BIO

About The Scarlet Goodbye

The Scarlet Goodbye is the creative collaboration between two well-known Minnesota musicians, rocker Daniel Murphy and troubadour Jeff Arundel. Their partnership began by chance, with Murphy—known for his seminal roles in Soul Asylum and Golden Smog—crossing paths with the accomplished singer-songwriter-producer Arundel. This collision sparked a new musical journey in an attic studio in St. Paul, Minnesota, where the duo began matching musical wits and blending these distinct perspectives.

Hopes Eternal

The result of their early work was the album Hopes Eternal, which showcased a fusion of their influences: part Rolling Stones, part Townes Van Zandt. Released by The Label

Group/Universal, the LP quickly earned recognition as one of the best-reviewed records of 2023. The album’s release was supported by a series of standout shows throughout the Midwest, further establishing The Scarlet Goodbye’s reputation for creative songwriting and dynamic live performances.

El Camino Adios

Following the success of their debut, The Scarlet Goodbye returned to their attic studio to craft their second album, El Camino Adios. Released on March 14, 2025, via The Label Group/Virgin, this album delivers a sound that is both hand-hewn and widescreen. Through the songs, the record explores the lifescapes and stories of a mythical town, evoking memories that resonate whether listeners picture themselves drifting through the Baja or scrambling across the energy of New York City. The standout singles— “Raylene,” “Speedway,” and the title track “El Camino Adios”—tell vivid stories: a reflection on a lost love, a recollection of lonely nights spent at the dirt track, and the contemplation of the delicate balance between holding on and letting go--the music captures the poignant beauty found in these in-between moments.

Critics praised "El Camino Adios" for showcasing the continued development of the band's dynamic range, featuring everything from energetic rock tracks to poignant ballads.

What’s Next?

With their juju rolling, The Scarlet Goodbye began releasing new music and embarking on a Spring 2026 European tour, to higher critical acclaim than ever. Their March 2026 single, “She’s a Fire” careened to Number One on Spain Indie Rock Radio, capturing the essence of 1960s rock, highlighted by classic TSG vocals and smoking guitar riff’s. Additional releases are set for 8/14/26 and 10/23/26, leading up to the new TSG full-length LP, slated for March 2027.

ABOUT THE ALBUM

EL CAMINO ADIOS

El Camino Adios is the follow-up record by the band hailed as "the most unusual mash-up in Minnesota Music history, The Scarlet Goodbye.

As the new songs were being created, “El Camino Adios” began to shape into a series of scenes relating to a mythical small town and everything that goes on—hellos, goodbyes, heartache, seasons, dopamine rushes, reflection…experienced by those who have been around awhile.

Coming to you in March 2025 from The Label Group/Virgin Records!

ABOUT THE TRACKS

1. To Feel The Sun

A blistering spirited track propelled by the bombastic piano work of Patrick Frederick and a bangin’ drum track provided by Ben Peterson. The music for this was written by Jeff Arundel; it had a working title, “Youngblood,”-- because it sounded like a Jesse Colin Young track until the lads got their hands on it... The only overdubs on this song are cowbell, acoustic guitar, organ, and vocals, as sung by Jeff and Dan.

2. The Last Time

An atmospheric and melodic hook-filled rock track in the key of E, mostly written by Jeff Arundel with a riveting drum track played by Steve Gorman (formerly of The Black Crowes), and it might have been 95 degrees in the studio the night we cut it. Jeff Victor was with us as we tracked this and provided the Wurlitzer piano track, which serves as the glue for this recording in many ways.

3. Speedway

A mid-tempo sing-along that was written after a sprint car race at the Cedar Lake Speedway in Wisconsin, presented by The World Of Outlaws, right before July 4th in 2023, when the Canadian Prairie fires were burning - giving the event an almost apocalyptic feel. I heard a winning driver say that the... "track felt racy that night”… I also noticed there were no I.P.A.s for sale at the concession stand. It is all revealed in the song, I suppose. I really tried to conjure up a small town County Seat - Rural Americana view, and the speedway was a place where it came together in the end.

4. Raylene

Written after attending a recent funeral at the Red Eye Theater of a long-time friend of Dan’s - an early music fan of the pre-Soul Asylum incarnation of Loud Fast Rules. I thought about how hard it was for family members and friends to deliver a eulogy at such a somber and sad affair. My friend Tom, who the funeral was for, had written in his senior class yearbook under his school photo, “We live to live - we live to die, We live to laugh, we live to cry.” The track is lifted by the incredible chorale singing by members of The See Change Treble Choir - they brought so much lilt and blissful meditation to this track, and we are humbled and eternally grateful.

5. Temptation Eyes

A cover by The Grass Roots that is sung by Jeff Arundel with harmony vocals by Pat Nelson, Jeff Victor, and Daniel Murphy. Pat Frederick plays the electric ukulele, and Daniel Murphy provides the fuzz-drenched guitar solo. There’s something about these old radio songs that never totally creeps out of your brain, triggering memories, and for Dan and Jeff, this is one of those.

6. Sad Burlesque

A song written from the perspective of a newly hospitalized unsuccessful suicide patient. The heavily medicated narrator finds himself in love - but a love that is unrequited. Henceforth he finds himself …falling out of a rainbow that probably wasn’t even there.

7. On A Match

A haunting instrumental track written by Daniel Murphy last year in South Dakota over Thanksgiving. The track consists of a trio of players: Jeff Arundel on the gut string acoustic, Jeff Victor on piano and additional keyboards, and Daniel Murphy on electric guitar. Celtic, with the wind-swept South Dakota prairies in the distance.

8. Great Again

A nostalgic look back at the early, jubilant, unencumbered days of playing in a young and up-and-coming scrappy little rock band that’s out on the road. Presented with a share of melancholy as sometimes the years can bring profound divisions within the ranks as the shared experiences that are filtered through different eyes and multiple lenses.

9. El Camino Adiós

Maybe there is a way that saying goodbye to a Girl and saying goodbye to a place are the same. I feel like the mood of this track captures that feeling perfectly. If you really want to experience it, wait until fall, light a little pile of leaves, inhale, and press play (JA).

10. The End Of Summer

A musical meditation smartly produced by Jeff Arundel, with lyrics that reflect on profound change - and how change seems to get harder as the years roll on. Background vocals by Pat Frederick, Jeff Victor, and Jeff Arundel.

ALBUM CREDITS

DOWNLOAD CREDITS & LYRICS

The Scarlet Goodbye:

Daniel D. Murphy
Jeff Arundel
J. Ben Peterson
Patrick Nelson
And
Patrick “Papa” Frederick

“El Camino Adios” performed by The Scarlet Goodbye with Special Guests:

Steve Gorman
Jeff Victor
Billy Oerhlein
Michael Nelson
Rob Arthur
See Change Treble Choir, Directed by Amy Johnson
Amy Spartz
Rob Genadek

Engineered and Produced by Jeff Arundel

“Sad Burlesque” engineered by Miles Hansen
Additional production by D.D. Murphy
Mixed by Jeff Arundel and Rob Genadek
Mastered by Rob Genadek
Recorded at Avalon Studios and Creation Audio
Artwork/Graphic Design by Jarman

All songs by Daniel Murphy and Jeff Arundel except “3 on a Match” by Daniel Murphy, “El Camino Adios” by Jeff Arundel, “Temptation Eyes” by Dan Walsh and Harvey Price, and “End of Summer” by Daniel Murphy, Jeff Arundel, and Pedro Mariani