GRAMERCY ARMS – “YESTERDAY’S GIRL” FT. LLOYD COLE
A SPILL EXCLUSIVE MUSIC PREMIERE
Today we have the pleasure of revealing the latest musical delight from seasoned NYC-based collective Gramercy Arms. Much like Canada’s own Broken Social Scene, Gramercy Arms is a revolving collective of musicians and artists. Masterminded by Dave Derby (The Dambuilders, Lloyd Cole), they present us a November gift in their new single “Yesterday’s Girl”, a bittersweet remembrance of love lost and friendship regained.
“Yesterday’s Girl” immediately impresses, while feeling very familiar and grounding. Gentle and perfectly arranged, it is both calming and genuine, straightforward and talented, giving space and voice everywhere that the song and its story requires. Gramercy Arms are clearly at a different level of musical maturity than most of what we learn about through the musical fanfare. A hidden Americana-indiepop gem, Gramercy Arms show that music truly is a journey.
Co-written by Gramercy Arms frontman Dave Derby and music legend Lloyd Cole, this song was originally penned for Darlene Love’s solo album Introducing Darlene Love. Artfully reimagined by Derby and producer Ray Ketchem as a duet with Derby and Renée Lo Bue (Elk City, Flowers of America) trading vocals for the Gramercy Arms version. The colorful video, directed by acclaimed visual artist Debora Francis, features Derby and Lo Bue.
Produced, recorded and mixed by Ray Ketchem (Guided By Voices, Luna, Elk City) at Magic Door Recording with additional recording by Lloyd Cole, this album was mastered by award-winning engineer Greg Calbi (John Lennon, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, Talking Heads, Patti Smith, Tom Petty, Bill Frisell, Aretha Franklin, Todd Rundgren).
This is the first taste of their Deleted Scene album, the group’s third full-length album, following The Seasons of Love (2012) and Gramercy Arms. Lyrically driven and rich on vocal-harmony, interspersed with elements of 60s sunshine pop and folk-rock, this album will be released in early 2023 via the Magic Door Record Label, a Montclair, NJ-based imprint founded by Guided by Voices’ Kevin March, together with Ray Ketchem and Renée LoBue.
“Being asked to sing one-half of the lead part on “Yesterday’s Girl” was a wonderful surprise. I showed up at Magic Door Recording prepared to do backing vocals. It was Ray Ketchem who suggested a duet during the session. It’s an honor to sing the female lead part on a Lloyd Cole/Dave Derby penned song, originally written for Darlene Love,” says Renée LoBue.
Lloyd Cole further notes: “As I recall, we wrote very quickly hoping to channel Springsteen channeling Spector, with copious help from Blanton’s of Kentucky. I’d completely forgotten it until Dave presented this version and it feels like I won the lottery. It is wonderful. Very happy to have my name in the credits.”
Inspired by the artistic heyday of ‘70s and ‘80s-era New York City, Gramercy Arms makes addictive indie pop – exquisite hook-laden melodies filled with lyrics that will have you floating back in time, remembering your favorite mistake.
Apart from involving Lloyd Cole, ‘Deleted Scene’ is a star-studded affair with performances by Kevin March (Guided by Voices, Shudder to Think, The Dambuilders), Doug Gillard (Guided by Voices, Nada Surf, Cobra Verde, Death of Samantha), Sean Eden (Luna), Mark Lizotte (Diesel), Phoebe Summersquash (Small Factory), Rainy Orteca (Joan As Police Woman, Dead Air), Renée LoBue (Elk City, Flowers of America), Kendall Meade (Mascott), Verena Wiesendanger (Semi Gloss), Claudia Chopek (Bright Eyes, The Little River Band, Echo of the Ghost), John Leon (Roky Erickson, Royal Arctic Institute), Rafa Maciejak (Lloyd Cole and the Negatives, Ivy), Hilken Mancini (Fuzzy, the Monsieurs, Punk Rock Aerobics), Richard Alwyn-Fisher (King Canutes, The Winter Drinks), Mike Errico, Steve Hurley (Gigolo Aunts), Lysa Opfer (Aeon Station), Carl Baggaley (Elk City, Royal Arctic Institute), Peter Hess (Phillip Glass Ensemble, Slavic Soul Party) and Gary Burton (Dovedale).
As of November 16, “Yesterday’s Girl” will be available across online platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. It can also be pre-saved at..
CREDITS
Produced, Recorded & Mixed by Ray Ketchem at Magic Door Recording
Additional Recording by Lloyd Cole
Mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound
“Yesterday’s Girl” written by Lloyd Cole and Dave Derby
Publishing Passive-Aggressive BMI / Warner-Chappell
Dave Derby – vocals, guitar, bass guitar,
Renée Lo Bue – vocals
Kevin March – drums
Mike Errico – guitars
Lloyd Cole – guitars
Artist photos by Max Skaff
Also enjoy the band’s latest album, kicking off with a collaboration with Tanya Donnelly of Throwing Muses and Belly fame, and other audio-visual pleasures:
Gramercy Arms
[Single]
(Magic Door Record Label)
Release Date: November 16, 2022
Tour Dates
Nov. 22 NEW YORK CITY – Sid Gold’s Request Room (8pm)
Nov. 30 NEW YORK CITY – Bowery Electric (7pm)
Dec. 17 BOSTON – Midway Cafe (9pm)
Jan. 21 BROOKLYN, NY – Pete’s Candy Store (10pm)
Feb. 22 BOSTON – Midway Cafe (album release show)
Feb. TBD NEW YORK CITY (album release show)
Artist Links
Background Photo Credit: Max Skaff
