The Rare Occasions

The Rare Occasions are an American indie rock band, formed in Boston in 2012.[1] Current members are Brian McLaughlin (vocals, guitar), Jeremy Cohen (bass guitar, backup vocals) and Luke Imbusch (drums, backup vocals). Lead guitarist Peter Stone left in 2018.[2] The band's debut release was the Demo Recordings EP (2012). In 2016, Futureproof was released as a fourth EP. "Notion", a song from the EP, went viral on TikTok in October 2021.[3] Their most recent release has been Black Balloons as of October 17th, 2023.

The Rare Occasions
OriginBoston, Massachusetts, US Los Angeles, California, US
GenresGarage rock, indie rock, indie pop, alt rock
Years active2012 (2012)–present
Members
  • Brian McLaughlin
  • Jeremy Cohen
  • Luke Imbusch
Past members
  • Peter Stone
Websitetherareoccasions.com

History

In high school, Mclaughlin and Imbusch joined a band called The Valar in Providence, Rhode Island. The Valar developed 2 EP's and 1 Album throughout its 3-year lifespan. That being "Valague​ñ​a", "The Project", and "The Adventures of a Septapus Named Wallace". The group disbanded in 2010 due to each member matriculating at different colleges, deeming it impractical to continue making music for the majority of the year. McLaughlin and Imbusch left the band, met Stone and Cohen at their respective colleges, and decided to add them to the band. Thus forming The Rare Occasions. McLaughlin came up with the name after the band went through an "identity crisis," eventually settling on "The Rare Occasions" instead of "The Custodians," which they previously went by.[1]

Shortly after the release of their first album Into The Shallows, lead guitarist Peter Stone left the band amicably, leading to the band becoming a 3-piece.

Band later relocated from Boston, Massachusetts to Los Angeles, California, where they recorded their second album.[4]

Their first release was the Demo Recordings EP, released on October 12, 2012, followed by Applefork in 2013. Two studio albums were recorded, Into the Shallows (2018), and Big Whoop (2021).[2][5]

Style

The Rare Occasions were described as a garage rock,[6] indie rock, and indie pop[2] band. The EP Futureproof introduced experimentation – string arrangements and woodwind instruments, suggested by Imbusch and vocal harmonies.[6] 2021 album Big Whoop featured Wall of Sound guitars, electronic landscapes and further orchestral arrangements; McLaughlin's lyrics are sometimes philosophical and often deal with existentialism.[2]

Members

Current members
  • Brian McLaughlin – lead vocals, rhythm (2012 – present) and lead guitars, keyboards
  • Jeremy Cohen – bass guitar (2012 – present), rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  • Luke Imbusch – drums, harmony, backing vocals (2012 – present)

Past members
  • Peter Stone – lead guitar, backing vocals (2012 – 2018)

Discography

Albums
  • Into the Shallows (2018)
  • Big Whoop (2021)

EPs
  • Demo Recordings (2012)
  • Applefork (2013)
  • Feelers (2014)
  • Futureproof (2016)
  • Attaboy (2022)

Singles
  • "An Actuary Retires" (2015)
  • "Aglow" (2015)
  • "Backwards" (2017) (Later Deleted
  • "Mercy Mercy" (2018)
  • "You Weren't Meant to See That" (2018)
  • "Physics" (2018)
  • "Control" (2019)
  • "Set It Right" (2020)
  • "Alone" (2020)
  • "Stay" (2021)
  • "Call Me When You Get There" (2021)
  • "Origami" (2021)
  • "Notion" via Elektra Records (2021)
  • "Notion (Acoustic)" (2022)
  • "Notion (Cinematic)" (2022)
  • "Seasick" (2022)
  • "Not Afraid" (2022)
  • "Start This Over"(2023)
  • "Black Balloons" (2023)

References
  1. Muslin, Kristin (May 15, 2014). "SoundCheck: The Rare Occasions put a quirky spin on music". USA Today. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  2. "The Rare Occasions artist profile". SubmitHub. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  3. Wasylak, Victoria (October 18, 2021). "Boston Thriving: The Rare Occasions top Spotify's 'Viral 50 – USA' chart". Vanyaland. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  4. "The Rare Occasions official website". Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  5. "The Rare Occasions". Discogs. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  6. Darosa, Andrew (August 3, 2016). "Rare Occasions bridge divide on latest album". The Providence Journal. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
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