Henry the Archer // Photo by Amy Tate
(DALLAS, May 2017; source: CultureHype) – North Texas artist-centric record label Hand Drawn Records is proud to announce the signing of alt-rock-indie-pop artist Henry the Archer this spring. In his fourth album “Zero is a Number” out on Friday, May 26, he tackles topics of love, loss, and life, melding the edgy side of post-punk with a refreshing groove-pop melody. The album release party at Fort Worth’s Magnolia Motor Lounge at 3005 Morton St. in Fort Worth features performances by riff-heavy rock band North by North, eclectic indie rock band Kites and Boomerangs and synth-pop shoegaze band VYLIT. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 9:30 p.m. The show is open to ages 21 and over, and tickets cost $10 at the door.
“We’ve had our eyes on Henry The Archer for a while. [We were] very excited to team up as they were nearing completion on this new record. Richard’s voice is so unique and impressive, and Kevin and Charles are amazing musicians and bring a lot to the party,” said John Snodgrass, vice president of business development for Hand Drawn Records/Hand Drawn Pressing. “This band deserves to be heard and seen live.”
Henry the Archer // Photo by Dustin Schneider
After spending some time in South Carolina and back home in New Jersey, singer-songwriter Richard Hennessy experienced a turning point in 2010 while battling depression. He wrote a book based on himself in a fictional Medieval Times setting that acted as a therapeutic biography — and “Henry the Archer” was born. He felt compelled to get back out there and follow his true music calling. Relocating to Fort Worth, he began performing solo acts starting with the Grotto. A few months later, with help from other Funkytown musicians, he formed a band.
Hennessy released his first acoustic album, “Space Suits for the Modern Astronaut,” in 2011, garnering attention from stations like MTV, VICE and The History Channel. His sophomore album “The Castle’s on Fire” continued the buzz in 2012, paving the way for his third and most recent album “When Something Means Nothing” in which drummer Kevin Geist (formerly of Bindle) and bassist Matt Hembree (Pablo & the Hemphill 7) in 2014 made their debut. After a short time in Colorado, Hennessy came back to Panther City and hunted for a bassist until the band’s newest member Charles Marchbanks (formerly of Chingalotus) caught his ear. Currently, audiences can listen to the track “Means Nothing” from Henry the Archer’s most recent release and “New Mexico,” a track from the band’s upcoming album on KXT.
“Henry the Archer’s songs are well-written and approachable, with nice hooks and great instrumentals,” said Steve Watkins of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “Hennessy is as talented as he is dedicated.”
"Zero is a Number" LP by Henry the Archer // FRONT COVER: Hand Drawn Records 2017
Out on Friday, May 26, the album incorporates shared influences into a cohesive mix of songs that reflect the artist’s musical background and influences, which include Modest Mouse, The Animals, Fugazi, Pixies and Interpol. Each song on “Zero is a Number” has its own story from the moment his pen hits the paper to the final tune of the instrument used to truly capture his vision.
“The album is both hypothetical and autobiographical,” Hennessy said. “Some songs are literal from the experience and others are fictional hypothetical situations, based off of my internal emotions and imagination at the time.”
Band members Kevin Geist (drums/percussion) and Charles Marchbanks (bass guitar) complement the eclectic sounds on the album. “Zero is a Number” features eight passionate tracks written and produced by the band, mixed by Danielle Gomez of Good Gravy and mastered by “Brian Lucey of Magic Garden in Los Angeles, California (known for his mastering on The Black Keys and Arctic Monkeys albums).
“This new album consumed me, to the extent that a little bit of reality crept into the lyrics. But I’d have to say that musically I really enjoyed putting this record together, and working with great people,” Hennessy said. “This new album would not have been what it is without Kevin and Charles. I am so grateful to have the bandmates I do.”
Henry the Archer’s “Zero is a Number” vinyl LP will be released this summer by Hand Drawn Records. It will be available for purchase on Friday, May 26 via iTunes and the artist’s website www.HenrytheArcher.com, or for streaming on Spotify.
