Biography
Gritty-voiced singer-songwriter Joseph Arthur and ex-R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck had maintained a friendship and periodic working relationship long before deciding to cut an album together as Arthur Buck. Their initial encounter occurred in 2000 when Arthur served as an opener on an R.E.M. tour, after which Buck began making occasional guest appearances during Arthur’s own concerts. A chance meeting in Mexico during 2017 ignited a fresh burst of creativity that produced eleven songs in just a few days; following a single studio session plus further work at their respective homes, the duo’s self-titled debut—a raw yet spirited blend of indie rock and contemporary folk—emerged on New West Records in June 2018.
Arthur had performed at the 2016 Todos Santos Music Festival, an annual event founded by Buck, who maintains a residence in that Mexican town. After the performance Arthur misplaced a Dobro guitar, prompting his return the following year in search of the instrument. Upon arriving he encountered Buck, who offered lodging; during several days at the house the pair swam in the ocean each afternoon and then played guitars, with Arthur presenting works in progress that Buck quickly augmented with new melodic lines. Eight songs were finished in three days, leading to an impromptu live debut at a benefit for local firefighters the next evening. Arthur subsequently asked Buck to join him at a Los Angeles gallery exhibition, where three additional numbers were composed during soundcheck and performed that same night. Four days later the two spent seven hours recording in a Portland, Oregon, studio; after adding overdubs at home they handed the material to Tchad Blake for mixing, completed the Arthur Buck album, and launched supporting dates across Europe and North America.
Arthur had performed at the 2016 Todos Santos Music Festival, an annual event founded by Buck, who maintains a residence in that Mexican town. After the performance Arthur misplaced a Dobro guitar, prompting his return the following year in search of the instrument. Upon arriving he encountered Buck, who offered lodging; during several days at the house the pair swam in the ocean each afternoon and then played guitars, with Arthur presenting works in progress that Buck quickly augmented with new melodic lines. Eight songs were finished in three days, leading to an impromptu live debut at a benefit for local firefighters the next evening. Arthur subsequently asked Buck to join him at a Los Angeles gallery exhibition, where three additional numbers were composed during soundcheck and performed that same night. Four days later the two spent seven hours recording in a Portland, Oregon, studio; after adding overdubs at home they handed the material to Tchad Blake for mixing, completed the Arthur Buck album, and launched supporting dates across Europe and North America.
Albums
Singles
