The Arcs

The Arcs formed from sessions initially intended for a new solo album by Dan Auerbach, the singer-songwriter-guitarist of The Black Keys. The band coalesced with the involvement of Leon Michels, acclaimed for his work with El Michels Affair and a former touring member of The Black Keys, alongside his childhood friends and fellow musicians Homer Steinweiss and Nick Movshon. The lineup was completed by multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Richard Swift. This collective released their debut album, “Yours, Dreamily,” in 2015, which garnered positive reception from various music publications including Rolling Stone and NPR. Following its release, the band embarked on a U.S. and European tour and continued to record extensively across different locations, demonstrating a consistent creative output born from their shared passion for music production and vinyl culture.

Despite the substantial volume of material recorded, the release of a follow-up album was delayed due to other commitments of the band members. Dan Auerbach returned to work with The Black Keys, while Leon Michels and Richard Swift focused on their respective projects and productions. A significant turning point occurred with the passing of Richard Swift in July 2018, attributed to chronic alcoholism. His death profoundly impacted the band, leading to a period where listening to or finishing the unreleased music became emotionally challenging. The subsequent COVID-19 pandemic further paused any progress on the material.

It was not until May 2021 that Auerbach and Michels decided to revisit the recorded tracks, a process intended to honor Swift’s memory. This endeavor resulted in their second album, “Electrophonic Chronic,” released in January 2023. The album, co-produced by Auerbach and Michels, features Swift’s contributions prominently, serving as a tribute to their bandmate and friend. The recording sessions took place at Easy Eye Sound in Nashville, Diamond Mine in Queens, NY, and Electric Lady in New York City, and the album reflects the band’s signature fusion of soul, blues, funk, and psychedelic rock.