Biography
Arc Iris came into being in Massachusetts as a daring, boundary-crossing ensemble led by Jocie Adams, who serves as the group’s frontwoman, principal songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist after earlier work with the Low Anthem. Completing the lineup are bassist Max Johnson, pianist and multi-instrumentalist Zachary Tenorio-Miller, and drummer Raymond Belli, a veteran rhythm section. Adams, who holds formal training as a classical composer and once worked as a NASA researcher, assembled the project as an intentionally exploratory unit drawing on sophisticated ’70s pop, folk, country, cabaret, jazz, classical traditions, and modern reference points such as Grizzly Bear.
Beginning as a sextet, the band built its early profile through nationwide tours supporting Calexico, CocoRosie, Marco Benevento, Menomena, and Justin Townes Earle. Those road performances, together with demo recordings, secured a contract with Anti in 2013. The self-titled debut, captured and balanced by Dan Cardinal with Andrew Barr contributing drums and augmented by an extensive roster of guest musicians, appeared in April 2014 and earned widespread praise. Following the departure of their manager and label, Arc Iris reduced its roster to a quartet and prepared the more atmospheric, groove-oriented Moon Saloon, which arrived in August 2016. Adams oversaw production herself; David Wrench, known for work with FKA twigs and Jamie xx, handled mixing, and Bella Union released the album across Europe, where the band’s core audience resides.
By 2018 the group had condensed further into the trio of Adams on lead vocals, Tenorio-Miller on keyboards and electronics, and Belli on drums. Sessions took place inside Providence’s Columbus Theater, a former venue for silent films and vaudeville acts during the 1920s. The resulting Icon of Ego found the band operating as a focused pop-prog unit that fused disparate styles, foregrounding dense synthesizer textures whose thick, analog character evoked the 1970s. An undercurrent throughout the songs examined ideas of celebrity, renown, and the impulse to idolize public figures. Ba Da Bing issued the album in October.
Beginning as a sextet, the band built its early profile through nationwide tours supporting Calexico, CocoRosie, Marco Benevento, Menomena, and Justin Townes Earle. Those road performances, together with demo recordings, secured a contract with Anti in 2013. The self-titled debut, captured and balanced by Dan Cardinal with Andrew Barr contributing drums and augmented by an extensive roster of guest musicians, appeared in April 2014 and earned widespread praise. Following the departure of their manager and label, Arc Iris reduced its roster to a quartet and prepared the more atmospheric, groove-oriented Moon Saloon, which arrived in August 2016. Adams oversaw production herself; David Wrench, known for work with FKA twigs and Jamie xx, handled mixing, and Bella Union released the album across Europe, where the band’s core audience resides.
By 2018 the group had condensed further into the trio of Adams on lead vocals, Tenorio-Miller on keyboards and electronics, and Belli on drums. Sessions took place inside Providence’s Columbus Theater, a former venue for silent films and vaudeville acts during the 1920s. The resulting Icon of Ego found the band operating as a focused pop-prog unit that fused disparate styles, foregrounding dense synthesizer textures whose thick, analog character evoked the 1970s. An undercurrent throughout the songs examined ideas of celebrity, renown, and the impulse to idolize public figures. Ba Da Bing issued the album in October.
Albums
Singles
