Emma’s Lounge
2012 was a monumental year for indie songwriter Logan Venderlic. He experienced some of the highest highs and lowest lows of his life.
Venderlic released his debut album in April that year and set out on two expansive US tours (just four days after graduating at the top of his class at West Virginia University). iTunes compared him to Jonathan Richman and Paul Westerberg. NPR compared him to The Clash. The Wall Street Journal compared him to an Appalachian Tom Petty.
“All the way from West Virginia | In the city that I love | I’m here just one night | Baby, I’m ready to run amok” – Run Amok
He parlayed that initial hype into a performance on NPR’s Mountain Stage with Brandi Carlile, fulfilling a personal dream.
But within the same year, Venderlic privately fought through several tragedies, including the accidental overdose of his best friend, the drowning of another close friend, and a triple-homicide within his family.
“I’m the undertaker | I’m a genocide trench” – The Undertaker
Venderlic sought refuge and comfort with close family and friends.
“I realized that, even though I wanted nothing more than to be left alone, being alone made things worse. Forcing myself to be closer with my family and friends allowed us to bear the weight of things and recover together.”
And he came to a similar conclusion with music: he could go it alone, as he had done for over six years, but he could be stronger with a band.
And Emma’s Lounge was born.
Emma’s Lounge features bandleader Venderlic alongside classically-trained violinist and guitarist Kenan Hopkins, keys player and spine-tingling vocalist Meg Heathman, prodigious bassist and jazz guitarist Justin Tsugranes, and bustling, dexterous drummer, Mackenzie Richburg.
Sprung from the far outskirts of Appalachian Americana, Emma’s Lounge plays a dynamic and gritty blend of music they call “Folk Wave.” With a heavy measure of vulnerability and soul, Emma’s Lounge doses their audience with raw, pure energy until it becomes impossible to have a bad time.
“Everybody’s here, everybody’s trying, everybody just needs some love” – Shakin’ & Swayin’
