Hailing from the heart of Music City, OmCat is one of Nashville’s most exciting new voices in the jam band scene. Blending the raw power of rock with the infectious rhythms of funk, disco, bluegrass, and more, this five-piece has carved out a sound that's unmistakably their own.

Since their official launch in the spring of 2024 with the release of the "Smokerise Sessions" on YouTube—complete with a full light show courtesy of Tyler Chase (Lighting Designer for Mitchell Tenpenny and renowned Goose enthusiast)—OmCat has quickly established themselves as a band to watch, balancing tight musical interplay with wide-open improvisation that keeps each performance fresh and unpredictable.

The band’s roots trace back to 2022 when guitarist Tyler Fly spearheaded a Grateful Dead tribute project called Tin Roof Cats. The tribute act became a local favorite across Middle Tennessee, drawing in devoted Deadheads and curious newcomers alike with its high-energy, adventurous interpretations of the Dead’s catalog. It was through this project that Tyler connected with guitarist Russell Somer, laying the foundation for what would later become OmCat. After 2 years of exploring improvisation through the lens of the Dead, they sought to shift gears toward original songwriting—music that could reflect their diverse backgrounds and shared creative spirit.

To complete the lineup, Russell reached out to longtime friend and keyboardist Bobby Green, whom he met during his college years at SUNY Oneonta in New York. Around the same time, a chance meeting at The Underdog, a well-loved East Nashville haunt, brought Russell and bassist Will Harris together. Their conversation quickly revealed a mutual love for all things jam band, and after Will filled in on a run of Tin Roof Cats shows, it became clear that the musical chemistry was undeniable. With this final piece in place, OmCat was born.

What sets OmCat apart is their deeply collaborative approach to music-making. With three lead vocalists and a group-wide openness to new ideas, every song is a melting pot of styles and influences. Their motto—“all music proposed is fair game”—is more than just a mantra; it’s the engine that drives their genre-defying sound and thrilling improvisational energy. Whether diving into extended jams or singing their hearts out in 3 part harmony, their performances showcase a level of musicianship and spontaneity that’s both accessible and transcendent.

OmCat has already begun to leave their mark on the live circuit, performing alongside notable touring acts like Dizgo, Sicard Hollow, Freedom Junction, Mustang Mcgee (of Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country) and Sqwerv. They have appeared at numerous festivals in Middle Tennessee that highlight their evolving improvisational chops. With each show, they continue to build a growing community of fans drawn to their unique blend of songwriting, experimentation, and soul. As they look ahead to new material and bigger stages, OmCat is poised to become a defining presence in the next wave of jam bands emerging from the Southeast.