Edited by Brendan Hayes
Pan Arcadia is a New York City rock band formed in 2017 by Dylan Kelly (guitar) and Eamon Rush (vocals). The downtown natives are currently studying music at NYU Steinhardt. They have rallied a few old friends and cut their teeth playing the club scenes ranging from Bushwick to Harlem. They first started recording and releasing their demos in summer 2018. I have seen them live and they are an excellent source of new age rock music. They have brought elements from classic rock groups such as the Smiths into a 21st-century music scene.
The band released their newest single in correlation to Earth Day titled: 'After The Flood'. The song is filled with thoughtful lyrics and electric guitar that will surely appeal to audiences who don't necessarily pick Rock N Roll as their first genre. They even slide in a bassline breakdown that'll leave your volume nob broken because you turned it up so loud. The song was great that we even did a Q&A to learn more about this sure to popular rock squad.
What does your band name mean?
It’s loosely about a Greek myth of wilderness, Pan and his forest, Arcadia. There’s definitely an element of us feeling that stewardship in the namesake as well, over the world and nature the way humans should.
How did the band form?
We all went to middle/high school together. At various times fires were started, torches were passed, the bubbling of brains and ideas...you get the picture.
What's the songwriting process been for you guys?
One of us usually brings an idea to the group and we all flesh it out together, with Eamon writing the lyrics. Sometimes one of us will have a "baby" but we try to be as collaborative as possible.
How has Lockdown affected the band's practice, tour, and progress? What are ways the band is trying to go around these roadblocks
We’re trying to treat the curse as a blessing as much as we can. A couple of us are still finishing school so they're doing some zoom bullshit and one of our guitar players, Dylan, is dealing with an ongoing arm/wrist problem. we're focusing on songwriting and getting the new material ready for future sessions. Definitely be on the lookout for 1 or 2 more releases while we're still all cooped up inside.