Boston Spaceships: Zero to 99
Martin Carthy: the Definitive Collection
Recent hits and perennials at Larch hq:
Anthony More: World Service
Wire: 154
XTC: the Big Express
The Monochrome Set: Eligible Bachelors
GBV: Do the Collapse
Martin Carthy: The Collection
Television: Live at the Old Waldorf 6/29/78
Robyn Hitchcock & the Venus 3: Goodnight Oslo
The Young Knives: Superabundance
Frank Black: Teenager of the Year
Albion Band: Larkrise to Candleford
Fairport Convention: The Bonny Bunch of Roses
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), Monty Python, Science News, Virgin Galactic, Margaret Atwood (especially the book Oryx and Crake), Nick Hornby, Philip K. Dick, Dr. Who, Charles Ives...
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, from fellow Brooklyn based band, Liza & the WonderWheels, 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. The current line up consists of erstwhile London busker, Ian Roure, Liza Garelik (see also http://lizasongs.com ), drummer and occasional additional accompanist to Bob Weir's Ratdog, Tom Pope and producer, engineer and musician extraordinaire, Ross Bonadonna on bass.
As of Spring 2009 the Larch have started recording a new batch of tunes; the new songs are about satellite dishes, cell phones, fast food and fast drugs. They are slated to be woven into an album, working title: Larix Americana. 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.
Although "Psych-pop" fits to a large degree, the Larch tend to fall between the cracks category-wise. 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..."
Back in the previous millenium, Love Camp 7 looked much younger. There were only three of them. They made a video. Watch it here, on their site or on ..YouTube
A sincere thanks goes out to you for accepting our request. Keep your ears open; new E.P. to be released in January 2010! Spread the word and much love, The Morning Flesh Project-
Yay..we have fans!! haha. Dig you guys too! =) Thanx for the add! Appreciate it! Wish you guys an awesome weekend. Rock and Rollon. Very best regards from Merlin’s Company!
“Beware of the armadilloes whose dark shadows sweeps the streets”
Thanks so much Ian! I'm experiencing a musical renaissance these days....performing/writing/recording a lot...it's nice to be back in the game... Angel
Glad you got it! The Royal mail is not what it used to be!:)) We're back for a month! Forgot you were British, Ian, I should have presented the island your greetings!
Love the new song clips! I especially enjoyed "Region One" & "Space Vacation." Marriage does you good, Ian. Your vocals are sounding stronger than ever! Can't wait for the new cd! Angel
Yo! Don't forget the showcase called SWIIM at Otto's on 14th & B in Manhattan...
It is there that your favorite band ever, The Bloody Muffs return!!! (21 and older please)
Hit up myspace.com/futureofrock for details and go to RevebNation.com and search The Bloody Muffs for advance download of their latest album, "Heavy Flow". I'm on "Take Em Out!"
Hi Ian! Hey, good to hear your wedding went well. That lit-up archway looked pretty cool! Glad you enjoyed those videos, I'm planning a 'proper' one with an actual storyline to it. Congratulations and my best wishes to you and Liza! Catch up with you soon.
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we should do a python tribute of sorts, only fitting
