The Marshall Pass is:

Duncan Arsenault and Craig Rawding – The Marshall Pass photo by Brian Goslow

Duncan Arsenault and Craig Rawding

The Marshall Pass began as a project of Duncan’s in the Winter of 2012 in Worcester, Massachusetts. The songs that would become Abilene and Stranded In Perdition were written for the band Pistol Whipped. That April, the singer and guitarist of Pistol Whipped, Scott Ricciuti, died in a tragic car accident. Scott’s death would forever change the lives of his family and friends.

Not long after Scott’s death, Duncan played these songs for Craig and the two commiserated over the loss of their friend and musical partner.  Taking the songs home with him, Craig called later to say that he had written lyrics and melodies for them. The following weekend, at Duncan’s house, the vocals were recorded. In the months that followed, the two continued to collaborate in the same way: Duncan writing instrumental songs that Craig would listen to and write lyrics and melodies for.

Phantom Train is the beginning of this collaboration.

“It usually takes me a few listens before I allow myself to become fully seduced by a new artist, but Phantom Train got me from the very first song. There is an intimacy here, an authenticity. One gets the feeling that your music is as much a gift for yourselves as it is for your fans.” – Combustus 13