The Larch

The Larch was formed in 1997 by UK/US dual national Ian Roure with two friends from the 90's NYC alternative music scene - all had played together in a previous band. Taking their cue from some of the more rocking elements of the UK Britpop movement – particularly Ash and Blur – they set about creating their own version of melodic guitar pop; drawing on Roure's UK roots and adding in a New York influence while paying close attention to "lo-fi" bands like GBV and Pavement.



In 1998, Larch (as the band was known originally - no "the") was signed to an indie label called Flamingo thanks to an introduction from Paula Carino (then of stellar indie power pop band, Regular Einstein.) The owner of the label, suggested they change the name to "THE Larch" (since at the time the trend was towards bands without the "the" prefix – think Blur, Oasis, Ash.) He has since stated that that the resulting 7" vinyl single (Free Kick b/w Anvil Chorus and Crashing Main Street) was "the best single I ever put out" and that "the sardonic "Free Kick" sounds like Nick Hornby's football memoir Fever Pitch set to an old Dentists single." (Though heavy on the sarcasm in Free Kick's case.)
In 2003 the Larch gained international recognition when their song "Bat Boy Signs Up" was included as one the default tracks to come with the (then) latest Philips mp3 player.
Liza Garelik, a singer & songwriter in her own right (see http://lizasongs.com ) joined up in 2001 to provide some high end to the boy's sonic spectrum with her excellent harmony vocal and later on added her keyboard playing to the band. Since 2006, the line up has been: erstwhile London busker, Ian Roure, Liza Garelik, drummer and occasional additional accompanist to Bob Weir's Ratdog, Tom Pope and producer, engineer and musician extraordinaire, Ross Bonadonna on bass.



Larix Americana was released in May 2010; the album features songs about satellite dishes, cell phones, fast food and fast drugs. Musically, they continue to mix their post-punk pop with elements of psychedelic rock - broadening their sound and scope while retaining their former energy and wit.



They've been described as:
"Psychedelic pop for now people" -Village Voice
"Fiery British pub-punk-rock with a sense of humor and
spectacularly good lead guitar." - Lucid Culture
And it's said:
"The Larch live in the world of clever and witty song-writing.
. the phrase twisting stays securely on the side of intelligence."
-Splendid eZine
".these wild song birds make a mean trackIan Roure plays a masterful guitar."
- Loud and Found.com