“I had the pleasure of seeing Chris do his thing at the premiere of the heralded surf film, “Dark Fall” (2 of his songs are on the soundtrack) and the honor of talking to him afterwards about his music and ascension as a recording artist. As a 3rd generation guitarist, there’s a bit of pre-destiny…”

“The budding songwriter found his muse when his father moved the family to Memphis. Despite its reputation as a musical incubator and its vaulted place among the histories of varied American genres, the teenage Arena found it…”

“Chris Arena recently released an eponymous CD of 10 songs he wrote and recorded in Memphis, Tenn. Two of the tracks, “Crazy” and “Wait,” are part of the soundtrack to the recently debuted local surfing documentary film Dark Fall by Alex DiPhillipo. See chrisarena.com for more…”

“Chris Arena believes this could be the year his career as a professional musician breaks. And his 76-year-old grandmother can take some credit. Arena, who now lives in Philadelphia, will release his self-titled debut record Tuesday to coincide with the recent premiere of “Dark Fall,” a locally filmed surfing documentary that features two of Arena’s tunes. The album, recorded at Ardent Studio in Memphis, Tenn., where Led Zeppelin and ZZ Top also cut albums, is arranged by Grammy Award-winning producer Craig Street (Nora Jones), and three-time Grammy-winning engineer Tony Maseratti (Jason Mraz)…”

Recently, two of Arena's songs were chosen by filmmaker Alex DePhillipo for his award wining documentary Dark Fall. His music has caught the attention of published poet Vincent Ancona, who wrote that, “Arena’s debut album features deeply honest lyrics, ethereal music and a wisdom well beyond his years which compels us to listen. He has crafted something that seeps beautifully into your consciousness…and stays there.”

Growing up between New Jersey and Memphis, currently residing in Los Angeles, Arena developed an early passion for singing and song-writing. His mother weaned him on a steady diet of Neil Young while his father, a pilot who spent long periods of time away from home, would teach him guitar licks whenever he was around. His grandfather, an active member of the New York jazz scene for over 35 years, passed down to Arena his sense of musical passion, diversity and a rare 1959 Les Paul.

His self-titled debut album, recorded at world renowned Ardent Studios in Memphis, TN (Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top) combines intuitive melodies with left field pop. Mixed by three time Grammy-winning  sound engineer Tony Maseratti (Jason Mraz, John Legend), this emotional debut also features arrangements by Grammy-wining  producer Craig Street (Nora Jones) as well as piano work by Rick Steff (Cat Power, Gin Blossoms, George Thorogood) and horn arrangements by the late-great legendary Willie Mitchell (Al Green). Arena has carefully fused the intimacy of  Nick Drake and the semi-sprawling sensibilities of Bright Eyes  and Alexi Murdoch with atmospheric soundscapes and beautifully vulnerable melodies. With a powerful new album in hand, and the muse by his side, the future seems to have no limit for Chris Arena.

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