Visible From Space

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Visible From Space

Country	New York, New York, USA
Years active	2002–present
Genres	Funk rock, Funk, Rock, Indie rock, Blues, Pop
Members	Jon Loyd Paul Amorese Robert Gingery Judd Harris Rick Nossa

Visible From Space is an American band based in New York City that was formed in 2002. Its members include lead singer, songwriter, and American Idol Season 4 semi-finalist Judd Harris; guitarist and songwriter Rick Nossa; bassist Robert Gingery; drummer Paul Amorese; and keyboardist Jon Loyd. Their sound is considered to run a gamut of funk/rock/blues with a heavy New Orleans, Louisiana (Harris' hometown) influence, earning them favorable comparisons to bands such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Black Crowes, Lenny Kravitz, and Maroon 5 from various critics and reviewers.

The band was featured in the Best of 2005 issue of The Village Voice as well as in Rolling Stone for their debut album Fly, and two of their songs won coveted "Track of the Week" awards in June 2006 at the respected independent music website GarageBand.com. They have been involved in philanthropic work, opening for Wyclef Jean and other artists at the musical fundraiser "Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?", which was organized by Harris and hosted by actress Susan Sarandon. The benefit concert, held in October 2005, raised almost $20,000 for victims of Hurricane Katrina, as well as musical instruments for musicians who had lost theirs in the hurricane.

The group had its genesis when guitarist Nossa placed an ad on craigslist for a singer. Harris responded to the ad and auditioned for Nossa by singing an impromptu version of "The Thrill is Gone" by BB King in a rented rehearsal space. There were other band names and other members over the years, but eventually the name Visible From Space was chosen, taken from the New Orleans teaching that the Superdome sports stadium is indeed visible from outer space (it's not, as Harris discovered once he was past childhood).