The Rare Occasions

Known for their explosive sound and piercing lyrics, The Rare Occasions are an LA based, New England bred indie rock band. The group has taken on a fiercely independent stance in their music, recording and producing the songs themselves in their cramped rehearsal space. Their music delivers themes of existentialism and self-reflection, from buzzing highs to sulking lows, in concise yet unforgettable packages.

Singer Brian McLaughlin and drummer Luke Imbusch have been making music together since their teenage years. In college they met bassist Jeremy Cohen and guitarist Peter Stone. The Rare Occasions got off the line quick, winning the John Lennon Songwriting Contest and the WBRU Rock Hunt, playing opening slots for major artists including Guster, Lupe Fiasco, and Smash Mouth, and performing at venues and festivals such as SXSW, CMJ, and NAMM.

The band relocated to Los Angeles and began work on their full-length debut, Into The Shallows. Its release initiated a wave of new fans as listeners from around the world discovered The Rare Occasions online. In 2019 they cut down to a three-piece and quickly began writing new material, reinventing themselves. Their new sound features three-part harmonies, wall-of-sound instrumentation, and a refined focus on delivering meaning through songwriting. An acoustic version of “Call Me When You Get There” was featured on NPR’s “All Songs Considered” blog earlier this year, and a studio version of “Control” will be released in November.