In this episode of Lipps Service — the second installment of our NYC music scene series — Scott sits down with four buzzing artists out of the East Coast — Des Rocs, Eamon Rush and Brian Duke of Pan Arcadia, and Connor Abeles of Cab Ellis. Starting off with the blistering rock ‘n’ roller, Des Rocs discusses his upbringing and musical influences from Long Island, including odd jobs he’s had to support his music career. Des also talks about his endorsement from UFC’s Dana White, funny stories of his performances alongside The Cult and The Rolling Stones, and the influence ofIan Astbury and Queen’s Live At Wembley album. Next up, Brooklyn-bred rock band Pan Arcadia’s frontman Eamon Rush and drummer Brian Duke get into their local performances at different venues in Manhattan and Brooklyn, living together at “The Shack” and their home studio, and NYC influences like Lou Reed and The Strokes. Eamon and Brian also talk about their various charity benefit concerts like “Save The Scene” and “Rock The Pantry,” the camaraderie of the local current scene, and insight into the band’s upcoming music releases. Last but not least, Scott talks with eclectic frontman Connor Abeles of Cab Ellis, who dives into his musical beginnings in LA and Boston, comparing LA vs. NYC music, and the band’s experience working with experimental producer Gordon Raphael. Connor gets into winning NPR’s “Tiny Desk” contest, the band’s forthcoming self-titled junior album, and their headlining gig in support of the release at Bowery Ballroom in January 2025. 

TIMESTAMPS

0:00:00 – Intro

0:03:03 – Des Rocs intro

0:03:40 – Early music writing and making

0:04:20 – NYC influence

0:04:50 – Dana White’s endorsement

0:05:35 – Ian Astbury of The Cult story

0:07:21 – Family and upbringing

0:08:01 – Odd jobs

0:08:50 – Rockville, Long Island

0:09:05 – Early music influences

0:09:35 – QueenLive At Wembley ‘86

0:10:22 – Genre-defying music & art

0:11:28 – Early lyric writing

0:11:50 – Dreaming of and manifesting being a musician

0:12:55 – Performing in Long Island

0:13:50 – 2010s NYC music influences

0:14:50 – Opening for The Rolling Stones story

0:17:34 – Opening for Muse story

0:18:45 – Hotel orgy tour story

0:20:00 – Touring economics

0:21:48 – Performing in Europe

0:22:10 – “I Am The Lightning”

0:23:10 – Promotion through word of mouth 

0:24:35 – Working with Mark Seliger on new album, Dream Machine

0:25:01 – 2025 plans

0:25:24 – Labels & the music industry

0:26:20 – East Coast music

0:27:30 – Rock ‘n’ roll giants & influences

0:28:48 – Top 5 East Coast artists

0:29:41 – Top 5 rock albums

0:31:19 – Top 5 underrated frontmen/women

0:31:54 – Ian Astbury

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0:35:42 – Eamon Rush and Brian Duke of Pan Arcadia intro

0:35:58 – Abandoned Chinatown church performance

0:37:05 – Eamon growing up in Manhattan & music scene then

0:39:27 – Dimes Square

0:40:02 – Living together as a band at “The Shack”

0:41:33 – Music influences

0:42:10 – 20-year music cycle

0:42:45 – The Strokes 

0:43:40 – Lou Reed & The Velvet Underground

0:44:21 – Friendships and connectivity of current music scene & Matt Weinberger

0:45:50 – Favorite NYC artists right now

0:47:37 – Young band economics

0:49:03 – 2021 livestream benefit concert “Save The Scene” 

0:51:40 – Performing at various venues and locations 

0:52:19 – Recording and mixing music

0:53:08 – Upcoming music releases and influences

0:53:43 – Top 5 new bands

0:55:38 – Favorite new bands

0:56:00 – How Eamon got banned from MSG story

0:57:13 – Food drive & livestream benefit concert “Rock The Pantry”

0:58:55 – Top 5 places to eat and drink in Brooklyn

1:00:05 – Taking ginger shots with Scott and Marisa

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1:01:57 – Connor Abeles of Cab Ellis intro

1:02:44 – Music and performance beginnings in LA and Boston

1:03:45 – Music influences

1:04:25 – Comparing LA vs. NYC music and energy

1:06:45 – Friendships and connectivity of current music scene

1:07:44 – Band information

1:08:11 – Working with Gordon Raphael

1:09:36 – Band name origins

1:10:46 – Developing live performance style at Randall’s Island Park

1:12:12 – The Stooges and Iggy Pop

1:13:00 – Stage diving

1:14:41 – Winning NPR’s “Tiny Desk” contest & musical experimentation

1:16:28 – Young band economics & creative control

1:17:48 – Success and looking ahead  

1:18:35 – Current music scene

1:19:15 – Wilmah

1:20:15 – Making of upcoming junior, self-titled album 

1:21:52 – Headlining Bowery Ballroom gig in January 2025

1:22:17 – Upcoming music releases

1:22:34 – Top 5 NYC venues to perform at

1:24:03 – Favorite NYC albums