As a band develops, factors such as instrumental selection come in to play to reach a specific sound. Whether it is horns or specific synth patches, a band always reaches for a distinct vision.

An up-and-coming band in the local music scene has been doing just that. Candlefish is a jam-band, electronic combo that has played in southern Illinois for more than a year.

“Our sound is like a jam band that is influenced by electronic music,” lead guitarist Blake Bledsoe said.

The band consists of Bledsoe on guitar/vocals, Adam Huellen on drums, Troy Hutchens on percussion, Dave Palm on bass guitar/vocals, Chad Weber on keys/vocals and Lucas Beck on saxophone.

Bledsoe said the band met through mutual friends at SIU.

Beck was recently added to the line-up a couple months ago, Bledsoe said.

“He has a lot of jazz influences and classical training,” he said. “So we’re kind of just trying to bring him into our mindset and allow our arrangements to be more complementing toward each other, opposed to having a lead instrument.”

Bledsoe said the band had to adjust to the addition, but it has been a unique experience.

“It has opened up a lot of doors for us,” he said.

Bledsoe said they are influenced by an array of music ranging from current touring acts such as Lotus and Umphrey’s Mcgee, electronic music producers, Grateful Dead and Rush.

“One of the things that relates us kind of close to electronic music is just the way that we develop an idea to make a song that’s driven around repetition and melody, rather than just taking solos,” he said.

In contrast to electronic structural influence, Candlefish incorporates a more classical style of lyricism and harmony arrangement in relation to that of bands like the Grateful Dead or the Allman Brothers Band, Bledsoe said.

Being a local band, Candlefish is no stranger to the Hangar 9 crowd and is described by Bledsoe as the band’s “home base.”

This Saturday, Candlefish returns to Hangar 9.

“Hangar is awesome. It’s a great venue and a great opportunity… the crowd response is always great there. We always see a good turnout,” he said. “We couldn’t be happier with Hangar, honestly. We love it.”

Bledsoe said the band is looking forward to playing live shows in the near future and hopefully breaking into the festival scene.

“We’re currently in the process of booking out of town and we have some stuff lined up for out of town,” he said. “Next summer we plan on hitting the festival circuit and just see how far we can go.”

Cover for the show is $3. Doors open at 9 p.m. and show starts at 10 p.m. on Saturday.

For more information, visit the Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/ events/1521944781383104/.

Chase Myers can be reached at [email protected], on Twitter @chasemyers_DE or at 536-3311 ext. 273