Red Wanting Blue is a local Columbus band that knows where it likes to perform. Fans will have a chance to see the band in its element at its favorite location in Columbus, the Newport Music Hall, Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m.
“The history of that place and how many amazing artists have been on that stage, you can just feel the energy when you walk into the room,” said Scott Terry, lead vocalist. “There’s nothing better than putting on a hometown show in a really good venue.”
Terry and former member Brian Epp, moved to Columbus shortly after graduating from Ohio University to look for a drummer and a bass player. He has called the Ohio capital home ever since.
Columbus is a perfect base for Red Wanting Blue because the cities they tour are never too far away. It is a great middle spot geographically, and the band’s latest CD, “These Magnificent Miles,” reflects on many memories that were made while touring.
Terry describes their sound as being rock with an Americana edge, but it hasn’t always been that way. The members of the band have matured through the years and their music has been shaped by travels and experiences.
“When we were young kids and just starting out, we only played what we thought we wanted to play,” Terry said. “You knew what you heard and you knew what you liked and that was probably stuff on the radio. You think, I… want to do that too.”
Terry loves his band and refers to it as the story of his life, which is one reason Red Wanting Blue has been so careful about signing a record deal. However, Terry said he probably would have jumped at the opportunity to sign any record deal offered when the band was starting.
Historically speaking, if a band is signed, it means someone believes that group is good enough to be seen on a world stage. Many people may think that artist is doing better than the next guy and with that comes a certain amount of validation, Terry said.
Just because Red Wanting Blue isn’t signed doesn’t mean it takes its music less seriously, or that it has something against labels, Terry said.
Terry has seen a ton of bands that have gotten signed over the years and very few have happy endings. A lot of labels will sign a band, take away a large amount of its rights and want to change its sound and music.
“What we are basically trying to say is that in this day and age, with the way the Internet is and with iTunes, there is so much at the individual’s disposal that record labels can’t do as much as they did before,” Terry said. “Now, more than ever, an independent band has the ability to succeed without its help.”
Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets are $5. They can be purchased through any Ticketmaster outlet or at the Newport Music Hall.
