Hardin County band seeks to change lives through music

Formed by members who played in other bands as recently as this summer and who mostly knew one another, The Blue Soul Gypsys not only have meshed musically, but personally.

Members of the Hardin County band The Blue Soul Gypsys had played in other bands prior to forming this past summer. Pictured are (left to right) Jeff Scott, Michael Patrick, Justin Perez and Aaron McDowell.

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Hardin County band The Blue Soul Gypsys formed this summer. Members are (left to right) Jeff Scott, Justin Perez, Aaron McDowell and Michael Patrick.

“Everyone in this room is my best friend,” drummer Jeff Scott, 20, said, as he sat in the Elizabethtown office at Pandaruella Productions with company founders Jacob and Samantha Langley and band members. “These are my brothers and sister.”

In July, the Hardin County musicians formed the group The Blue Soul Gypsys, a band with high ideals and goals. In addition to Scott, the band is made up of vocalist and guitarist Aaron McDowell, guitarist Michael Patrick and bassist Justin Perez.

Before the band formed, McDowell, 22, was familiar with the Scott’s and Perez’s work and always wanted to work with them. Then he “stumbled upon” the office of Pandaruella Productions, a place familiar to a future band member he hadn’t met.

“I love playing music, and I was always playing here,” Patrick, 20, said.

It wasn’t long before all the members met and realized they were a good fit.

“It just fell into place,” McDowell said.

Perez, 26, believes the band was meant to be together.

“There’s just too many things that brought us here,” he said.

Jacob Langley said the bond between band members, him, and his sister, Samantha, was instantaneous.

“There was no grace period,” he said.

“It’s like love at first sight,” McDowell said.

Band members describe their music, which is all original, as “bluesy,” “inspirational” and “relatable” rock.

Members of the group want the music to be open to individual interpretation and appeal to a broad audience.

“In a music industry as competitive as the one we’re in, you’ve really got to change it up,” McDowell said.

Though McDowell writes a lot of the material, the band collaborates on all its songs. Often, each knows when something is not quite right, and they work to do what’s best for the song.

Perez said he can feel when a song comes together because of the band’s chemistry.

“It just makes me happy,” he said.

The process requires a special quality, Perez said.

“You have to be unselfish when you’re in a band,” he said, describing the collaboration as being in a relationship with his bandmates.

The end result is music they believe can uplift or connect with listeners. Ultimately they want their music to make a positive impact on its audience.

“We’re not like most other bands,” Patrick said. “We want to help people.”

Members try to accomplish their goal of helping others through music, and each considers himself accessible to the public.

They’re more concerned with their music’s impact than its profit potential.

“I’d much rather be rich in my heart all day long than in my pocket,” McDowell said.

The band has played a gig to raise money for a headstone for a friend who died. They recalled the emotional impact of seeing their friend’s father and son dance to the music.

The Blue Soul Gypsys have played other gigs, too, and they plan to release a CD in the near future.

Among their challenges, they said, are the preconceived notions musicians others have, such as the idea they don't really work, and their own impatience concerning their goals.

“I just want to play music, have a good time and change people,” Patrick said.

“Our music is meant to change people,” McDowell said. “It’s not just for the ears; it’s for the soul.”

Robert Villanueva can be reached at (270) 505-1743 or rvillanueva@thenewsenterprise.com.