>>Canal Street regulars Tempest make Yellow Cab debut
She reluctantly agreed to share a few originals with Patrick Himes at Reel Love Recording Company, who not only recorded the sessions and helped with arrangements, but also played keyboards, drums and other instruments on “Paper Trail.”
“I just wanted to get my family off my back,” she said. “I told Patrick, ‘They’ve been asking me to do this for a long time so I just want to record some acoustic versions of the songs.’ He was like, ‘If that’s what you want, OK.’ I played him a couple of songs and we ended up scheduling our first studio date.”
>>The best live music shows in Dayton this week
Luckily for music fans, the singer’s plans for a simple acoustic project were scuttled when Himes dropped a bombshell after the first song was recorded.
“Patrick really surprised me,” Hargett said. “He goes, ‘I know you said you just want to do acoustic and that’s fine because the songs stand alone fine, but I think they’re good. You really should consider doing this with a full band.’ I’m like, ‘I don’t have a band.’ He’s like, ‘That’s alright, I play a number of instruments.’ (laughs) Huh, that’s the understatement of the year.”
>>7 amazing things to do in downtown Dayton
Hargett agreed to try one song to see how it would go. In the end, the album has extra touches like keyboards, percussion, electric guitars and even strings and horns.
“Going back and hearing that first song with all the layers on it, was a really compelling argument for doing more songs like that,” she said. “It really brought the songs to life. It really tells the whole story by giving you visuals and so much for depth. I’m so grateful for Patrick for being my one-man band.”
While Himes played many instruments, he also enlisted some talented friends such as Brian Hoeflich, Erich Reith, Gary King and Trey Stone.
“I’m acutely aware of how fortunate I am to be doing this right now,” Hargett said. “There is so much good musicianship right in our own backyard but I didn’t know it existed until I was a part of it.”
HOW TO GO
Who: Amber Hargett with Neo American Pioneers and Biscuits & Gravy
Where: Yellow Cab Tavern, 700 E. Fourth St., Dayton
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 30. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Cost: $9 in advance, $12 at the door
More info: 937-424-3870 or www.yellowcabtavern.com
Artist info: amberhargett.bandcamp.com
About the Author