Wake up, Ames: It’s time for a new sound. And if the members of Argos have anything to say about it, that sound will be accompanied by a cello.

The Ames-based quintet has already made a name for itself with its unique combination of string instruments, throaty vocals and heavy, distorted jazz chords. The sound, which guitarist Matt Goode describes as “Brit-pop played heavy,” won the Veishea Battle of the Bands competition last year, and hasn’t lost momentum yet.

With its first full-length EP set to drop in late October, a single on the upcoming Green Party benefit CD, and numerous shows throughout Des Moines and Ames, the members haven’t forgotten the Veishea moments that helped to make things possible.

“There were 300 people crowded around, just watching,” says guitarist Matt Goode. “It wasn’t ’cause they were there to just see us, but they really got into us, and that was great.”

Veishea hasn’t been the only high point in the band’s short life span, however. Vocalist Greg Goode, guitarist and brother Matt Goode, bassist Ryan C. Meier, drummer Tim Brower, and cellist Henna Chou have also made a few important friends along the way, including the masterminds at local record label Bi-Fi Records.

“Pat [Fleming] and Aaron [Hefley] have been really great to us,” Meier says. “They’ve also supported us a lot, and they help get us shows.”

Meier says Bi-Fi has also been very accommodating with the band’s budget and time schedules.

Despite all of the local label’s help, don’t expect Argos to be Bi-Fi’s next Keepers Of The Carpet.

“The album isn’t being released on Bi-Fi . we recorded in their studio, but they have a bit of a format that they like to follow, and even if we did fit into that mold, I don’t know if we’d be signed with them,” Goode says.

While Argos’ unique sound may not fit perfectly into the genre puzzle, a recent change in the band’s lineup could be the beginning of new things. Scott O’Gara, drummer, and H.B. Rhee, violinist, both left Argos several months ago to pursue other musical interests.

The band members admit that these changes will take some getting used to.

“Our cellist went on an internship in May, and she hasn’t played a show since May 12. We’ve been practicing a lot with the new drummer, but [Henna] hasn’t even met him yet,” Goode smirks.

Despite the setbacks, Goode has high hopes for the future of the band.

“We’ve been around for a year now, and I think we’re decent, but we want to be good . well, we’d like to be great,” Goode says.

Even though Goode is ready to make Argos an Ames powerhouse, he has learned not to rest on what successes the band achieves.

“After Veishea, I thought we were good or something,” Goode says.

“We just stopped practicing. We were playing shows all the time, but that was no substitute. We got pretty crappy.”

Armed with newfound determination, the members of Argos are ready to make themselves even more known throughout the local music scene. While some may say that a lack of venues in Ames can hinder this kind of exposure, the members see things a little differently.

“The pop rock/indie rock scene is obviously really organized since you have that center here in Bi-Fi Records,” Goode says.

“I would say there’s not enough venues around here, but anyone who’s decent, regardless of what style of rock they are playing, can play at People’s, and anyone who doesn’t break a sound code can play open mic at Boheme. If a band is trying at all, it is not that hard to get that exposure around here.”