Ultimately, The Congress is a band that shows reverence for their roots through both cohesion and creativity.
“It’s hard to pigeonhole us one way or the other,” says guitarist/vocalist Scott Lane. “We do what comes naturally, with a lot of focus on song and arrangement, and very little on genre. We’re not great at putting ourselves in one box.”

That’s borne out on The Game, even on an initial listen. From the mournful sway of “Home Again” and “Farewell,” to the jazzy, soulful sound evident in “When I Got the Time,” it’s clear The Congress is as versatile as it is unpredictable. The slow, steady glide of “Poison and Antidote” and “This Ain’t Livin’” finds a perfect mesh with spry rockers like “Ain’t It Easy,”  “September” and the title track, ensuring a subtle change in tone and tempo throughout.

In this interview, we chat with drummer Raphael Katchinoff about the band’s influences, their newest project and more.

Full Q&A, links and the video for Home Again below.

Let’s dive a little deeper into You, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre(s) or style(s)?

To me, music is a reflection of the story and vibrations of cultures that produce it. From the African diaspora that carried the rhythms of the world’s cradle to the melting pots across the Americas, I’ve constantly gravitated towards the music whose roots grew from that forced migration. Within that chaos rose my favorite genre, the Blues, which to me is the heartbeat of 20th century American music. I think the guys in the band and myself are always being drawn to that very magnetism that flows through jazz, bluegrass, soul music, RnB, funk, psychedelia and rock ‘n roll. A heavy portion of that which overflows in the musically rich riverbeds of Richmond, Virginia.

How long have you been creating and sharing your music with the public?

I have been lucky to have had parents who saw a spark in me around middle school and got me started on drums about sixteen years ago. My first bands started around then but I didn’t really start to pursue playing until sophomore year of high school with the school jazz band. At that same time I started a garage-rock punk band called The Milkstains with my good friend John Sizemore, we still play gigs and record music to this day. The Congress has been around for about seven years, and I’ve recently joined in January so I’ve been with them for eight months.

Who or what influences your playing and/or writing? Also, what motivates you to keep going?

I originally went to college for painting and printmaking at VCU, but always had music and drumming be a vital part of that creative process. I feel the basis of music comes down to the vibrations it emanates when it is being played. When I’m feeling inspired to play or to write or to paint, it usually comes from my surroundings. Nature is a big inspiration, daydreaming of the past and the future, but a scene on a street corner here in downtown Richmond influences me just as much.

I think what motivates me to continue is the bonds that are created by playing music whether with other musicians or meeting new people through music, either at, during or after shows and music festivals. Sometimes lifelong friendships are created and to me that is a very rewarding facet of the process.

Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?

Since I’m the new addition to the group I can’t comment too much on the new record, other than I know the guys split time between the home bases of Denver and Richmond to record it, and for me I can hear that yearning of being home in those songs.

But joining The Congress to me has been a culmination of some years of hard work, some brilliantly good times and even hardships. It boils down to being lucky enough to be part of such an awesome music scene here in Richmond which is growing at a mind blowing rate everyday. There are seriously new bands, acts and projects being formed daily. I actually knew Jon Meadows and Scott Lane years ago, before they left for Denver when they started an Open Mic in town at Emilio’s. They ran it and after some time they gave me the seat to be the house drummer. Because of that I was able to form a strong friendship with those guys prior to their moving.

Being at a musical gathering week in and week out I was able to be a part of the creation of a few bands, including The People’s Blues of Richmond which formed AT that open mic, as well as The Southern Belles. Both bands are full of guys I consider brothers and I’m proud to see them touring and writing original music to this very day. I think what a lot of folks here in Richmond are doing is cultivating a strong sense of community, especially with the formation of the great Indie radio station WRIR 97.3 FM, and because of that it has enabled people of all ages to come together with pens, paintbrushes, knives, whisks, and instruments in hand to build not only physical properties but also artistic ones that can last lifetimes.

What was the last song you listened to?

My girlfriend is sitting here cooking up a storm blasting a late 60’s psych-rock band from southern California. The track is ‘Nobody’s Fool/El Conto De Nadie’ by POCO – off of their self titled album.

Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?

For sound there is nothing better than dropping the needle to the groove of a vinyl record and hearing the wonderful sound that comes out of that system. For convenience, especially with sending music files to and for over the internet these days, I find WAV files are neat. I’m also a huge nerd for collecting cassette tapes especially from local bands or bins at thrift stores.

I have J Dilla’s ‘Donuts’ on tape and I blast it in my car constantly. I’m also a big Grateful Dead fan and was gifted a huge tape collection that spans from the jug band/bluegrass sessions of Mother Mcree’s Uptown Jug Champions to the giant Arena and Stadium gigs of the 80’s and 90’s.

I think it is awesome how that band catered to tapers and how fans of that band traded, bought and sold these musical nuggets for years, all without the backing of an official record distributor. Pretty DIY and very communal, kind of reminds me of what Fugazi did with Dischord Records in DC in the 80’s.

How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?

I try to veer away from Apple music or online music platforms, though they are convenient and seemingly the future of music. For me I really enjoy using and listening to whats on Bandcamp; it has a great collection of new bands and awesome folks working on putting together great compilations of hard to find music. I also enjoy its weekly podcast and their mission to represent independent artists proactively, which is something I can get behind.

Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what are one or two of the biggest challenges you face when trying to attract listeners to your music?

To me that is where vinyl records or cassette tapes are important, the true music fan will usually purchase it and give it the time of day to sit down, listen to and enjoy the music.

Do you gig, tour or perform? Do you ever live stream? Where can music lovers see you live?

Oh yeah, of course, been gigging and touring non stop now since about 2007. I’ve done live streaming with my previous band The Southern Belles. And for the Fourth of July I set up a Facebook live with The Congress, it was pretty cool being at a mellow family hang while people across the country and even my cousins in England could join in on, all at the touch of a button.

I also really dig being in the studio recording, it’s a whole different beast and I absolutely love it. I actually just finished recording two new records (one by The Milkstains and one fun side blues rock side project called Dead Frog) at my good friend Russell Lacy’s all analog quarter inch tape recording studio, tucked away in the country called The Virginia Moonwalker.

Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more of your music?

AOL INSTANT MESSENGER, AND YOUR LOCAL RECORD STORES!!!

Any last thoughts? Shout outs? Words of wisdom?

Just want to give much love to all the folks out there who have love in their hearts and work tirelessly everyday to shed a little bit of that light in whatever profession or talent they work in. Also much love to the state of Virginia and the ultimate homies of the Richmond music scene, all the movers and shakers at American Paradox Records, Jellowstone Records, Virginia Moonwalker, Montrose Studios, Sound of Music, Hardywood, Ardent, RVA REC ROOM, The Camel, Strange Matter, and all the brothers and sisters out there making music. PEACE AND LOVE Y’ALL!!!