Richard Swift Archives

The Arcs' upcoming album Electrophonic Chronic was written largely before the 2018 death of group member Richard Swift, but new single "Heaven Is a Place" directly addresses his memory. As previously reported, Electrophonic Chronic will be released Jan. 27 on group member Dan Auerbach's Easy Eye Sound label. In the accompanying animated clip for "Heaven Is a Place," directed by previous collaborator Roboshobo, Swift can be seen floating through space in both an astronaut suit and in a vintage car, as his bandmates beckon him towards some sort of portal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?vjB89aKbLqFQ “This new record is all about honoring Swift,” Auerbach says. “It’s a way for us to say goodbye to him, by revisiting him playing and laughing, singing. It was heavy at times, but I think it was really helpful to do it.” Co-produced by Auerbach and group member Leon Michels, Electrophonic Chronic boasts contributions from fellow original Arcs members Nick Movshon and Homer Steinweiss. It was recorded between Auerbach’s Nashville studio Easy Eye Sound and New York’s Electric Lady and Diamond Mine studios, inspired by the experience of making The Arcs’ 2015 debut, Yours, Dreamily. “We got the courage to get together and say, ‘Let’s just look at these songs and see if we can put something together.’ The thing we shared with Swift so deeply was music, so the only way to get closure was to finish what we started," Michels adds. "The idea that the stuff we made would sit on a shelf forever gutted me, and I wanted it to be out in the world, because it was the product of such a joyous time."

Richard Swift

The Arcs Salute Late Member Richard Swift on ‘Heaven Is a Place’

Dan Auerbach Revives the Arcs for First Album Since 2015

Black Keys, Nathaniel Rateliff Salute Richard Swift at Red Rocks

New 7″ Singles Subscription Series to Honor Richard Swift

Richard Swift’s Cause of Death Revealed in Statement From Family

Richard Swift Dead at 41

Former Shins Member Richard Swift Launches GoFundMe to Help Pay for “Serious Medical Condition”

First Spin: Hear Richard Swift’s ‘MG 333′ and See Exclusive Shots of the Shins’ Studio

IMPACT

Pussy-Positive Oogie-Powered Hitchhiking Hip-Hopping Orgy Serenader Comes Out of the Rabbit Hole: It’s Audley Time

Killer Mike Is Keynote Masterblaster for FIRE’s Launch as National Free Speech Defender

Lost on Boogie Mountain: How the Bee Gees’ Kid Brother, Andy Gibb, Hit the Peak of Pop Only to Die of a Coke-Broke Heart

Never Play Fleetwood Mac After Shock Treatment, and Other Tales of Music in the Psych Ward

more from spin

After Nearly 50 Years of U2, Bono Wonders: ‘Is There Any Merit To These Songs Without The Rock Band?’

5 Albums I Can’t Live Without: Alex Gaskarth of All Time Low

SPIN Streaming Channel With Amazon Freevee Debuting March 21

Get New Music, News, Reviews, And More Delivered Right To Your Inbox.