Periphery has released a two-song single, "Acoustic Singles", featuring stripped down versions of “Scarlet” (from "Periphery II") and “It’s Only Smiles” (from "Periphery IV: Hail Stan"), which can be heard here: https://go.mhe.fm/periphery_acoustic.
“We had Mike Dawes out with us on tour last fall and we decided to have an acoustic break in our set where Mike would come out and perform these two songs with me,” explains vocalist Spencer Sotelo. “The crowd response was electric every night! We figured we’d try and capture that magic in the studio and recreate the whole vibe. The songs actually ended up taking on a whole new feel once they were recorded, and ended up sounding so fresh and unique that we’ve even talked about possibly doing more in the future. I hope everyone enjoys them as much as we do.”
Dawes is regarded as one of the world’s most creative modern acoustic guitarists, and has been named “Best Acoustic Guitarist in the World” multiple times by Total Guitar and MusicRadar’s reader polls. His next solo record and U.S. solo tour is scheduled for this summer.
“I’ve been a fan of the guys in Periphery as musicians and humans for well over a decade so recording these was extra special,” adds Dawes. “Back in 2016, I realized a solo cover of “Scarlet” as a way to showcase the melodic side of heavy music to my, at the time, pretty anti-metal fanbase so it’s cool to have rearranged it along with “It’s Only Smiles” to introduce the modern acoustic playing to Periphery’s fans. The November tour opening up for the guys was such a blast, and Spencer and I locked into a kind of synergy you can only really get through gigging. Too bad there wasn’t time to track our neurotically profound Backstreet Boys’ covers. Maybe someday.”
"Acoustic Singles" is also available as a limited edition (500 copies) 7-inch single on white and gold vinyl.
Periphery is Jake Bowen (guitar), Matt Halpern (drums), Mark Holcomb (guitar), Misha Mansoor (guitar), and Spencer Sotelo (vocals). The D.C.-born band have released six albums since 2010: Periphery (2010), Periphery II: This Time It’s Personal (2012), the two part Juggernaut: Alpha and Juggernaut: Omega (2015), Periphery III: Select Difficulty (2016), Periphery IV: Hail Stan (2019) and Periphery V: Djent Is Not A Genre (2023). Over their career they have received two GRAMMY-Award nominations and have graced the covers of multiple magazines, including Guitar World, Revolver, Modern Drummer, and Bass Player. The band continues to explore avenues outside of their core work with Periphery, both with numerous side projects (Bulb, Haunted Shores, Four Seconds Ago, King Mothership, etc.), partnerships with various instrument companies, the creation of GetGood Drums (software libraries featuring drum and guitar packs), and an in-person camping experience with clinics (Periphery Summer Jam).