Milwaukee’s post-punk project Seances, spearheaded by Eric Arsnow, has released the video for “Weighted,” the eighth track from their upcoming album Power Is a Phantom, set to drop on February 28, 2025, via Triple Eye Industries.
The record features contributions from members of Fight Dice, Tigernite, Devils Teeth, and Faux Fiction, drawing comparisons to The Cure, Joy Division, Placebo, and Gary Numan. The project embodies Arsnow’s fascination with horror films, the supernatural, and the profound emotional connections tied to déjà vu.
“Weighted” emerged during a pivotal moment for Arsnow. Reflecting on the track’s origins, he explained, “I was working on the album remotely in Kansas City, stumbled upon a synth part (the intro to ‘Weighted’) and recorded it, intending to use it in the future. On election day, driving through Iowa, the synth sketch kept creeping back into my head. Between rest stops and gas stations, I started to voice memo detailed notes of the melodies and arrangement for the whole song.”
Themes of acceptance, accountability, and empathy took shape during the journey, fueled by election-related anxieties. The recording process was swift and cathartic, cementing “Weighted” as a standout on the album.
Seances is rooted in Arsnow’s lifelong admiration for new wave and post-punk icons.
Citing The Cure and Joy Division as early inspirations, Arsnow’s musical evolution deepened when he discovered bands like The Chameleons and Sad Lovers & Giants while working at a record store. A transformative moment came in October 2023, when Arsnow attended The Chameleons’ first Milwaukee show. That night sparked an outpouring of creativity, leading to the framework for Power Is a Phantom.
“Seances was wholly inspired by seeing The Chameleons perform,” Arsnow shared. “As a fellow bass player, something clicked as I watched Mark Burgess front his band. I wrote an outline for the whole record on bass only a few hours after getting home from the show.”
The album showcases Arsnow’s multifaceted talents—vocals, bass, synths, and arrangement—complemented by guitarist Jason Kartz, whose contributions transformed the track “Fade” from a sketch into a fully realized piece. Backing vocals from Paxton and Dexter Arsnow add depth, while Justin Perkins at Mystery Room Mastering ensured the final mix was polished and cohesive.
The single’s cover art, designed by Ashley Altadonna of Tall Lady Productions, embodies folk-horror aesthetics with a scale balancing a skull and heart. This imagery mirrors themes of reconciliation and healing, aligning with Arsnow’s lyrical exploration of balancing the factual and emotional aspects of experience.
“Horror films have thematically influenced my art as a visual artist and musician for a long time,” Arsnow noted. “The X-Files sparked an interest in UFOs, which appear in the lyric video and a lot of my work. This lyric video is a tribute to my analog childhood, experiencing films and TV shows for the first time.”
The themes of Power Is a Phantom extend beyond nostalgia, delving into acceptance, connection, and perseverance.
As Arsnow summarizes, “This project allowed me to rediscover my heroes and find new approaches to writing music while taking sonic risks.”