PREMIERE: Arsun’s “Dead Sixty-Six” Has a Vintage Rock Vibe and Country Twang

The singer-songwriter (and Mario Sorrenti’s son) is touring with Cat Power this fall. 
PREMIERE: Arsun’s “Dead Sixty-Six” Has a Vintage Rock Vibe and Country Twang

The singer-songwriter (and Mario Sorrenti’s son) is touring with Cat Power this fall. 

Words: Kim March

photo by Tasmin Meyer Ersahin

September 06, 2019

New York City–based musician/model Arsun is only twenty years of age—but he’s very clearly an old soul. Growing up the son of legendary portrait photographer Mario Sorrenti, Arsun has found himself most inspired by Lou Reed, The Velvet Underground, and Bob Dylan (and actually, he sounds kind of like a young, less baritoned Iggy Pop). He’ll be opening for Cat Power on tour starting this month.

“Dead Sixty-Six” is a track off Arsun’s recently released debut EP Send Her My Way. Directed by Tasmin Meyer Ersahin, the black-and-white video definitely owes something to Sorrenti’s sultry Vogue spreads. “So fall into my arms and release me from those dressed up to do me harm,” implores the long-haired, sad-eyed rocker. 

Of the song, Arsun shares, “I wrote ‘Dead Sixty-Six’ in 2017 around the time I was finishing high school. I remember that I was very heavily influenced by Bob Dylan’s ability to write music that isn’t necessarily just about himself—how he’s able to write about situations and emotions that didn’t have to be happening to him in the moment, and to create a moment that is sincere in writing and had real emotion without having to be knee deep in it.

“The lyrics talk about the hardships in relationships, and how outside forces can sometimes try to deceive and manipulate you in order to do the relationship harm,” Arsun continues. “It goes on to describe how the relationship will prosper despite those obstacles if two people can come to an understanding, and deal with themselves rather than all of the voices trying to influence you. It’s a fun song to play live, its arrangement is upbeat which contradicts the serious lyrics a bit. It kind of has a rock vibe with a country twang which allows you to be relaxed and play a bit carelessly which is always a great feeling in a live setting.”

Watch the video and check out his tour dates with Cat Power below.

Tour Dates w/ Cat Power:

9/12 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Revolution Live
9/13 – Tampa, FL – The RITZ Ybor
9/14 – Orlando, FL – The Beacham
9/16 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle
9/17 – Charlotte, NC – The Underground at the Fillmore Charlotte
9/18 – Charlottesville, VA – The Jefferson Theater
9/20 – Northampton, MA – Academy of Music Theatre
9/22 – New York, NY – Webster Hall
9/24 – Boston, MA – ROYALE
9/25 – Washington, DC – The Lincoln Theatre
9/27 – Niagara Falls, NY – The Rapids Theatre
9/28 – Ithaca, NY – State Theatre of Ithaca