The Scarlet Goodbye - Hope’s Eternal (2023)

Labeled “the most unlikely mash-up in Minnesota Music History,” the Scarlet Goodbye is the creative combination of Soul Asylum’s Dan Murphy and singer/songwriter, Jeff Arundel. Say hello to their debut album, Hope’s Eternal.

In 2012, Dan Murphy stepped away from music after 30 years of recording and touring with Soul Asylum and the Golden Smog, not knowing if he’d ever write or record a song again. A chance meeting with singer/songwriter Jeff Arundel inspired Murphy and led the duo, whose careers spanned the same time frame but had essentially no other resemblance, to start writing and recording. The result is their debut album, Hope’s Eternal.

The Scarlet Goodbye is a musical adventure, spawned out of the chance meeting of two Minnesota Music veterans who come from different sides of the scene. Daniel Murphy and Jeff Arundel may seem like an unlikely pair, but they weave their pasts together into an impressive mix that recalls Big Star and the Hollies… musical, melodic, loud, soft… and above all, emotive.

With their first collaboration, “Paris,” they realized that they were onto something, as Murphy shoved Arundel into a swagger, and Arundel tip-toed Murphy onto revealing some vulnerabilities. Meeting in an attic studio during the pandemic, Murphy and Arundel fashioned a collection of songs that producer John Fields, who was brought in to complete the record, calls “both timeless and unique, part Rolling Stones and part Townes Van Zandt”.

Throughout 2022, the Scarlet Goodbye released three singles and a video to critical acclaim and performed on stages large and small, all leading up to the release of Hope’s Eternal via Nashville’s The Label Group. “This started at a house party in St. Paul.” says Dan Murphy, who had waved goodbye to music years ago. “I discovered Jeff’s inviting studio, which loomed as a sharp contrast to my distant memories of studios past.”

A longtime art and antique collector, Murphy is the owner of Grapefruit Moon Gallery, which features the best in original pin-up, glamour, advertising, and cover art from the Grand Age of American Illustration, and also home to the Bunny Yeager Archive.

While not as brightly vocal as the Everly Brothers as a duo, Jeff Arundel & Daniel D. Murphy fall between The Eagles, Foster & Brooks & Blackhawk. There is an edginess under the surface & even with their high-pitched vocal treatment, they whip out some effective aggressive melodies (“Panic & Blame,” & “Angel Dust”) with chiming guitars bold & fun. The melodies are strong & the instrumentation is woven tight & clean. Quite appealing.

The Minnesota music veterans are polar opposites but for some reason, their creativity works on this 12-cut collection. Murphy, former Soul Asylum & Golden Smog joined forces with Arundel — a singer-songwriter/solo artist in the tradition of James Taylor & Jackson Browne.

So, the collaboration is an interesting mix. Jeff’s songs tend to be written from a personal perspective as most singer-songwriters would. But having released several solo projects Jeff has explored many musical avenues & genres. Murphy, however, leans more into an alternative rock songwriting style as he was co-founder & lead guitarist of Soul Asylum (1981-2012). Murphy (aka David Spear due to contractual issues) then moved on to a more rootsier/alt-country with Golden Smog (joined by former members of The Replacements, Run, Westy Run & The Jayhawks).

The songs in this LP are assertive rootsy-pop-oriented nuggets (“Rosary,” “Sandy”) that maintain their loyalty to the music while still being able to push through a melody that fits fine on a radio-focused single. While not as serious as bands like Buffalo Springfield-The Paupers (“Yes, I Know”) they tend to lean into that arena with the validity of their alt-rock & country mix between Jeff & Daniel.

The 44-minute CD Hope’s Eternal (Drops March 24-Angel Dust Records) was produced by Jeff Arundel (vocals/guitars/keys/piano/percussion) at Avalon Studios in Minnesota with additional production by Daniel D. Murphy (vocals/guitars/piano).