FROM AMERICANSONGWRITER.COM
Jocelyn and Chris Arndt have come a long way since 2014’s debut EP, Strangers in Fairyland. Through three full-length records, including 2019’s The Fun in the Fight, and numerous nationwide tours, the sibling rockers have a far greater understanding of their natural songwriting and performance power. They wield both as a warrior heading into battle.
With a new year (and decade) now unfolding, the pair prepare their second live record, One Night in November (out February 14), with the release of a song and live video for “Mercy Me,” premiering today on American Songwriter. “We’ve always wanted to do a more stripped down, acoustic-style live album. It’s exciting to finally put that to tape,” Jocelyn says.
“Mercy Me” rumbles with a Hammond organ’s soothing cry, and Jocelyn’s incisive vocal performance is an acrobat mounting a dizzying high-wire act. Chris joins on lead guitar, a tender chord progression that whispers through the layers, and band members Dan Zavadil (bass) David Bourgeois (drums), and Beau Sasser (Hammond organ) piece instruments together in a stunning stained glass display. Singer-songwriter Olivia Quillio offers up lush harmony work.
“We don’t do acoustic very often, so it’s definitely more challenging in the sense that we have no practice doing it. Every once in a while, we’ll do a couple acoustic songs in the middle of a full rock set. For the most part, we just play full band all the time. Figuring out the arrangements was weird, and also, there’s a very different energy in the room,” Chris says. “It’s not something I’m used to.”
