
OUR STORY
The Beginning
A decade ago, on a stretch of Texas highway, a split-second distraction sent our car careening off I-10. We should have died. We didn't. In the hospital afterward, Scarlet asked herself a question that changed everything: If we'd just lost each other, what would we regret?
The answer was clear: We'd never made music together on our own terms.
We'd spent years in church bands, holiday projects, side gigs, always supporting someone else's vision. So, we decided to do it differently: write our own music and build an events business around it. Not pursuing a typical band or events company trajectory, just music that mattered to us, played for people who needed it. (Including ourselves!)
The Real Story
Not long after this decision, Scarlet was pregnant with our daughter.
We've since had another kid, kept (most of) our day jobs, and built a business that doesn't make us pretend our lives don't matter. We know the music industry narrative: kids are a liability. Day jobs steal your focus. If you want to "succeed," you can't have both. But that story's incomplete. The struggle is (very) real, but living in both worlds has also been immensely rewarding.
Being partners in life, and parents, has taught us how to read a room, understand what an audience needs, and deliver a performance that connects. Our entire philosophy is built around what actually does matter: connection, authenticity, people showing up for each other. We've learned to be professional, reliable, and present; that's also what our kids need from us.



Merlot Embargo live band performing at a southern California reception

Why This Matters For You
Scarlet's voice is beautiful, yes, but what really matters is that she means the words she sings. Geoff has spent decades in music across multiple genres, and at this point, the guitar is really just an extension of his soul. Together, we read each other with ease and unthinkingly adjust to the moment.
We're not trying to prove anything; we're just having fun and trying to ensure your guests feel something real. Because we're feeling it too - we love making music, and inviting people into that world.
That's the difference between a band and the right band for your event: when you book Merlot Embargo, you're getting musicians who are invested in your moment—not just playing the songs, but making sure they land.