About




Arliss Parker

Arliss Parker evolved as the solo project of Chris Parker in 2006. Chris moved from Colorado to New York in the fall of 2006 with an arsenal of musical ideas. He converted an abandoned dark room into a recording studio and started adding a wide array of sounds to his acoustic guitar compositions. Toy keyboards, glockenspiels, random percussive instruments and electronic tones found their way into the mix and Arliss Parker was born.

Between 2006 and 2007, Chris recorded, mixed and mastered dozens of compositions in that home studio. He whittled the offerings down to six tracks and made a few demos. In 2008, DAG! Records teamed up with Arliss Parker to introduce Handsome like a Lion to the world. The album is a mix of experimental folk rock and electronica that hopes to get you lost in thought.

Arliss Parker is now performing live with the help of musicians Brendan Beecy and Peter Naddeo.

 

Discography:

Handsome Like A Lion – DAG 0801 – Release Date: 25 November, 2008

Purchase on iTunes
Purchase on CD Baby

 

Folktronica from Brooklyn: a mash-up of original folk pieces, found toys and electronics, and ambient sounds. 

 

Photos:
Press Shot (hi res)
Alternate Press Shot (hi res)

Press:

NPR, Second Stage
"…Handsome Like a Lion offers a brief escape from the real world. And without any lyrics to interpret, each song’s setting can be decided upon by the listener. So while the digital pitter-patters of the EP's loveliest song, 'Taken to Antrim,' can conjure up the warmth of a summer picnic, it can just as easily evoke raindrops on an autumn day."

Have You Heard
"Even if you aren’t into instrumental music as much, these songs will keep and hold your interest, especially 'Besos' with its rhythmic acoustic guitars, its simple, yet uplifting drum beats, the soaring lead guitar part…all of the instruments are layered upon each other in perfect harmony. There’s also the heartbreakingly reflective 'She Smiles While She Sleeps' that says so much without, of course, using words. Again, in this song, as on the whole EP all of the instruments compliment each other so well, as Arliss Parker blends the old and the new, acoustic folk music and electronic beats and keyboards. My only complaint is that it was too short, and I was disappointed when it was over. But I guess a good EP will always leave you wanting more. If you like Sigur Ros or El Ten Eleven, you will definitely love Arliss Parker (or if you enjoy thought-provoking music or songs that sound like autumn)."

Side One: Track One
"Over the course of 2008 I've grown rather fond of various styles of instrumental tracks. Before I preferred the long, slow-building epic kind, but now I very much dig tracks like this that offer short bursts of intriguing and well done arrangements. Perhaps it's because they require less effort? I'm not sure, but like I said - I know that the more varieties I come across the more I like. You should remember to get lost in Arliss Parker's Handsome Like A Lion when it's released on November 25."

Viva Indie Rock
"Usually I am not drawn in by all instrumental music, but there is something about the quiet beauty of Arliss Parker's Handome Like A Lion that speaks to me...I don't think I have the words to properly explain the contemplative tone of the music. Listen to the tracks...and see if you don't find yourself lost in thought, wondering how your life got so off track, why you aren't the person you always wanted to be, and what you can do to make your future better."

More press to come...

Related Links:
Myspace

 

 

 

DAG! NEWS:

Inner Banks: Songs From Disko Bay coming Sept 15.

NPR Feature and CMJ Top 200 for Arliss Parker.

Arliss Parker CD release @ Glasslands, Dec 2.

Inner Banks starts mixing new record.

Arliss Parker EP Handsome Like a Lion set for release on November 25, 2008.

Birds of America film featuring Inner Banks' "Acoustic" and "Buried West" set for DVD release October 21, 2008.

Skills Like This film featuring Inner Banks' "Electric" picked up for North American distribution; opens March 20, 2009.

All DAG! News »


SHOWS:

Arliss Parker:
Fri, Aug 7 - Pete's Candy Store - Brooklyn

The Inner Banks:
Sat, Sept 12 - Barbes - Brooklyn


 

©2008 DAG! Records, Brooklyn, NY