15. April 2020 By Walter Price 1

…memories are better with…SINGLE: HENRY the ARCHER – “Venus”

Henry the Archer – Venus is available at Apple Music.

Fort Worth’s Henry the Archer’s recent track, “Venus”, is a powerful lament on the vulnerable and at times isolating processes of connecting. Sonically, this empathetic track is reminiscent of those hallowed sounds that The Toadies, Local H, and Spacehog were delivering in the heyday of alt-rock, cementing that those sounds are clearly far from extinct. And just like those bands, who had authentic and ineradicable connectivity to the words they wrote and dropped on us, Henry the Archer’s Richard Hennessy blatantly wears his experiences on his harder side of post-punk sleeves.

And it’s not just with this song, but also with how he wants to build bridges with his fans during these difficult times that adds sincerity to his art. As Hennessy recently posted on Facebook, “Sending everyone love and good energy. Today I’m spending a little time with Jude and working on new tunes. I miss performing with the band for y’all.

“If anyone is feeling stressed and lonely, just remember you’re not alone. Depression is real and can sneak up on you just as quickly as any virus. If you feel like you need an ear, please reach out to a good friend or family member. If you don’t feel those folks will understand or can relate, please feel free to message me. Though I am slow to respond to messages; be assured I’ll get back to you when I can. I definitely don’t have all the answers, and I’m not a doctor. But I am a human that has also experienced these conditions. I can listen and reassure you that you are loved and valued.”

So, for lyric’s that started from a place of disengagement, as the songwriter recollects, “The idea for this song was originally inspired by the emptiness I once felt inside when I was physically distant from those who made me feel whole. I couldn’t do much of anything about it.”, this song is evidence that this artist is making strides and we’re all lucky enough to go along for the ride.

You can stream “Venus” and watch last year’s film for “The Bad”, below. And go on and add both to your summertime rock n roll playlists…