The Larch

Bio:

The Larch was formed in 1997 by UK/US dual national Ian Roure with two friends from the 90’s NYC alternative music scene - all had played together in a previous band. Taking their cue from some of the more rocking elements of the UK Britpop movement – particularly Ash and Blur – they set about creating their own version of melodic guitar pop; drawing on Roure’s UK roots and adding in a New York influence while paying close attention to "lo-fi" bands like GBV and Pavement.

In 1998, Larch (as the band was known originally - no "the") was signed to an indie label called Flamingo thanks to an introduction from Paula Carino (then of stellar indie power pop band, Regular Einstein.) Stewart Mason, who owned the label, suggested they change the name to "THE Larch" (since at the time the trend was towards bands without the "the" prefix – think Blur, Oasis, Ash.) Stewart has since stated that that the resulting 7" vinyl single (Free Kick b/w Anvil Chorus and Crashing Main Street) was "the best single I ever put out" and that "the sardonic "Free Kick" sounds like Nick Hornby's football memoir Fever Pitch set to an old Dentists single." (Though heavy on the sarcasm in Free Kick's case.)

Liza Garelik, a singer & songwriter in her own right (see http://lizasongs.com ) joined up in 2001 to provide some high end to the boy's sonic spectrum with her excellent harmony vocal and later on added her keyboard playing to the band. Since 2006, the line up has been: erstwhile London busker, Ian Roure, Liza Garelik, drummer and occasional additional accompanist to Bob Weir's Ratdog, Tom Pope and producer, engineer and musician extraordinaire, Ross Bonadonna on bass.

Larix Americana was released in May 2010; the album features songs about satellite dishes, cell phones, fast food and fast drugs. Musically, they continue to mix their post-punk pop with elements of psychedelic rock - broadening their sound and scope while retaining their former energy and wit.



.. They’ve been described as:

"Psychedelic pop for now people"

-Village Voice

"Fiery British pub-punk-rock with a sense of humor and spectacularly good lead guitar."

- Lucid Culture

And it's said:

"The Larch live in the world of clever and witty song-writing...

... the phrase twisting stays securely on the side of intelligence..."

-Splendid eZine

"...these wild song birds make a mean track....Ian Roure plays a masterful guitar..."

- Loud and Found.com

Member Since:

April 21, 2006

Influences:

Currently in heavy rotation at Larch hq:

Love: Forever Changes
Albion Country Band: Battle of the Field
Belle and Sebastian: Tigermilk

Recent hits and perennials at Larch hq:

Boston Spaceships: Zero to 99
Anthony More: World Service
Martin Carthy: the Definitive Collection
Wire: 154
XTC: Drums and Wires
The Monochrome Set: Eligible Bachelors
GBV: Do the Collapse
The Byrds: the Notorious Byrd Brothers
Talking Heads: More Songs about Buildings and Food
Martin Newell: The Greatest Living Englishman
Television: Live at the Old Waldorf 6/29/78
Martin Carthy: The Collection
Robyn Hitchcock & the Venus 3: Goodnight Oslo
The Young Knives: Superabundance
Frank Black: Teenager of the Year
the Beatles: Revolver
Albion Band: Larkrise to Candleford
Fairport Convention: The Bonny Bunch of Roses
Guided By Voices: Isolation Drills
Grand Duchy: Petit Fours
Loud Family: Attractive Nuisance
The Pretty Things: Parachute
The Only Ones: Special View
The Kinks: Ultimate Collection
Scritti Politti: Early
The Monkees: Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.

Some other influences: Ale (real & otherwise), Philip Larkin, Privilege (the film), Science News, Virgin Galactic, Margaret Atwood (especially the book Oryx and Crake), Nick Hornby, Among the Thugs by Bill Buford, Philip K. Dick, Charles Ives, Weekly World News, Monty Python, ...

Sounds Like:

Record Label:

Dent Resistant