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Overview
Merlot Embargo sounds like a vineyard, but we're actually a band that performs regularly in the LA/OC area. Whatever the event, we'll guarantee the music will be fantastic - we do everything from top 40 to jazz to rock.
(Including our own original music, if that sounds interesting!)
We perform as anything from a full six or seven piece band down to a small acoustic duo - and lots of configurations in between. Jazz trio for your cocktail hour? Indie rock band for your backyard party? Dancy pop music for your work party or wedding reception? We've got it. We have a wide network of musicians, and we'll work with you beforehand to nail the right vibe for your event.
4 Reviews
Merlot embargo crushed my boyfriend’s birthday party. They were professional, prepared and sounded incredible. Non stop compliments!! These performers are next level great! Thank you so much.
Acoustic Band, Indie Band
Response from Merlot Embargo:
Thanks so much for having us out Athena - we had a blast! Happy Birthday to Loren!
When I was reviewing bands on Gigsalad, I watched the demo videos and was impressed by Merlot Embargo. I had four people all having birthdays within a few days of each other including a 21st, 30th, 67th and 73rd. So how do you find a band that has the range of music appealing to guests from such a broad age range? Answer: Merlot Embargo. The entire band is quite talented and knows how to dial in their songs to get people up and dancing. During dinner... the music featured more mellow songs allowing people to talk without screaming over the music. They have such a great sense of their audience and playing music that appeals. Be sure to ask them to play a number of their original songs which are all great. The guests all complimented our choice of band and really appreciated the extra touch live music brings to an event. I will most certainly hire them again.
Indie Band
Easy to book. Great people! You won’t be disappointed. Very professional.
Party Band
Merlot Embargo played at a Wine Tasting event at our private clubhouse. During the planning process, they were so helpful and really wanted to make sure they understood what we wanted. They asked about song selection, attire and more to make sure it suited the event and audience. The event itself went over wonderfully with our members - it's been a few weeks and people are still talking about it! They played for two hours straight (bless them!). Even though we had heard videos of Scarlet's voice online, it did not compare to how beautiful she sounds in person. And Geoff sure played a mean guitar! Thanks a million to this adorable duo for a night to remember.
Acoustic Band, Indie Band
Photos from this event
Booking Info
Price Range: $380 and up
Gig Length: 30 - 240 minutes
Languages: English, German
What to Expect
Merlot Embargo offers several things - first and most important, great music, and a stage show that's entertaining but not overhyped. We can perform as a full band, or as an acoustic duo, and can provide a PA for smaller venues, up to approximately 200-300 people if necessary. We also normally bring our own uplighting to smaller events - we've found that this little addition helps present a nice touch for smaller functions and venues that may not have their own stage lighting. (or even a stage!)
We will also work with you beforehand to get a good feel for what kind of music and vibe you're looking for to make your event special. We've done everything from top 40, to our own music, to jazz covers, and we really work hard to nail the sound and the look for each event.
You can rest easy knowing the music part of your event is covered.
About
HeyO - we're Merlot Embargo, some humans from Los Angeles headed by singer/songwriter and guitarist/producer pair (and wife/husband) Scarlet and Geoff. We perform throughout Southern California as an both a duo and a full band, and write and record our own music out of our home studio. We cover a lot of styles, but specialize in indie, pop and jazz. (Our own original music, some of which is in our profile here, is a mix of those styles.) We've got what you need to make your event special.
In December 2014 we walked away from a nearly fatal automobile accident and left the scene wondering what we'd have regretted if we'd been killed. The answer was immediately obvious: not pursuing our own music. This brush with death unleashed a flood of drive and creativity that propelled us to form Merlot Embargo and leave our creative stamp on the world.
For more info, check us out here, or on our own website.
Additional Booking Notes
For private parties and events, we can provide an excellent sound system, including our own microphones, monitors, and PA speakers, with coverage for up to 200-300 people. We can also provide limited uplighting for ourselves. The only thing we really need is an electrical outlet in the vicinity.
For performance spaces where a PA is provided, we are flexible and will work with what's there!
The acoustic duo is very portable, and can even perform without a PA for one-off events. (We've done wedding proposals in the middle of a field for example.)
Services Offered
Past Booked Events
| June 01, 2024 • 12:00pm - 3:00pm | House Party |
| December 15, 2023 • 5:30pm - 8:00pm | Christmas Party |
| December 17, 2022 • 12:00pm - 4:00pm | Birthday Party |
| August 13, 2022 • 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Cocktail Party |
| April 30, 2022 • 4:00pm - 8:00pm | Birthday Party |
| February 15, 2019 • 7:00pm - 9:00pm | Nonprofit Event |
Set List
We can perform whatever is needed - we do pop covers, jazz standards, our own indie/songwriter/rock. Typically we'll tailor the song selection to whatever is best for the vibe of the event in question. Below are examples of songs in our repertoire that we might perform, though it's not a complete list!
Pop/Rock Covers:
50 Ways to Leave Your Lover (Paul Simon)
Africa (Toto)
Ain't No Sunshine (Bill Withers)
Ain't Nobody (Chaka Kahn)
All of Me (John Legend)
Bad Romance (Lady Gaga)
Bellbottom Blues (Derek and the Dominoes)
Blinding Lights (The Weeknd)
Call Me Maybe (Carly Rae Jepsen)
Can't Help Falling In Love (Elvis Presley)
Can't Stop The Feeling (Justin Timberlake)
Changes (David Bowie)
Count On Me (Bruno Mars)
Cruel Summer (Bananarama)
Dancin' in the Moonlight (King Harvest)
Dead Man's Party (Oingo Boingo)
Demons (Imagine Dragons)
Don't Know Why (Norah Jones)
Don't Speak (No Doubt)
Don't Stop Me Now (Queen)
Doubting Thomas (Nickel Creek)
Driver's License (Olivia Rodrigo)
Dying in LA (Panic! At The Disco)
Fidelity (Regina Spektor)
Fire and Rain (James Taylor)
Float On (Modest Mouse)
Get Back (The Beatles)
High and Dry (Radiohead)
High Hopes (Panic! at the Disco)
Hit Me With Your Best Shot (Pat Benetar)
Hold The Line (Toto)
Holiday (Weezer)
I Won't Give Up (Jason Mraz)
In the Blood (John Mayer)
King of Anything (Sara Barielles)
Kiss Me (Sixpence None The Richer)
Miracle (Chvrches)
Modern Love (David Bowie)
My Future (Billie Eilish)
Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart (Chris Cornell)
Nine to Five (Dolly Parton)
Pumped Up Kicks (Foster the People)
Pure Imagination (Gene Wilder)
Rehab (Amy Winehouse)
Rhiannon (Fleetwood Mac)
Rolling in the Deep (Adele)
Royals (Lorde)
Say A Little Prayer (Aretha Franklin)
Shut Up and Dance (Walk The Moon)
Sir Duke (Stevie Wonder)
Sitting on the Dock of the Bay (Otis Redding)
Snowman (Sia)
Somebody That I Used to Know (Gotye)
Something (The Beatles)
Something Just Like This (Coldplay)
Stacy's Mom (Fountains of Wayne)
Sucker (The Jonas Brothers)
Take On Me (A-ha)
The Book of Love (Peter Gabriel)
The Power of Love (Huey Lewis and the News)
The Story (Brandi Carlile)
The Way it Is (Bruce Hornsby)
Thinking Out Loud (Ed Sheeran)
Time After Time (Cindy Lauper)
Umbrella (Rihanna)
Unwritten (Natasha Bedingfield)
Use Somebody (Kings of Leon)
Waiting on the World to Change (John Mayer)
Watermelon Sugar (Harry Styles)
We Can Work It Out (The Beatles)
Wild World (Yousef Cat Stevens)
Willow (Taylor Swift)
Wrapped Around Your Finger (The Police)
Yellow (Coldplay)
You Are the Best Thing (Ray Lamogntane)
You Can't Hurry Love (The Supremes)
You'll Be Back (Lin Manuel Miranda)
Zombie (The Cranberries)
Jazz/Swing/Latin Standards:
All of Me
All the Things You Are
At Last
Autumn Leaves
Besame Mucho
Blue Bossa
Blue Moon
Blue Skies
Cheek to Cheek
Don't Get Around Much Anymore
Fly Me To The Moon
Georgia
Have You Met Miss Jones
How High The Moon
It's Only A Paper Moon
Just Friends
Like Someone In Love
Route 66
Someday My Prince Will Come
Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Straighten Up and Fly Right
Summertime
Tangerine
The Girl From Impanema
The Nearness of You
There Will Never Be Another You
The Way You Look Tonight
Unforgettable
What a Wonderful World
When I Fall In Love
Originals:
Head Above the Water
We All Fall Down
How to Survive an Apocalypse
Freaks on a Train
Storms
All Who Are Lost
In The End
These Are The Best Days of Our Lives
Billy The Kid
One Day
She
Most of Us
Don't Cry
Please also see a potentially more updated song list on our website.
Team
| Scarlet | Lead Singer (& Songwriter) |
| Geoff | Guitarist (& Producer) |
| Ben | Keys & Guitar |
| Jeremy | Bass |
| Marko | Drums |
Influences & Inspiration
Sara Barielles
Bradi Carlile
John Mayer
Adele
Setup Requirements
Electrical Outlet