Sometimes opposites attract and find a common ground; this is the case with members Jotto, tonight's scheduled band at Roustabout!
Guitarist Daniel Soloway said all four members of Jotto met at Philadelphia's University of the Arts. His major was music, while singer Aaron Fisher-Cohen studied film. Though each of the future bandmates had different majors and significantly different tastes in music, Soloway said something clicked.
"We realized we had something in common," Soloway said. "But that's what makes our sound unique: our diverse backgrounds."
Jotto will take the stage at 10 p.m. at Bar Bleu, 114 S. Garner St. Tickets for the over-21 show are $3.
The show, which is in the new Roustabout! format that only includes one band per venue, will also feature sets by disc jockeys Joe Diamond and Precious Little.
Soloway said his personal musical influences were based firmly in jazz music, so the musical style that developed from the interaction between the band members was something new and different for him.
The style that results is so different from its influences that Soloway said he has a hard time describing it to those who are new to Jotto's music.
"People say Roxy Music or The Strokes a lot," Soloway said. "Our singer's style is very influenced by Bob Dylan."
Roustabout! organizer Jesse Ruegg said fans of Roustabout! would not be disappointed with Jotto.
The band is making its Roustabout! debut.
"They're a great match for what we do," Ruegg said. "They're kind of noisy, maybe in the same vein as Velvet Underground."
Jotto was a natural choice for Roustabout! because of the members' devotion to their art, Ruegg said.
"Their genuine love for music definitely shines through," Ruegg said. "This is a band that, all they wanted was gas money."
Roustabout! regulars unfamiliar with the band trust in Ruegg's decision to bring some new blood to the show.
"I go to Roust every week and have yet to be disappointed," Philip Levitsky (senior-business management) said.
Jotto's live setup also features an unusual configuration.
The band's keyboardist doubles as a bassist, picking up the bass on certain songs.
"Our bass sound is very different from other live bands," Soloway said. "Our live show features a combination of synthesized sounds and live instruments."
Jotto will be following the "Radiohead" business model with the release of a new EP on Oct. 28, posting it on the band's Web site, www.jottomusic.com, to download for free. Fans who download the EP will have the option to donate money, but are not required to do so.
