Ambitious Lovers Members, Gear & Sound

Ambitious Lovers was a genre-defying duo formed in the early 1980s, consisting of Arto Lindsay (vocals, guitar) and Peter Scherer (keyboards). Emerging from the vibrant New York music scene, the group blended elements of dance-pop, Brazilian rhythms, and avant-garde noise, a testament to Lindsay's past with the no wave band DNA. Ambitious Lovers aimed to create music that was both accessible and innovative, releasing three albums: Envy, Greed, and Lust. While their experimental style didn't achieve mainstream success, it left a lasting impression in the critics' circles.

The sound of Ambitious Lovers was an eclectic mix of polished pop sensibilities and experimental textures. Their music often featured clean, rhythmic guitar work set against Scherer's dynamic keyboard arrangements. Lindsay's use of effects pedals like the ZVEX Vexter Series Fuzz Factory and the Pro Co RAT 2 added a layer of grit and unpredictability to the otherwise smooth compositions. The guitar tones were both sharp and melodic, enhanced by the occasional use of the DigiTech Whammy Pitch-Shifting Pedal, which allowed Lindsay to explore pitch and harmony in unconventional ways. The duo's music thrived on its contrasting elements, merging the warmth of Brazilian music with the edge of New York's avant-garde scene.