The group will also be playing a benefit show for WKPS on Oct. 21. The proceeds will be sent to the American Red Cross to further its aid of the tragedy in New York City.

The origin of the band is rooted in several cover bands that played locally. In 1996, the members of the still-unformed O.S.P. were "wary of the idea of cover bands" as organist Mark Daubert said, and were looking to play original music. After some initial jamming, they decided to leave their previous bands and come together to form Original Soul Project.

The band — now comprised of Kim Asbury (vocals), Jason Zarecky (guitar), Daubert (organ), Daryl Branford (drums, vocals), and Colin Kenniss (bass) — has since been playing together, sporting its unique blend of blues, rock, R&B and soul. The variety of sounds is a testament to the melting pot of influences that each member brings to the band.

O.S.P has released two independent albums since its creation — its self-titled debut in 1997 and Down in 1999. Since the release of Down, O.S.P. has not recorded any new material for its next album.

The band does hope to enter the studio sometime in the near future with about 20 songs as possible tracks for the CD. Daubert said with the added hip-hop influence, the new release will be more diverse, and "push the boundaries a little bit."

Though the newest material is what the band really likes at the moment, Daubert says the band plans to work on some new versions of the "old hits," though he was hesitant to call them that.

In the meantime, O.S.P. has been playing concerts both locally and out of the area — in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and New York City.

Daubert is most appreciative of the regular gig at Zeno's, however, which allowed the band to showcase its music and gain recognition in State College.

"We were able to build a local following through the regular shows at Zeno's . . . and we've been able to maintain that," Daubert said.

Like any original band, O.S.P. has encountered some difficulty in trying to find venues that welcome bands without cover songs included in their set lists.

Daubert said the band tries to search out clubs where original music is expected of the band.

"It's a matter of playing in front of audiences that want to hear original music," Daubert said.

State College has provided O.S.P. with many such opportunities, and Daubert said he was thankful for the great treatment he and the band have received from local audiences.

"I can't express how important it is . . . feeding off an audience that wants to hear your stuff," Daubert said. "And when you're playing all your own, it makes it that much better."

O.S.P. aims to take that dynamic and infuse it into its live show.

Branford said the group always tries to intensify its performances, even bringing local musicians on stage to jam with them.

Not only does this keep the band interested and the music fresh, Branford said it provides listeners with something new to make them "get up and groove."

"We try to feature talented people from the community," Branford said. "It gives the audience something new to listen to . . . and it's fun for us because we have no idea where it can take us."

More information about the band, including upcoming concert dates, can be found at the group's Web site, www.original soulproject.com.