Banding Together!

With the sum-sum-summertime holiday at a close, it's time to dive right back into the cool waters of the industry. No more time for chillaxing by the pool - it's back to the business of the biz!

So here we go!

I realize of late I can't stop talking about The Spotlight but it just can't be helped because good things are happening with it! We've got the A.N.T. Fest show to plan for and this is going to take some serious preparation if we want it to catch that someone specials' special attention. The A.N.T. Fest at Ars Nova is our time to shine -(for at least one night anyway.) It's our chance to do the show the way we've always intended - a little bigger and a little badder (in a good way.) There will be more lights, more cameras & more action this time around. Since the stage is completely ours for that one night - we're pullin' out all the stops!

My role in all of this glorious mania remains that of "Musical Guest." For the past few shows, I've been improvising commercial break jingles as well as "spot songs" based on audience suggestions. This time however, I think we're going to shake things up a bit. Since we're playing in a non-improv venue, the show doesn't have to be entirely improvised, so I thought it would be extra supercool to write an original song. I've been trying my hand at song-writing lately and this gives my endeavor a little more urgency and purpose.

I won't be in this alone though. I had always imagined having a few more band members involved with The Spotlight. We've only ever done the show with a pianist or a guitarist as our "bandleader" - but now we're taking things up a notch by adding a guitarist and a percussionist to "The Spotlight Band." That's right, we're dialing it up to eleven!

I spent part of my day emailing a few friends who are also members of the improv community, and happen to be excellent musicians, and they happily accepted my invitations instantly. Those are good friends. Sure, it's nice to be asked to do a show, but it's equally nice to have people eager to hop aboard your project, expecting nothing in return but the opportunity to perform. Further proof that we are making art happen.

The next step will be coordinating our schedules and securing proper rehearsal studios that will provide us with the type of equipment we need. I personally can't wait to get started! November 7th seems a while away, but I know that it'll be here before we can say "The Spotlight with Sean Taylor!"