Q&A: Pan Arcadia on Collaboration, Comfort and the Road to ‘All My Friends Vol. II’
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ INTERVIEW BY SYDNEY TATE ☆
Photo By Kelly Dulac
THERE’S SOMETHING QUIETLY MAGNETIC ABOUT PAN ARCADIA - a band that thrives in the in-between moments. Their songs live where vulnerability meets warmth, where indie rock hooks soften into something deeply human, and where collaboration isn’t just a buzzword but a genuine creative compass. The group has built a world that feels intimate without ever feeling small, shaped by friendships, late-night studio experiments and an openness to letting other voices color their sound.
With All My Friends Vol. II just a week away, that spirit of community feels especially fitting. On January 22nd, Pan Arcadia will take the stage at Sony Hall alongside Renny Conti, Mary Shelley, Bay Faction, and DJ mer marcum for a night centered on connection - between artists, audiences and the songs that tie them together. It’s the kind of lineup that mirrors the band’s own approach to music: collaborative, unpretentious, and rooted in genuine love for the scene they’re part of.
Ahead of the show, we chatted with Pan Arcadia’s Eamon Rush to talk about creative rituals, unexpected influences, the joy of working with close friends, and what goes through his head in those quiet hours before stepping on stage. From aquascaping and paperback books to Midwest emo deep dives and new music on the way, our conversation offers a window into the thoughtful, slightly surreal, and refreshingly grounded mind behind Pan Arcadia’s sound.
All My Friends Vol. II lands at Sony Hall on January 22nd — grab your tickets now!
Photo by Kayla B
LUNA: Have you played a show with the other bands on the All My Friends Vol. 2 bill before?
RUSH: Never! Looking forward to seeing what kind of energy everybody brings.
LUNA: What does collaboration in music-making mean to you? And what are you most excited about with your new single with Bec Lauder?
RUSH: We enjoy fresh perspectives and sounds from people outside of the band. I think it's an easy way to make a song have its own identity on the album. Bec is a close friend, so when we wanted a female vocalist on “Don’t Mean Much,” she was a no-brainer — absolutely knocked it out of the park.
We also had a great band named Mayqueen provide vocals for another track called “Connected.” On the instrumental side, Kellon Reese (of Sammy Rae and the Friends) gave us some saxophone to sprinkle on the album.
LUNA: What’s your favorite wintertime activity?
RUSH: Making music indoors.
LUNA: What celebrity embodies your ideal sense of personal style?
RUSH: SpongeBob SquarePants.
LUNA: What song of yours feels best to show someone who’s never heard your music before? Why did you pick it?
RUSH: Ideally the whole album — otherwise we’d need to sense the vibe. It has to match the energy of the room. But they could start with “Don’t Mean Much” and “Connected.”
LUNA: Do you prefer paperback or hardback books? Why?
RUSH: Paperback, because they’re easier to read on your side in bed.
LUNA: Do you have creative outlets outside of music? If so, feel free to share as much as you’d like about them.
RUSH: I like aquascaping and making shrines.
LUNA: How do you normally spend your day leading into a show?
RUSH: Before our first “big” shows, Henry and I would notice ourselves getting hit with a wave of exhaustion right before going on and start uncontrollably yawning — some strange way of anxiety presenting itself. We’ve played enough now that it doesn’t happen as much.
LUNA: Don’t cheat — when you open your phone right now, what was the last song you were listening to? Feel free to defend yourself if needed.
RUSH: I’m currently listening to “Death Cup” by Mom Jeans. Never listened to this band before this moment. Yesterday I was jamming with my friends in a group called Dune Blue, and when they mentioned Midwest emo, I realized I didn’t know much about the genre — so I’m digging in today.
LUNA: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
RUSH: We’re putting out a new single called “Birds in a Cage” on January 23rd. Check it out!
