ARC IRIS: the music of iTMRW

The year is 2080. iTMRW, the love story of Robert and his android partner, Jenny, unfolds against the backdrop of a world where advanced technology is both a source of, and a “cure” for human alienation: advertisements come in the form of “pop-up thoughts,” entire cities float on islands of trash, female forms are purchased and discarded at will, and aristocrats live in a state of debauchery and despair. The piece takes its title from iTMRW, the mega-corporation that produces and sells every single product known to humankind. Despite societal chaos, the human spirit persists in its quest for love.

Providence, RI experimental pop trio Arc Iris fuses story-based songs with dense electronic and orchestral arrangements. The group, which began as the solo project of Jocie Adams, formerly of The Low Anthem, includes keyboardist and sample artist Zach Tenorio-Miller and drummer Ray Belli. Arc Iris released its acclaimed self-titled debut in 2014 on ANTI/Bella Union. Subsequently, the band toured with artists such as St. Vincent, Jeff Tweedy, and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. In late 2017, Arc Iris teamed up with Guster’s lead singer, Ryan Miller to form the offshoot band, Bwahaha, and in early 2018, Arc Iris joined Kimbra on her North American tour. Later that year, the trio released back to back records, “Icon of Ego,” on Brooklyn label Ba Da Bing Records, and “Foggy Lullaby”, their re-imagination of Joni Mitchell’s ‘Blue.’ In mid 2019, Arc Iris completed the composition of their futuristic, dystopian concept record, iTMRW set in the year 2080.