By Daffs (TwoDaff)

Having just signed to ADR Records, I managed to have a bit of a chinwag with Scottish band Arcade State about all things music.

Hi Guys firstly thanks for letting Awayday Radio interview you please introduce yourselves?

We are Ciaran, Jordan, Scott, Davy and Kieran from Scottish alternative pop rock band Arcade State

What first got you into music and how did you get together…brief history of the band?

Ciaran:  I started playing music cause Jordan was in a band and I wanted to be like him and I just absolutely loved the bands he let me listen to.

How would you describe your sound?

Our sound is a mix of all the bands me and Jordan have listened to through the years, the main ones being Fatherson,  Twin Atlantic and    The Xcerts  We feel we have created something that’s different to anything in the scene right now and we can provide music for all types, ballad lovers, fast paced rockers, anthemic chorus lovers. We do it all and we do it well!

What other songs or albums have you done?

So far we’ve released 10 singles so now it’s time to move away from that and give something else something bigger and better and maybe a slight change of direction but still have that quintessential Arcade State sound.

You have just signed up to ADR Records, how did that come about?

We had spoke to Deano about it a while ago but we had nothing big enough planned to warrant signing onto a label but we have huge plans now and are buzzing to get started with ADR.

You must be excited about this, how are you feeling?

Absolutely buzzing for it, it’s something really big we are trying to do for a band at our level but we are an ambitious band so go big or go home we say.

Any hints on a first release with ADR?

Remember remember ❄️

Where have you performed lately?

We’ve played a lot of shows this year, a sold out Manchester headline and also our huge SWG3 headline which we sold out are highlights.

What are your favourite Venues?

Our favourite so far is probably the caves in Edinburgh it’s stunning and the sound was incredible.

Do you have any upcoming shows?

We play king tuts on the 20th of August and have another few shows lined up that are still to be announced.

What is your favourite song to perform?

Couple of the new songs are really fun to play, but from the older songs ‘Hard To Grow’ is a favourite as it’s class to hear the crowd sing it back to us.

There are a fair few bands in Scotland at the moment, who have you been listening to?

We love the classics as mentioned before, Twin Atlantic, the xcerts, Fatherson. As for new bands we love  Vlure,  Jawn Ladder, Spyres, Swim School, Retro Video Club there’s loads in Scotland the scene is ridiculously good.

Glasgow has a pretty vibrant gig scene, but gigs seem to stop there, up here in the North we are starved of gigs, why do you think that is?

 Glasgow is the epicentre for music in Scotland it has a gig scene like nowhere else and the crowds are extra special so I think most bands from up North seem to come down here and play rather than go up North.

Which famous musicians do you admire and why?

The band that’s the reason for this band is Nirvana so Kurt and Dave from Nirvana hold special importance as without their influence we wouldn’t love music the way we do.

What do you like most about playing music?

We love the connection some people find in our music and the joy that you can see it brings when your on stage.

What inspired you to start playing and making music?

 Just listening to bands that we’ve mentioned growing up and always thinking we’d love to make our own music that we could play to people.

Describe your creative process when you write new music.

Always starts on the acoustic guitar with Ciaran and then he brings the bare bones into the studio and everybody puts their parts on it and it becomes your classic Arcade State tune.

What is the best advice you’ve been given?

Never ever compare yourselves to anybody else as it’ll be your downfall, it doesn’t matter what other bands are doing or the opportunities they are getting if you work hard enough good opportunities will fall your way.

If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?

The absolute pittance that promoters think they can pay bands musicians need to be paid fairly for what they are providing.

How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?

I think social media and the internet has been absolutely amazing for bands to get out there more and reach a wider audience although it can be very over saturated with lots of bands doing the same thing.

Whats the funniest thing that’s happened on stage?

Nothing really funny has happened on stage, to be honest it’s pretty serious up there 😂

Who is the joker in the pack?

We all take turns of giving wee Davy it absolutely stinkin it’s the glue that holds this band together.

Favourite beverage?

Nothing beats a glass bottle of Irn bru.

Finally…a message to the fans…what would you like to say?

Watch this space, we’re coming with something bigger and better than what’s been put out there ❤️‍🔥

Well you guys have a bright future ahead, good luck with everything and congratulations, see you on a world tour someday!