Kendall Street Company

Virginia’s Kendall Street Company are no strangers to having a wild time. The genre-fluid, eclectic rock ensemble has drawn varied comparisons to the dynamic jams of Umphrey’s McGee and Widespread Panic, songwriting prowess of John Prine, experimental psychedelia of Pink Floyd, progressive jazz-infused rock of Frank Zappa, and off-color humor of Ween and They Might Be Giants. Including elements of crowd participation, off-the-cuff comedic bits, haphazard choreography, musical improvisation, and surprise musical guests, each Kendall Street Company concert is an experience unlike any other. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry. Just remember to stay hydrated.

In addition to their reputation as must-see live performers, the Company’s prolific immunity to writer’s block has led them to release over over 100 original songs between seven studio albums, two live albums, and four EPs in a period of just six years. 2023 will see the release of (at least) an additional two studio records, a handful of singles, and who knows what else! You can also enjoy a massive selection of live shows on nugs.net, which often include unreleased and improvised tracks, as well as covers ranging from the Grateful Dead to DEVO to Alanis Morisette to Soulja Boy.

Kendall Street Company is: Louis Smith [Rhythm Guitar/Lead Vox], Brian Roy [Bass], Ryan Wood [Drums], Ben Laderberg [Lead Guitar], and Jake Vanaman [Saxophone/Keys]. The five met at the University of Virginia, where they graduated between 2015 and 2020. For such a young band, their accomplishments are commendable. They have performed at festivals including Lockn’, Summer Camp, High Sierra, Resonance, Floydfest, Some Kind of Jam, and Rooster Walk. Featured guest musicians at their sets have included Keller Williams, Ron Holloway, Andy Frasco, and Andy Hall. The Company has also shared the stage with Goose, Umphrey’s McGee, Papadosio, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Leftover Salmon, the Infamous Stringdusters, Big Something and Melvin Seals & JGB. The outfit draws their name from late-night bonfires at the Kendall Street Beach on the Chesapeake Bay, and the good company who fueled the flames, the jams, and the conversation.