silky web of soul across eras and happenings — from an appearance at the Roots N Blues festival (now Treeline Music Fest) to his own curated Soul Sessions showcase. Ever uplifting, ever stepping forward, sound waves transmit from Runnels to listeners, working their way through mind, body and, of course, soul.
Dream Squeeze
Evoking everyone from Dire Straits to The War on Drugs and The Clash, Dream Squeeze makes mature indie rock that's fully realized and fun as hell. The band weaves together guitars and synths as inseparable parts of the same fabric. And momentum — of both the melodic and rhythmic variety — is the Dream Squeeze calling card. These songs will take you somewhere familiar yet refreshing, somewhere better than before their first notes sounded.
The Royal Furs
Conventional wisdom says married partners eventually start to resemble each other. It's true of bands like The Royal Furs too. Already an established singer-songwriter in her own right, Ruth Acuff's dreamy vocals bring out the beauty in her band's lusty, Zep-like riffing and whirring psychedelic grooves; they, in turn, coax more darkness and danger from her timbre.
More: Columbia native Ellie Grace lands song on collection curated by Peter, Paul and Mary great
Ruby Lane
This Columbia quintet knows its rock 'n' roll history, flipping through its pages to sound out a timeline-crossing fusion of classic rock, grunge and blues-based momentum. The band knows how to create a radical groove, then find the right rhythmic punctuation to drive it home with certainty and appeal.
Violet and the Undercurrents
Anchored by two of Compass' principals — singer-guitarist Violet Vonder Haar and drummer Phylshawn Johnson — this truly independent outfit deftly moves in, around and through folk- and indie-rock motives, building worlds around Vonder Haar's distinctly personal yet emotionally relatable songcraft.
Also appearing
A number of other established and emerging artists will appear. They include singer-songwriter and newly minted solo artist Liv Burney, best known for her work in The Burney Sisters; local jazz luminary Augusta Cooper; standout roots-rockers The Daves; rising band Estrella; nimble, multi-talented veterans Mister Fun; young artist and Compass disciple Olyssa; thoughtful songwriter Kyren Penrose; and an appearance by the dynamic Mid-Missouri Highsteppers.
Compass Fest begins at 1 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $15; free for ages 12 and under. Learn more at https://rosemusichall.com/.
Aarik Danielsen is the features and culture editor for the Tribune. Contact him at adanielsen@columbiatribune.com or by calling 573-815-1731. He's on Twitter @aarikdanielsen.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Meet the artists making Columbia a musical home at Compass Fest
