Discover The Scarlet Goodbye: New Album Release and Interview

May 17, 2025

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Making a Scene Presents an Interview with The Scarlet Goodbye

The Scarlet Goodbye is the brainchild of two seasoned Minnesota musicians: Dan Murphy and Jeff Arundel. When their paths crossed unexpectedly, it sparked a collaboration that neither saw coming—but both clearly needed. Dan, best known for his foundational work with alt-rock legends Soul Asylum and the supergroup Golden Smog, brought his gritty, guitar-driven edge. Jeff, a mellow, introspective singer-songwriter and producer, added warmth and nuance. Together, they found creative common ground in an attic studio in St. Paul, Minnesota.

That attic became the birthplace of Hopes Eternal, their debut album—a striking fusion of Murphy’s rock sensibility and Arundel’s folk-pop soul. Imagine a sound somewhere between the raw swagger of the Rolling Stones and the poetic melancholy of Townes Van Zandt. The album, released on The Label Group/Universal, earned widespread acclaim and was hailed as one of the best-reviewed records of 2023. The Scarlet Goodbye took it on the road with a series of well-received live performances across the Midwest.

Now, the duo is gearing up for the next chapter. Back in the studio and building on their undeniable chemistry, they’ve crafted a new record: El Camino Adios. Scheduled for release on March 14, 2025, through The Label Group and distributed by Virgin, the album promises to be both epic and organic, deepening the emotional and sonic palette they’ve been refining together.

The latest single, “Raylene,” is a hauntingly beautiful track that captures the narrator at Raylene’s funeral, reflecting on her life. In a touching twist, the choruses feature the See Change Treble Choir echoing her words of wisdom back to him—an ethereal moment that elevates the track to something timeless.

The songs on El Camino Adios are stitched together around the idea of a mythical town—one that could just as easily exist on the sun-baked coast of Baja as in the chaos of New York City. At its core, the album explores the emotional upheavals we all face and the bittersweet truth that change is the only constant, especially when you’ve lived a little.

The Scarlet Goodbye will be hitting the road again in 2025. Stay tuned—this story is far from over.