New Music: The Van Pelt – Kris Is Riding Horses In Ojai

Formed in the crucible of the indie and rock tempest that was early 90s New York, The Van Pelt never sought out fame or industry approval.

The intervening years have seen the band, consisting of Chris Leo, Neil O’Brien, Brian Maryansky, and Sean Greene, find their own way forward musically. A hiatus from 1997 saw their reputation grow in their absence, with the band returning in 2023 with Artisans & Merchants, an album of new songs.

Kris Is Riding Horses In Ojai is the introduction to their fifth album, the hopefully not-prophetic Remain Obscure. The track is faithful to their roots, and when you help define the sound of that era, that’s no surprise – they deserve it.

Swirling around in a heady broth of post-punk, No Wave, and funereal hardcore, it’s headstrong and wilfully defiant of trends. Lyrical and literate, sardonic and sharply defined, it won’t fit in any neat box – and that is its true strength. The Van Pelt are worthy of the legend that has built up around them.   

States Leo about the song, “Kris is Riding Horses In Ojai is a call to arms for all the sleeper cells of dreamers who’ve been dispersed and compromised by life, but who’s inner flames can’t be doused.”

Remain Obscure will be released on the 18th of September and is now available to pre-order on Bandcamp from Ernest Jenning (USA), Wrong Speed (UK and EU), and La Tempesta (Italy). For album updates and details of a release party for Remain Obscure in October, follow The Van Pelt on Instagram and Facebook.