Improvisational roots rock band The Backyard Committee release their new single “Festival”, the title track off their recently released sophomore album, Festival. Led by industry veteran Mike Sembos, The Backyard Committee is a cross-genre musical collective that spans Americana, folk, and blues rock, all while capturing the spirit of jam bands like the the Grateful Dead and Umphrey’s McGee.

The Backyard Committee was born out of a collection of songs Sembos wrote while touring with his former band, The Alternate Routes. Seeking a new outlet for his work, Sembos recruited musicians local to his hometown of New Haven, CT to become a part of the rotating cast of instrumentalists that now make up the band. The band released their self-titled debut album in 2010, which was met with critical acclaim throughout the blogosphere. They have since made a name for themselves on the summer festival circuit, most notably with their performance at Hartford’s BOMBFest in 2011, where they performed alongside artists like Weezer, the New Pornographers and Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros. Known for their unpredictable yet polished live shows, The Backyard Committeedemonstrates a talent for improvisation while maintaining structure and melodic direction.

Festival, the band’s second release, is a cohesive record that explores a multitude of genres including bluegrass, rock, and pop. Hailed by Oomph Music Blog as “a hodge-podge that actually works,” The Backyard Committee breaks the mold by shifting genres as often as they do band mates. Keep an eye out for more from The Backyard Committee and listen to their latest single “Festival”, out now!