# NYC-French Postpunk Duo FRENCHY AND THE PUNK Present Seventh Full-Length Album ‘Zen Ghost’

- Link: https://www.nyrdcast.com/nyc-french-postpunk-duo-frenchy-and-the-punk-present-seventh-full-length-album-zen-ghost/
- Published: 2022-10-31T14:15:00-05:00
- Author: Eugene Tierney

**NYC-French postpunk duo Frenchy and the Punk present seventh full-length album‘
Zen Ghost’**

_“Explosive, subdued, confrontational, soothing, spikey, and accessible, an incredible
blend of alt-rock shade and alt-folk light” _~ **[Big Takeover Magazine](https://ddec1-0-en-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2fbigtakeover.com%2frecordings%2fFrenchyandthePunkMonSouvenirEARecordings&umid=c1828016-0dc4-4e2a-a4cf-84a6892f948a&auth=65a620fa4b6e2edf0405a6ed61dc7465231096cd-22f25b9897a326dc7440c797d9fcedad1871f089)**

_“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://ddec1-0-en-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2fspillmagazine.com%2fspill%2dalbum%2dpremiere%2dfrenchy%2dand%2dthe%2dpunk%2dzen%2dghost%2f&umid=c1828016-0dc4-4e2a-a4cf-84a6892f948a&auth=65a620fa4b6e2edf0405a6ed61dc7465231096cd-d19b973b305fe126eed1b3102b01983628b59f2a)**

_“Penetrating psych-soaked post-punk… Brimming with their signature cinematic drama
and that unforgettable voice” _~ **[Global Texan Chronicles](https://ddec1-0-en-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2fglobaltexanchronicles.com%2fmon%2dsouvenir%2f&umid=c1828016-0dc4-4e2a-a4cf-84a6892f948a&auth=65a620fa4b6e2edf0405a6ed61dc7465231096cd-aad207306e75405d34581fb05bceab5e458ea50b)**

_“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://ddec1-0-en-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2famplifymusicmag.com%2fpremiere%2dmon%2dsouvenir%2dby%2dfrenchy%2dand%2dthe%2dpunk%2dbursts%2dwith%2dnew%2dwave%2dcircus%2dpunk%2dgoodness%2f&umid=c1828016-0dc4-4e2a-a4cf-84a6892f948a&auth=65a620fa4b6e2edf0405a6ed61dc7465231096cd-bcc17dbc0f5cc4c4f4c23282ea18b3ea6e2701a7)**

_“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://ddec1-0-en-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2fringmasterreviewintroduces.wordpress.com%2f2022%2f10%2f05%2fmarch%2dof%2dthe%2dshameless%2dstep%2d1%2f&umid=c1828016-0dc4-4e2a-a4cf-84a6892f948a&auth=65a620fa4b6e2edf0405a6ed61dc7465231096cd-ea4b2ba5b33e99ed016f3428c49520987ad5b8d3)

![](https://i0.wp.com/redirect.haulix.com/UgODXQuQxxa9JPQD2aVbP08UBtLphiqqkNW1vzj86bo%
3D/PromoAccessory_820619.jpg?w=1290&ssl=1)

**Photo by Alice Teeple**

NYC-based postpunk duo [**Frenchy and the Punk**](https://ddec1-0-en-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.frenchyandthepunk.com&umid=c1828016-0dc4-4e2a-a4cf-84a6892f948a&auth=65a620fa4b6e2edf0405a6ed61dc7465231096cd-b9550e9f23e026757e9a2a15f8d7cddad12df22a)****
present their new [**‘Zen Ghost’**](https://ddec1-0-en-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2ffrenchyandthepunk.bandcamp.com%2falbum%2fzen%2dghost&umid=c1828016-0dc4-4e2a-a4cf-84a6892f948a&auth=65a620fa4b6e2edf0405a6ed61dc7465231096cd-1ad46405473e81687b9c6e38a512b227fbafeb9c)
album. Their seventh long-player record, released via the **EA Recordings**, follows
the high energy lead track [**‘Mon Souvenir’ **](https://ddec1-0-en-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2fyoutu.be%2f3UlLC57AHsQ&umid=c1828016-0dc4-4e2a-a4cf-84a6892f948a&auth=65a620fa4b6e2edf0405a6ed61dc7465231096cd-1125aeeb727830d9bb560d2e4dc6d4c391352403)
and Siouxsie-esque single [**‘Come In and Play’**](https://ddec1-0-en-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2fyoutu.be%2fDcierLOU%5fWM&umid=c1828016-0dc4-4e2a-a4cf-84a6892f948a&auth=65a620fa4b6e2edf0405a6ed61dc7465231096cd-d391c4351801a315237d6fc2dc53d2c0c803963e).

Dark times make for dark songs. On ‘Zen Ghost’, the duo’s shadowy sound takes an
even darker turn. An inward spin, into the pair’s previously unexplored personal
planes and interpretations of the insanity of our increasingly tumultuous age. But
despite its more pronounced moodiness, like the rest of the band’s oeuvre, ‘Zen 
Ghost’ offers plenty of opportunities to dance in the darkness.

Frenchy and the Punk is vocalist, percussionist and lyricist **Samantha Stephenson**
and guitarist-composer **Scott Helland**, who was co-founder and bassist of **Outpatients**
and also [**Deep Wound**](https://ddec1-0-en-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.allmusic.com%2fartist%2fdeep%2dwound%2dmn0001356350&umid=c1828016-0dc4-4e2a-a4cf-84a6892f948a&auth=65a620fa4b6e2edf0405a6ed61dc7465231096cd-9acc44ef9b2c8bfd757caea458c0f634976e49f0)****(
along with **Dinosaur Jr.** founders **J Mascis** and **Lou Barlow**). Influenced
by The Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Blondie, Concrete Blonde and The B52’s, 
the duo thrive in their trademark blend of post-punk and dark folk music.

“We started writing Zen Ghost at the end of 2020 and have a few tracks that were
written as recently as Spring 2022. It highlights the darker tones of what we do
and is influenced by the environment in which we all live in at the moment,” says**
Samantha Stephens**.

Come in and Play

[⌊Come in and Play⌉⌊Come in and Play⌉
Watch this video on YouTube

“The core theme to the album is ‘mind phantoms,’ the ghosts of our past that reside
in our minds and can influence our present. The theme of breaking the chains of 
life choices that don’t align with one’s true authentic self has been rampant in
the lyrics throughout the years. This record delves into the remnants of the voices
and experiences that can still haunt us. This is the album we’ve always wanted to
make.”

![](https://i0.wp.com/redirect.haulix.com/CZX9X7sLPFQhspBk6XKCJvDs7uCOLtcbj2bmw7A-
9z4%3D/PromoAccessory_576530.jpg?resize=422%2C343&ssl=1)

**Photo by Alice Teeple**

Tapped as one of the Top 25 duos in the US by Yahoo! Music, the freewheeling pair
has released [**numerous recordings**](https://ddec1-0-en-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2ffrenchyandthepunk.bandcamp.com&umid=c1828016-0dc4-4e2a-a4cf-84a6892f948a&auth=65a620fa4b6e2edf0405a6ed61dc7465231096cd-4a9ccd7519cddea3a1c5c68f25fff99bfb71c90b),
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. **

As of October 28, the ‘Zen Ghost’ LP can be found across fine digital outlets, including
[**Apple Music**](https://ddec1-0-en-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2fmusic.apple.com%2fus%2fartist%2ffrenchy%2dand%2dthe%2dpunk%2f453505184&umid=c1828016-0dc4-4e2a-a4cf-84a6892f948a&auth=65a620fa4b6e2edf0405a6ed61dc7465231096cd-efab1790b7b4529c6f2c828d5ef90d7a319538cf)**,
[Spotify](https://ddec1-0-en-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2fopen.spotify.com%2fartist%2f7fRd6n7FhjhaUUKYiUHmXf%3fsi%3d6swbAo8OTxueOJcTwceEkA&umid=c1828016-0dc4-4e2a-a4cf-84a6892f948a&auth=65a620fa4b6e2edf0405a6ed61dc7465231096cd-ef69f7b14cbeb61f873b19ad9b43986adef5f25d)**
and** [Bandcamp](https://ddec1-0-en-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.frenchyandthepunk.bandcamp.com&umid=c1828016-0dc4-4e2a-a4cf-84a6892f948a&auth=65a620fa4b6e2edf0405a6ed61dc7465231096cd-84c000fcd9d8a41985949c793bd1532181069530)**.
It is also available on CD [**via the band’s website**](https://ddec1-0-en-ctp.trendmicro.com/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2fbatfrogs.com%2fproduct%2fzen%2dghost%2dcd&umid=c1828016-0dc4-4e2a-a4cf-84a6892f948a&auth=65a620fa4b6e2edf0405a6ed61dc7465231096cd-46eb14c18b51f70a60638cb0c2e1e33b430654f2).

**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

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

**TRACK LIST**
1. Mon Souvenir2. Temple of Sleep3. If the World Doesn’t End First4.
Gear Geist5. Church of Sound6. Come In and Play7. Paradise Found8. Blood9. Oxygen10.
I’ll See You Again

**TOUR DATES**
Oct 28   Baltimore, MD – FaerieConDec 2  Camden/London – Black Heart(
with Before Victoria & Flesh Tetris)Dec 6  Edinburgh, UK – The Wee Red BarDec 10
Exeter, UK – Yule Ball (with Professor Elemental)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**
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