‘Artisans & Merchants’, first new studio LP in over 25 years out now! UK, EU and NYC shows in March/April.

Influential band stands among a select few of the most revered second-wave emo / indie bands of all time including their peers in The Promise Ring, Mineral, Christie Front Drive, Boys Life, Braid, Karate, and Rainer Maria. Influential New York City indie rock band The Van Pelt has unveiled the music video for ‘Grid’ the final pre-release single ahead of its long-awaited fourth studio full-length, ‘Artisans & Merchants’ set for release via Spartan Records in North America, La Castanya in Europe/World and Gringo in the UK. The video, directed by Mark Nardelli of 5Boro, and featuring the skateboarding prowess of Keith Hardy. Front man Chris Leo describes the gritty, angular track as “a little adventure with the loser protagonist trying to find their wallet.’ The band’s first studio recording in over 25 years, was recorded and mixed in Summer / Fall 2021 by Jeff Zeigler (The War On Drugs, Kurt Vile) at Uniform Recording in Philadelphia, PA, and features guest appearances by Nate Kinsella and Ted Leo among others.

‘Artisans & Merchants’ Tracklisting:

1. We Gotta Leave

2. Image Of Health

3. Artisans & Merchants

4. Punk House

5. Old Souls From Different Epochs

6. Grid

7. Cold Coconuts

8. Did We Hear The Same Song

9. Love Is Brutal

Upcoming Shows:

3/16 – Leeds, UK @ Wharf Chambers

3/17 – Nottingham, UK @ The Old Cold Store

3/18 – London, UK @ The Garage

3/19 – Antwerp, BEL @ Trix

4/23 – Brooklyn, NY @ St. Vitus

Reunion show soundchecks revealed that this band has a voice that was prematurely muted by their inability to see clearly in the thick of their rise. More than two decades later, The Van Pelt has returned to explore what was left behind with a new collection of songs, ‘Artisans & Merchants.’ This is not a reunion album. This is vindication. For lovers of The Van Pelt, listening to ‘Artisans & Merchants’ is like hearing the voice of a dear friend you haven’t seen in years – a friend you used to share countless beers with over banter that went nowhere other than delivering a solid night. Your friend is older, they’ve changed. In some ways you’re worried for them, looks like they might be teetering on the brink of something. In other ways, it’s the same old them, a nugget of a soul too unique to ever be altered. It’s for those unfamiliar with The Van Pelt though for whom we should be truly jealous. This is a stand-alone album, incredible vital songwriting in and of itself regardless of the long history this band has. The climax of the single ‘Image Of Health’ perhaps describes the beautiful desperation best: “And you never felt more alive / Than when the priest came to read you your rites!”