THE LAUNCH BOX: The Arcs

The Launch Box featuring The Arcs

If you like: The Black Keys, Dan Auerbach, Alabama Shakes

In 2015, the Black Keys took some time off after drummer Patrick Carney injured his shoulder. In this time, frontman Dan Auerbach decided to kick start his new side project The Arcs, which includes Leon Michaels, a multi-instrumentalist who was part of the studio crew on Auerbach’s production projects for Dr. John and Lana Del Rey. Joined by Nick Movshon, Homer Steinweiss, Richard Swift, and Kenny Vaughan, The Arcs made their debut with a 7″ vinyl single released to independent music stores to commemorate the Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao title fight in May 2015. A-side “Stay in My Corner” and the flip “Tomato Can” were songs inspired by Auerbach’s passion for boxing.

Their first album, Yours, Dreamily appeared on Nonesuch Records in September 2015. The Arcs are joined by the Brooklyn-based, all-female mariachi band Mariachi Flor de Toloache on many of the tracks.

Here is the official video for track 3 from the album, “Outta My Mind.”

“Put a Flower in Your Pocket” was released as a single for The Arcs’ debut record, Yours, Dreamily, and was debuted as their first music video. The title of the song was inspired by something that was said by Leon Michaels’ daughter while picking flowers. She originally said “I’m gonna put a flower in my pocket” and Dan Auerbach transformed it into something else.

Dan said, “I just thought about somebody putting a dime bag in their pocket, and we turned it into basically a drug dealer anthem.” Here’s the video!

Another track off their debut album, “Pistol Made of Bones.”

With so many great tracks, and their seemingly endless palette of different sounds – from sweet pop fantasy, to pounding psychedelic rock, – it’s hard to pick a favorite. Here’s “The Arc” from their debut album.

December 18th release of 30th Century Records Compilation Volume I. The 11-track collection will highlight the type of guitar-centric artists Burton has brought on to the label, including Autolux, Apache Sun, Nine Pound Shadow, and Sam Cohen. Also on the comp is a new offering from The Black Keys frontman Dan Auerbach’s latest project, The Arcs.