We’ve been considering adding a fifth member to the Scarlet Project for some time now, but hadn’t yet tried anyone out. Our wish list was long, possibly too long! Ideally, we wanted someone who could cover keys as well as rhythm guitar, plus was good on harmonies. Yes, that’s a lot to ask! Added to the skills was also the qualities that make playing with a person fun: easy going, creative, open-minded, team player, baggage free, plus progressive politically … basically a great person with great abilities. Hmmm, so we’ve pondered this for about two years without finding anyone who even remotely fit the bill. (We might know a great musician but s/he only played one instrument, comes with heavy emotional baggage, or substance issues, couldn’t sing, or is far too politically conservative. It just wasn’t an easy fit.)
So we decided to loosen it up a bit – what if the person couldn’t handle harmonies? Or what if they didn’t play keys, but just guitar? What if…? Just to open up to possibilities and be flexible…
Anyway, last night we jammed with Blake on guitar, and for being the first time it sounded pretty good. He filled out the sound during solos, plus allowed Brian space to play more of his signature melody lines while holding down the rhythm. We thought, “why not toss him into the Black Forest show on the 25th and see how it sounds?” Due to all of our schedules, we only have one more rehearsal before that date, but hey, why not?
So if you’re there, you’ll be first to see the potentially new line up. Nothing’s for sure yet…but, come up afterwards and tell us what you think!