Following the release of their debut EP ‘Growler’, we caught up with The Arrivals.
The indie four-piece have already performed alongside a host of top bands including The Milk, Little Comets and Reverend and The Makers and will return to the Amersham Arms on August 15th.
With their debut EP out now, we caught up with guitarist Dan Surridge-Smith from the band to find out more about the chaps and their incense-fuelled live sets…
Can you tell us more about the band formation?
The band itself was formed from the ashes of several previous attempts to make good music. The special thing about our current line up is that every member has brought with them the best aspects of their old projects. We’re slightly experimental at the moment and we’re never sure what we’re going to come up with next, which is really exciting for us.
Which bands/artists would you say influence your sound?
Everyone has come from such a varied background that there’s so many different influences flying around. We’ve seen some special gigs too, which have changed our perspective on live shows and made us think a lot about what we’re doing. I’d say it’s whatever each person is digging at the time. At the moment, we’re massively into Public Service Broadcasting, Tame Impala and Hot Since 82.
You’ve recently released your debut EP ‘Growler’, how did yo go about the recording process for this?
The recording process for the EP didn’t take long. I’d like to say we went out into the countryside where we found ourselves and tracked it all in some hidden away barn with a studio, but in reality, we wrote the songs in the evenings after finishing our ‘nine to five’s, gigged them every weekend for about six months and then went back to the same studio and laid them down in about a week. We’re really happy with the results and now we’ve got our first EP under our belt. We’re looking forward to pushing the boat our with our next lot of recordings.
Are there any tracks in particular from the EP you’re looking forward to playing live?
The tracks from the EP are always in our live sets. ‘Growler’ means so much to us as we’re all so happy with how each song sounds. We sound exactly the same live as we do on record, so being able to play something that you can listen to in exactly the same manner is a real treat for us.
How would you describe a live set from The Arrivals?
Before we start playing any show we light incense on stage, Harry takes his shoes off and Dave sits in his drum throne, so chilled out it might as well be an armchair. We try and make it an Arrivals show. We get as comfortable as possible and make the stage our own. The more relaxed we are on stage, the more we enjoy playing and that way we can really get into the zone and put on the best show we can.
Out of all the gigs you’ve performed so far, are there any standout shows?
It was probably playing in London for the first time at the Amersham Arms. Travelling all the way up, with all of our gear and mates was a great feeling. Playing in front of a rowdy 280-300 people with Bombay Bicycle Club DJ’ing after us was a pretty standout gig. It was over quickly, but an incredible night.
Are there any gig venues you’re eager to play by the end of the year?
It was Portsmouth’s very own Wedgewood Rooms, but we played it last July and got blown away by the sound that the venue produces. It was also the first venue that we’ve played with a f*** off strobe light. Probably should have mentioned that Harry has epilepsy…
What are your plans for the rest of 2015?
A new single. We have some absolute tunes lined up at the moment and we’re itching to get them recorded. If we have the cash, then a music video is definitely on the cards, but not a DIY music video, the proper thing.
Anything else you wish to add?
Listen to ‘Growler’ when drunk or intoxicated, it’s quite enthralling.
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