# NYC-Based FRENCHY AND THE PUNK Unveil Lush ‘Temple of Sleep’ From New ‘Zen Ghost’ LP

- Link: https://www.nyrdcast.com/nyc-based-frenchy-and-the-punk-unveil-lush-temple-of-sleep-from-new-zen-ghost-lp/
- Published: 2023-01-12T12:30:00-06:00
- Author: Eugene Tierney

**NYC-based FRENCHY AND THE PUNK unveil lush ‘Temple of Sleep’ from new ‘Zen Ghost’
LP**

_“Explosive, subdued, confrontational, soothing, spikey, and accessible, an incredible
blend of alt-rock shade and alt-folk light” _~ **[Big Takeover Magazine](https://bigtakeover.com/recordings/FrenchyandthePunkMonSouvenirEARecordings)**

_“Vibrant and danceable. Who says dark can’t also be fun? Zen Ghost, which may be
among the year’s best albums to date, is a highly recommended listen” ~ _**[The Spill Magazine](https://spillmagazine.com/spill-album-premiere-frenchy-and-the-punk-zen-ghost/)**

_“Penetrating psych-soaked post-punk… Brimming with their signature cinematic drama
and that unforgettable voice” _~ **[Global Texan Chronicles](https://globaltexanchronicles.com/mon-souvenir/)**

_“Bombastic… a happy medium between the sonic atmosphere and thoughtful melancholy
of post-punk music and the unmistakable drama of cabaret… as beautifully manic as
some of the finest artists on America’s early punk’ scene”_ ~ **[Amplify Music Magazine](https://amplifymusicmag.com/premiere-mon-souvenir-by-frenchy-and-the-punk-bursts-with-new-wave-circus-punk-goodness/)**

_“An inspiriting slice of post punk hued, new wave nurtured rock ‘n’ roll… under
the skin and hungrily stirring the imagination in a flash”_ ~ [**Ringmaster Review**](https://ringmasterreviewintroduces.wordpress.com/2022/10/05/march-of-the-shameless-step-1/)

NYC-based postpunk duo [**Frenchy and the Punk**](http://www.frenchyandthepunk.com/)****
present [**‘Temple of Sleep’**](https://youtu.be/LhwgjmazNUk), a slow, dark, atmospheric
track from their new[ **‘Zen Ghost’**](https://frenchyandthepunk.bandcamp.com/album/zen-ghost)****
album. Pitting emotional angst against sleep, the song squirms with the uneasy yet
seductive pull of altered states of rest. The video, shot entirely in upstate New
York, captures the autumnal feel and mood of the song.

![](https://i0.wp.com/redirect.haulix.com/5L1ga74EKtyNqYdXi8eOEysvK_jlXKWXQ8RYmU5Bcjg%
3D/PromoAccessory_395852.jpg?resize=436%2C436&ssl=1)

**Photos by Alice Teeple**

Frenchy and the Punk is vocalist, percussionist and lyricist **Samantha Stephenson**
and guitarist-composer **Scott Helland**, who co-founded Outpatients and [**Deep Wound**](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/deep-wound-mn0001356350)(
with **Dinosaur Jr.**‘s **J Mascis** and **Lou Barlow**). The duo profess a vivid
blend of post-punk and dark folk music.

Not long ago, the duo revealed** **[**‘If The World Doesn’t End First’**](https://youtu.be/kMaUbNboYFU),
a love song wrapped in an impending apocalyptic scenario inspired by current events,
past fears and the knowledge that, in the end, the things that don’t matter pass
and the one thing that does remains.

Earlier, they released the high energy singles [**‘Mon Souvenir’ **](https://youtu.be/3UlLC57AHsQ)
and Siouxsie-esque [**‘Come In and Play’**](https://youtu.be/DcierLOU_WM), their
shadowy sound taking an even darker turn towards the pair’s previously unexplored
personal planes and interpretations of the insanity of our increasingly tumultuous
age. Dark times make for dark songs.

“When I wrote the lyrics to ‘Temple of Sleep’, I was literally having trouble sleeping.
Sleep used to come easily to me, except perhaps as a teenager when I was afraid 
to succumb to it because of recurring nightmares and sleep paralysis. But during
these last few years, sleep has often evaded me. I also think about what it must
be like to be in your early 20s at this time, trying to make plans and dreaming 
of the future and how it is probably so different than when I was that age. There
is a dystopian cloud that seems to hover over everything these days. The everyday
of life can be poisonous and make restful sleep hard to attain, which is so instrumental
to a healthy life,” says** Samantha Stephenson.**

“I have always found that the return to nature for nurture and the calming of the
waters of the heart and mind are essential to well being; an anecdote. I find the
allure of the dream state to be very seductive and a welcome escape. The theme of
sleep felt like the perfect subject for Scott’s beautifully lugubrious riff progression
on this tune.”

Frenchy and the Punk - Temple of Sleep - Music Video

[⌊Frenchy and the Punk - Temple of Sleep - Music Video⌉⌊Frenchy and the Punk - Temple
of Sleep - Music Video⌉
Watch this video on YouTube

Tapped as one of the Top 25 duos in the US by Yahoo! Music, the freewheeling pair
has released [**numerous recordings**](https://frenchyandthepunk.bandcamp.com/),
including the acclaimed albums ‘**Happy Madness’ (2010), ‘Hey Hey Cabaret’ (2012),‘
Elephant Uproar’ (2013), ‘Cartwheels’ (2014), ‘Bonjour Batfrog’ (2014)** and **‘
Hooray Beret’ (2019)**.

French-born, but raised in the UK and USA, Stephenson’s study of piano and dance
ignited her eventual rejection of corporate conformity and fueled a quest to lead
a truly autonomous life through art and music. A son of jazz-loving teachers, Helland
grew up in Western Massachusetts and was a vital player on the region’s fertile 
early hardcore punk scene.

Helland and Stephenson met in NYC in 1998, when Stephenson spontaneously jumped 
on stage to accompany Helland during his solo guitar performance. The artistic union
was immediate, powerful and undeniable. The two began to tour with fevered zeal,
turning heads with their striking aesthetic, steadily building fervent fans on the
mystical-folk/steampunk festival, coffeehouse, convention, and club circuits with
their boisterous, revival-like live shows.

Over the years, they’ve performed live with **Dead Can Dance’s Peter Ulrich **and**
Dresden Dolls’ Brian Viglione**, and opened for **Thomas Dolby, Dinosaur Jr., The
World Inferno Friendship Society, Rasputina, Cruxshadows, Hurray For The Riff Raff**
and** The Young Dubliners. **

The ‘Zen Ghost’ LP is out now via **EA Recordings** and can be found across fine
digital outlets, including [**Apple Music**](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/frenchy-and-the-punk/453505184)**,
[Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/artist/7fRd6n7FhjhaUUKYiUHmXf?si=6swbAo8OTxueOJcTwceEkA)**
and** [Bandcamp](http://www.frenchyandthepunk.bandcamp.com/)**. It is also available
on CD [**via the band’s website**](https://batfrogs.com/product/zen-ghost-cd).

![](https://i0.wp.com/redirect.haulix.com/AaEAgWVrjf13RdUDYkUd0yYy1o-np9iay2RLGgTl86c%
3D/PromoAccessory_667241.jpg?w=1290&ssl=1)

**CREDITS**
All songs written by Samantha Stephenson and Scott HellandSamantha Stephenson–
lyrics, lead vocal, percussion, keyboardScott Helland – guitar, bass, drums, backing
vocalsJason Sarubbi – upright bass on ‘Church of Sound’Braxton Bellew – additional
electric bass on ‘Church of Sound’Recorded & mixed by Jason Sarubbi at Split Rock
Studios, New Paltz, NYMastered at The Cage, Coventry UK by Martin BowesCover photo
by Alice TeeplePen and ink drawings by Scott HellandAlbum cover design by Scott 
Helland and Samantha Stephenson

**TOUR DATES**
Feb 4/5  Manchester, CT – Stupid Cupid Steampunk FestivalFeb 18/19
Gettsyburg, PA – MythiCon FestivalApril 01   Galveston, TX – Galveston Steampunk
FestivalApril 8-9  Baltimore, MD – Between The WorldsApril 15/16  Chicago, IL – 
Chicago Steampunk ExpoApril 22/23   Apex, NC – Festival of Legends

**FOR FANS OF: **
Siouxsie and the Banshees, Concrete Blonde, Florence and the Machine,
Blondie, Grace Slick, The B-52’s, Dresden Dolls

**Keep up with Frenchy and the Punk**
[Website](http://www.frenchyandthepunk.com/)
| [Bandcamp](http://www.frenchyandthepunk.bandcamp.com/) | [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/frenchyandthepunk)
| [Instagram](http://www.instagram.com/frenchyandthepunk) | [Twitter](http://www.twitter.com/frenchyNthepunk)
| [YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/frenchyandthepunk) | [Soundcloud ](https://soundcloud.com/frenchyandthepunk)
| [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/frenchy-and-the-punk/453505184)
| [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/artist/7fRd6n7FhjhaUUKYiUHmXf?si=6swbAo8OTxueOJcTwceEkA)

**Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR**
[Website](http://www.shamelesspromotionpr.com/)
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