Gramercy Arms

Gramercy Arms is a revolving New York-based collective of musicians and artists. Masterminded by Dave Derby (The Dambuilders/Lloyd Cole) and producer Ray Ketchem (Elk City), the group’s fourth album, The Making Of the Making Of, is scheduled to be released on Magic Door Recordingin early 2024.

Inspired by the artistic heyday of the ‘70s and ‘80s-era New York City, Gramercy Arms makes addictive indie pop featuring exquisite hook-laden melodies and lyrics that will have you floating back in time, remembering your favorite mistake. 

With many of the songs recorded during the same sessions for the band’s 2023 release, “Deleted Scenes,” “The Making Of …” is decidedly more of a band album with a looser and more raucous approach featuring live in-studio performances and an even wider array of contributors.

Before the album's launch, the band will release two singles, with accompanying videos. The album’s first track and first single, “After the Afterparty” is a wistful, happy-sad power pop gem about chances missed and taken features longtime collaborators Hilken Mancini (Fuzzy, the Monsieurs) Kevin March (Guided by Voices, Shudder to Think, The Dambuilders), Rainy Orteca (Joan As Police Woman, Dead Air) and Mike Errico.

The second single, “Never Say Anything,” is a gorgeously performed paean to paranoid times with shimmering acoustic guitars by Derby, moody basslines by Lysa Opfer (Aeon Station), and haunting sonic textures by Mark Lizotte (Diesel) on guitar, vocals, and effects.

“Pilot Light,” the album’s third single, which will coincide with the release of the album, chronicles the vicissitudes of chasing showbiz dreams on the left coast. Originally written for the 2004 TV comedy series “Pilot Season” featuring Sarah Silverman, David Cross, Marc Maron, Andy Dick, Sam Seder, among others.

The album also includes a cover of the Loud Family’s 1996 slinky rocker “Don’t Respond She Can Tell” featuring a duet by Derby and Jules Verdone. The song features Doug Gillard (Guided by Voices, Nada Surf) on guitar and bass, John Leon (Royal Artic Institute, Roky Eriksen) on pedal steel, and Ray Ketchem (Elk City) on drums.  Derby’s dog, Briar Jones is additionally credited with providing ‘Pet Sounds.