Small Black Arrows Interview

Fresh, unique, exquisite & mesmerising – new experimental folk pop duo Small Black Arrows release their debut 3-track EP ‘The Wave’ as three digital singles on consecutive Fridays, with the first having been released on 29th October.

Small Black Arrows is the brainchild of Luke Bailey and Jimmy Hanley, born in lockdown and combining eclectic influences from folk to trip-hop & from R ‘n’ B to rock to create intelligent, atmospheric new music using alternative instrumentation to question traditional arrangements. Their sound is forged through passionate DIY dedication to their craft; a product of their urban, working-class roots.

Luke Bailey is an actor, screenwriter, songwriter and vocalist, perhaps best known for his roles in various TV drama’s such as Noughts and Crosses and Waterloo Road, currently residing in Llandovery, Wales. Jimmy Hanley is a platinum disc awarded (for his contribution to the critically acclaimed album ‘KevFox / Smolik’) Manchester based musician who contributes guitars, mandolin, dulcimer, lap steel, piano and bass.

Small Black Arrows formed during lockdown – what was it about this time that fuelled your creativity?

Luke: ‘’For me personally, it was two-fold, making music provided a semblance of light in what was quite a dark period for so many. Parallel to that, the physical restrictions of lockdown were a key component to driving my creativity at that point. I think a feature of all art is calculating a means to express yourself within confine, be that form and the tools that dictate it, or finance, whatever, and with everything closing down around us it was a thrilling challenge to see if we could even mould something tangible. Not knowing what would develop was exciting, a little frightening – not always being in control – but rewarding nonetheless.’’

Jimmy: ‘’I’m with Luke on this, absolutely a focus in the Lockdown, it almost meant everyone in the world was at our level – we were all equals. Nobody was in Abbey Road; they’re all doing Zooms and playing email tennis with ideas just like us. We’ve never been short of ideas, so why not push it a little further. We really didn’t know how this was going to form, it was a lump of clay and could have become anything. We were talking about session musicians playing parts, right up to the point of recording, yet in the end we made a decision to do this all ourselves – why fight the difficulties of the Lockdown? Use what’s available in the best way you can. And that is what we tried to do.’’

Luke – as an actor and screenwriter as well as a musician, do you find that each of these roles feed into each other and provide inspiration, or are they very different art forms to you?

‘’I’ve never really considered it before. I don’t think the different disciplines have ever informed each other. Probably because my process for each is constantly evolving. It depends on where I am personally or what is inspiring me at the time. Sounds so wanky but it’s difficult to explain without being abstract. I treat each character or script or song individually and try to serve it in the best way I can. The results aren’t always good, but it keeps it interesting for me.’’

Jimmy you have very successfully contributed to other people’s musical projects previously – how does it feel to be out there front and centre in a band of your own?

‘’Thank you! I had some great experiences with other people, yes. There’s just more responsibility when it’s solely your own thing. But also, greater reward, it’s our baby, we’re responsible for the good and the bad. There’s stress attached to that but there was also frustration attached to not having enough control over things that were important when you’re helping someone out with their project. Ultimately, it’s their vision, not yours and they have final say – and that’s the gig. Also, luckily Luke and I have a lot of experience being front and centre together in a live setting. So we’re really looking forward to resuming that. And I’ve thoroughly enjoyed throwing ideas around with him and us having complete creative control.’’

What can you tell me about your EP, released 29th October, and why did you decide to release each of the three tracks individually over consecutive weeks?

‘’It’s considered and reflective, melodic and at times unexpected. There’s anger, yearning and hope sprinkled throughout which I think is indicative of the social period in which it was produced. It’s genre-bending which partly informs our distinctive Small Black Arrows sound, but it was important to us that the EP be an eclectic journey, hopefully that allows us to continue to experiment and evolve.’’

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0gXWVprVyiawG03gn01HmO?si=kUYwjtiHQbWpomxhb92cvgat

Lyrics are clearly important to you – do you hope to use them to inspire and motivate your fans?

‘’That’s a lovely observation, thank you. You know I’ve never thought about the impact of our songs on others. When writing I’m not even sure I ever really think that people will hear them. Not every lyric will make it to a song. I’ve always written as a personal navigation of the world around me – mainly angry political observations or detangling the overcomplicated web of emotions I tie myself in. As I edit the lyrics, they tend to wrap themselves in metaphor and imagery. I never expect my experiences or views to be of service to others, however if people connect with them or it highlights something within them, then that is an unexpectedly delicious cherry on the proverbial. But in truth I’m selfishly baking that cake for my own consumption.’’

For more information on Small Black Arrows see the following: https://t.co/ONFsHalPiX?amp=1

Twitter: http://@SmallBLKArrows