Cape Girardeau band The Big Idea has some big plans

When it comes to original music, Cape Girardeau's scene has some of the best hidden secrets in the area. Now, those secrets seem to be sneaking out from behind their shadowed doors and hitting the mainstream, giving people new and exciting stuff to listen to.

One of these bands is The Big Idea. The band -- Will Montgomery on acoustic guitar and high-hat cymbal as well as banjo, Hank Jones on bass and Tommy Main on guitar, banjo, trombone and bass drum -- offers fresh, organic music, playing original songs that are catchy and appealing as well as cover songs ranging from Bob Dylan to Sublime to Modest Mouse.

The Big Idea's latest project is a CD, which it will sell at shows as well as on iTunes. The album has seven tracks and, in keeping with the organic sound, was recorded and mixed by the band.

"We are planning on eventually recording some other new songs for a full-length record, but we really wanted to get something out for everyone to hear," Montgomery said. "We really love to play our original stuff, and if people are able to take that home with them, then the next time they come out, they'll know our stuff that much better."

That's not to say the band never plays covers.

"We want to do songs that people will know, but if we do a cover, it's because we like the song," Main said. "Maybe no one has heard it, but we play it for people and now they know that song as well as our originals."

The band hopes the CD helps expand its audience.

"We're only seven months in, as far as being this group and lineup," Main said. "We're hoping that this time next year we've got five or six shows that are out of state. Having the CD will help those out of town people retain our songs and bring us back."

One place the band is always happy to come back to is Rude Dog Pub, where it will play tonight.

"The Rude Dog has been home base for us," Main said. "They let us come in as an original band and have encouraged our originality."

Since May of last year, The Big Idea has played nearly 100 shows around Southeast Missouri.

"Right now, we want to get in front of as many new fans as we can, so when it warms up, we are going to try to do some small weekend tours," Montgomery said.

The Big Idea plays at 9:30 p.m. today at Rude Dog and and at 9 p.m. Saturday at Breakaways with Carl Banks opening. CDs will be available for $5 at both shows.