What did we see and hear at Clyde's On Main last weeknd? Devastatingly powerful vocals and retro-rock guitar, with lyrics that run the gamut from vulnerable to all-out venomous: Jocelyn & Chris Arndt are creating a new generation of authentic album rock. Thought we would share a recent blog of siblings Jocelyn & Chris Arndt. They can tell best who they are and where they're going ....
Jocelyn starts as ....I’ll be straight with you.
Thirteen years ago, we had no clue we’d be where we are today. We were in our parents’ living room, taking turns practicing the instruments we’d just started to learn. What we lacked in skill we made up for in enthusiasm. Two kids, excited to pick up something new, covering “Stairway to Heaven” at local talent shows and playing anywhere we could find permission and a power outlet. But it never crossed our mind that our love of music could be a career. Amazing how things change, isn’t it? And as things changed, so did we. The living room began to fill up with instruments. Our minds began to fill up with ideas for original songs. We studied hard, and were rewarded with new CDs and trips to the music store. A few years later, and I was looking at an acceptance letter and a scholarship to Harvard University (spoiler: Chris would end up going to Harvard, too.). If anything was going to end the music thing for good, it would be that, right? We had one last show at the county fair, and then back to the books. But music has a funny way of holding on to us, and you never know who’s listening. That night, it was the couple in the back with the giving hearts and the beautiful recording studio. We inked a development and recording deal with David and Anna Bourgeois at Bridge Road Entertainment on my 18th birthday, and then man, did things REALLY change. Fast forward 4 years. We’ve recorded 5 releases with incredible guest players like G. Love and Gov’t Mule’s Danny Louis. We’ve developed an authentic retro-rock style that gives the sounds we grew up on a millennial twist. And it's beginning to pay off. On December 18th, our single “Red Stops Traffic” debuted at #37 on the Billboard AAA Top 40. In addition, our current album “Go” held the #2 position on the Relix Jamband Top 30 for three consecutive months. If somebody would pinch me, that would be great. Together with our band, we’ve logged performances across the country, including stops at The Sundance Film Festival, SXSW, CMJ, and Milwaukee Summerfest. We’ve played hallowed stages like The Birchmere, The Viper Room, and The Bitter End. We’ve provided direct support for Vertical Horizon, Little Feat, Marc Cohn, The Gin Blossoms, and many others. We’re currently on a national tour throughout January supporting our album “Go,” and after that we’ll be back in the studio to record a brand-new record. 5 releases. 4 years touring the country. Airplay on over 200 radio stations nationwide. 2 Harvard degrees (well, almost - just give Chris 3 more months). No sleep. Countless broken strings. One dream, thirteen years in the making. So that’s who we are. All in, full throttle, no holds barred. So, what do you say? See you at the next show?
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Chattanooga Live Music, Mark A Herndon, certified professional geologist and professional photographer/journalist who grew up in the Chattanooga area, graduated from the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga. Media affiliation www.chattanoogan.com Check out more at www.facebook.com/chattanoogalivemusic Email at; MAHerndon@ChattanoogaLiveMusic.com