“Power-polychord instrumental rock at its finest...”
— Downbeat (2019)
 
 

New Nostalgia is a Chicago-based fusion horn band that blends jazz, pop and rock together in hard-hitting instrumental ensemble arrangements. New Nostalgia strives to satisfy the ears while also challenging them.

 
 

Led by saxophonist and composer/ arranger Neil Carson, New Nostalgia straddles genre lines with intricate arranging and improvisation, singable melodies, and unstoppable rock energy.

New Nostalgia’s 2019 self-titled debut album features instrumental covers of 1980’s pop songs and was awarded 4 stars from Downbeat magazine, writing “Power-polychord instrumental rock at its finest, toying thoughtfully with form, deconstructing and reconstructing melody lines...and soloing with soul-stirring exuberance.” In 2021 they released Frankenstein Sessions, a remote-recorded EP of covid-era original material, and in 2022 recorded three singles for upcoming release.

 
 
 
 

  • Neil Carson - Alto Sax, Composer/Arranger

  • Connor Bernhard - Trumpet

  • Anthony Bruno - Tenor Sax

  • Matt Kowalski - Trombone

  • Andy Schlinder - Bari Sax

  • Brandon Hunt - Guitar

  • Andrew Lawrence - Piano

  • Tim Seisser - Bass

  • Zack Marks - Drums

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

New Nostalgia’s latest single Stars Last Me a Lifetime was released on Dec 9, 2022. Written and originally performed by Cut/Copy, this single furthers New Nostalgia’s penchant for utterly unique cover interpretations, reinventing the familiar to create something brand new in the intersection of jazz and pop/rock.

 
 
 
 
 
 

2022

Apr 15/16; Sep 16/17; Nov 18/19 - - - Andy’s Jazz Club; Chicago

Dec 16 - - - Reggie’s Rock Club (w/ Spocket); Chicago

Sep 28 - - - Montrose Saloon (Mark Sandman 70th Birthday Tribute); Chicago

Sep 25 - - - Golden Dagger (w/ Wills McKenna’s Path); Chicago IL

Jul 28 - - - Cole’s Bar (w/ Cordoba, Knotts); Chicago IL

Jun 8 - - - Elmhurst Hall; Elmhurst, IL

Jan 29 - - - Fitzgerald’s; Berwyn, IL

2021

Sep 8 - - - Hey Nonny (Frankenstein Sessions EP Release); Arlington Heights, IL

Jul 7 - - - Fulton Street Collective; Chicago IL

2019

Apr 12 - - - Martyrs’ (New Nostalgia Album Release); Chicago, IL

 
 
 
 

STARS LAST ME A LIFETIME

Recorded: Nov 19, 2022 Released: Dec 9, 2022

Written and originally performed by Cut/Copy, this single furthers New Nostalgia’s penchant for utterly unique cover interpretations, reinventing the familiar to create something brand new in the pop-rock lens.

FRANKENSTEIN SESSIONS

Recorded: Jul 2020 - May 2021 Released: Sep 8, 2021

New Nostalgia’s first release of all-original material. Recorded entirely remotely during the coronavirus pandemic, Frankenstein Sessions further documents New Nostalgia’s ever-evolving jazz/pop/rock sound.

TRYIN’

Recorded: Feb - Mar 2021 Released: May 7, 2021

An original composition inspired by composer Neil Carson’s emotional coping strategies during the coronavirus pandemic. “Tryin” gets its title from a common response Neil gave to the question “how are you?”

EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD (LIVE)

Recorded: Apr 12, 2019 Released: May 7, 2021

Originally written/performed by Tears for Fears, this single was recorded live at New Nostalgia’s debut album release show at Martyrs’ in Chicago.

MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE

Recorded: Sep 2020 Released: Mar 5, 2021

Originally written/performed by The Police, New Nostalgia takes on this classic tune with a prog/fusion twist.

BIZARRE LOVE TRIANGLE

Recorded: Sep 2020 Released: Mar 5, 2021

Originally written/recorded by New Order in 1986, New Nostalgia’s version slows down this synth-pop classic to create a funk-pop romp rendition.

NEW NOSTALGIA

Recorded: Mar 2020 Released: Sep 3, 2020

Taking its influences from "power pop," that style of pop-rock with a distinctly joyful, catchy, melodic sensibility, “New Nostalgia” furthers the band’s mission to bring jazz, pop, and rock together in a banging fashion.

TURN OF PHRASE

Recorded: Mar 2020 Released: Sep 4, 2020

An original composition inspired by the nuances of the English language. "Turn of Phrase" is a song of gestures—a musical ode not to what we say, but to how we say it.

NEW NOSTALGIA (Debut Album)

Recorded: Jul 18 + 19, 2018 Released: Apr 8, 2019

New Nostalgia’s debut studio album features one-of-a-kind cover interpretations of 1980s pop tunes by Tears for Fears, Peter Gabriel, Tracy Chapman, and others. The album received 4 stars from Downbeat.

 
 
 
 

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