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ARCTISKY

ARCTISKY Talks Music Therapy in an Exclusive A&R Factory Interview

In this interview, ARCTISKY opens up about how his passion for mental health awareness is deeply woven into his sound. He speaks candidly about his personal experiences, shedding light on the importance of positive self-talk and its impact on mental and physical well-being. His commitment to mental health isn’t just a topic he touches on—it’s the foundation of his music. Through his lyrics and soundscapes, ARCTISKY offers listeners a space for reflection and healing, blending his emotional depth with eclectic influences, creating something deeply personal and powerfully poignant. 

ARCTISKY, your latest single, My Relief, which hit the airwaves on September 6th is inexplicably sublime. We’d love to dig into the emotional underpinnings. Were there any personal experiences which inspired the track?

Yes, definitely! I’ve had to channel experiences from some extremely strange and dark places. Funnily enough, when I wrote this song, I was still in a state of not being able to understand this side of the emotion spectrum fully. Whenever I was dealing with anything, I’d usually work through these things with the help of music ‘cos I felt like self-reflection was what I needed over anything.

We always get bombarded with so many different opinions of how you should treat yourself and others, we usually tend to lose sight of what’s the healthiest thing for our mind, body and soul. This song quite literally came out of two different times I was admitted to the hospital for health complications I faced during lockdowns, where the last visit was close to being a fatal call. These things give you quite a bit of perspective on how you may want to spend your time on earth.

What was the core message of the song?

“Self-talk matters.” Yeah, I cannot emphasise enough how important it is to mind how we speak to ourselves. A lot of us are not mindful of what our internal dialogues are saying to us. If left unchecked, your mind is susceptible to all sorts of hijacking, and it’s quite literally like training a muscle. We must make it a priority to be our own best friend first, otherwise, the mind will absorb fear and doubt from the haters and naysayers around us, and use it as jet fuel for self-sabotage. It really doesn’t help when people around you are enforcing these, even if it’s just mindlessly repeating some things they’ve heard. It’s crucial for us to safeguard what we allow into our minds so that we don’t let others affect our thinking.

We must be able to judge what’s best for our own health and mental well-being. If our minds are getting too overwhelmed, they will manifest into physical illnesses. The mind and body work hand in hand – it’s all connected. You can’t have a healthy mind without a healthy body, and vice versa – it’s ignorant to think otherwise. Once you get your mind and body right, the soul naturally follows. It’s all a flow. We should do our best to eliminate all internal suffering and convert or channel that energy into the positives we can bring to the people around us. Positive self-talk is key.

How important is it for you to advocate for mental health awareness through sound?

I would say it’s what gives these projects their foundational pillars. I grew up in the Maldives, where the concept of mental health has just only started taking off at a rapid speed. I feel like it’s mainly due to the highly conservative side of the population that would shut anything up before it could even be discussed. I always saw a lot of people suffer due to this – where the prison system never treats the mental illnesses of the prisoners, and are run through what’s more identical to a brainwashing program on the weak – which in turn breeds a lot of mentally unstable victims of injustices to be released back into society without the proper care or systems in place to actually heal them. It’s extremely dehumanising, and inhumane in my view. The whole prison system is a wreck, and doesn’t even abide by ‘The Nelson Mandela Rules’. Demonised for basic human shortcomings, and anything that’s not in line with what they say, and all of a sudden you’re… It’s so f**kin’ sad, it’s ridiculous. Like quite literally using fear to bully an entire damn nation, and mental health is scrutinised as a weakness because the people in power are afraid that people may find their way to the knowledge that will help them arm themselves against these political manipulations and further efforts to prime social conditioning.

I honestly do not know where on Earth I’d be if it weren’t for music. Songs have spoken meaning to me, and some of the lyrics I’ve heard over the years have been a therapist to me more times than I can count. I’d always feel a whole lot of relief in my subconscious after spending a bit of time with some of my favourite songs.

What would you say to anyone who struggles to find self-compassion?

You’ve got to stay true to what you know is best for yourself, and then the people you love. Remember, you cannot love anyone else if you don’t love yourself first. The more we seek validation outside of ourselves, the further it gets away from us. The only form of validation we need in this world is our own. Once we can validate our self-worth to ourselves, there really isn’t a lot we need to do except guard our energy from those who may come to steal or drain it. You are going to be a reflection of the 5 people closest to you, so selecting your people wisely is crucial in my view. It’s better to spend time building yourself for a better future and life than trying to impress people you’re not even sure you like in the first place.

Most people hide behind masks, and it’s really not that difficult to move forward knowing that almost everyone’s got their own sh*t – so leading with love, respect, compassion and empathy not only makes it easier for yourself, but collectively allows us all to show each other a sense of love and care on a communal level. Always be kind to yourself first. The world is already full of so much suffering, and you shouldn’t be adding more pain and suffering to yourself with your self-talk. Stand up for what’s right, but don’t exhaust yourself in the process of fighting for something you have no control over.

Which artists did you draw influence from while orchestrating the single?

I feel like a bit of that old-school alt-rock/grunge may have influenced this track quite a bit actually. Okay, so here’s a blend of some influences that are in the ballpark – a bit of Daughtry, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Nirvana, Staind, Chris Cornel, Linkin Park, Creed, H.I.M., Lifehouse, Seether, Velvet Revolver. Also slower tracks by Metallica, John Mayer, Bob Dylan, a bit of Johnny Cash and probably a lot of the official soundtrack from the ‘August Rush’ movie – I love all the tracks in that motion picture. The blend’s just full of so many different flavours – I do have trouble pointing out exactly what it is. I feel like it’s just one big blob of everything I grew up listening to if I’m being honest. I’ve lost track!

How did you interplay influence with your own artistic identity?

I just end up blending the sounds to a stage where I get my selected palette of sounds to communicate with one another in the tone of whatever emotion/mood I’m trying to get out of the music. I feel like a lot of the work that I do feels like painting with colours, and looking at sounds through the visual lens really helps me conceptualise what I’m working with.

Other than that, I feel like there is just no way something can’t feel authentic and soulful if it’s a projection of real and authentic experiences. I definitely do my best work when I’m channelling exactly what I was feeling in the moment of the experiences that I write about. It needs to be authentic and real. You need to be able to visualise exactly how you are feeling.

An artist’s own feelings and emotions are their strongest tools for originality, and I live by that. The type of work that I do is really not something I can rush, and I do have to let ideas simmer and even let them marinate for a while before I can treat them more. It’s funny cause I treat my music like they’re my children – it goes through all the stages ’til it grows up and is ready to move out.

We love the tonal juxtaposition the gruff spoken word segment introduces, what inspired you to include this in the track?

I believe it came from wanting to emulate a half-baked numb mood with the music. I ended up wanting to retrograde the chords in that section and still wanted to maintain that washy sound as much as possible. When I ended up reversing some of the guitar layer, and flipped it – it gave the whole section this laid-back and cruisy motion where I got to just throw some light and sexy licks on top. The washy ‘verb tying the guitars together is what really makes this section almost sound a bit wet and slippery, and slightly purple. The message reflects a bit of a questionable dialogue with oneself before going down a very interesting rabbit hole (rabbit holes that open up the doorways of perception-type things).

Who did you work with on the production?

I played everything on this track and produced all of it, like most of the songs on this album (unless I want to have that unique flavour for BVs, unique instrument features, or if it’s a collaborative track). In addition to that though, I always pass my work on to my trusted mixing and mastering engineer, Alex Emrich, who’s based in Canada. I completely trust him to take my tracks to the finish line, and working with him has always been a pleasure.

What’s next for ARCTISKY?

I believe I’m getting ready to take these songs out for live performances soon. Currently, I’m exploring how flexible I can be with the music that’s already written. I’m open to being flexible and reimagining my sound to suit whichever venue I may perform at, and cater that sound to the energy of the venue.

There’s been so much I’ve had to rewire about live performances from the ground up, and I know for a fact I won’t take these songs out to live venues until I’ve tightened up all loose ends on the performance side of things. Obviously, it’s in tiers when it comes to the scale of productions. How you treat one thing is how you treat everything, so yes, I’m definitely not just gonna do it for the sake of doing it! I’m still on the lookout for the musicians who will occupy the spots in my lineup – who will help me fully bring these ideas to life. I’m extremely pumped to see what lies ahead on this journey, and I’m just keeping my eyes on the target, no matter how wavy it may get. So yeah, hopefully a lot of good comes out of all this output!

Stream My Relief on Spotify now.

Connect with ARCTISKY to stay up to date with his latest releases on Instagram.

For more info, head to the artist’s official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

ARCTISKY – My Relief: Romance & Raw Alt-Rock Ingenuity

With his latest single, My Relief, the soul conduit ARCTISKY orchestrated an alt-rock single that resonates with the romantic intensity of the 80s while pulsating with contemporary vitality and standing as a testament to his worthiness of the highest industry accolades.

From the Maldives to Melbourne, ARCTISKY channelled a voice so warm it could thaw the coldest souls into a sonic landscape which weaves swoon-worthy melodies that suspend in the air and pirouette through the world-class production.

My Relief is a flawless fusion, serenading listeners with vocals reminiscent of Bryan Adams, and orchestral crescendos that ensure your heartstrings are inseparably combined with each progression. To subvert the arcane accordance, a surprising shift comes with the middle eight; gruff, voicemail-esque tones akin to Tom Waits introduce a jarring yet brilliantly conceived contrast, showcasing ARCTISKY’s determination to boldly assert his sonic identity.

Safe to say, the track is one of 2024’s most emotionally impactful releases. If you want the burdens stripped for your soul, sink in.

My Relief debuted and salved the airwaves on September 6th; stream the single on SoundCloud and Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

ARCTISKY countered divisive propaganda with his latest slice of reggae folk pop gospel,  Let Freedom Ring

By using MLK’s famous speech which shares a vision for an egalitarian future in the intro to his latest single, Let Freedom Ring, the Melbourne-based singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, ARCTISKY, affirmed that almost 80 years have passed since the revolutionary called for peace and equality, yet, tragically, his dream is yet to manifest.

The sublimely uplifting folk-tinged reggae rhythms counter the divisive propaganda perpetuated by the media which is playing a pivotal role in increasing hostility as ARCTISKY’s arcanely honeyed harmonies become conduits of compassion within the gospel-esque atmosphere of the cultivated single which paralyses through the purity within the crescendos.

Let Freedom Ring is an opportunity to slip into the sanctity of a conflict-free society, a reminder that we can’t stand idly by and hope that a resistance rectifies the pervasive prejudices that are destroying societies and making enemies of the innocent. The call to action which sets a tone of historical reflection and aspiration couldn’t hit closer to the bone.

Let Freedom Ring will be available to stream on all major platforms from August 9th. Find your preferred way to listen on ARCTISKY’s official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Interview with ARCTISKY: Exploring Love, Sound Evolution, and Musical Heritage

This week, ARCTISKY sat down with A&R Factory to discuss his latest single, “Unreal Love,” a narrative about the complexity of chemical romance and the importance of self-awareness in relationships. In this interview, ARCTISKY delves into his creative process, the instrumental choices that evoke euphoria, and the evolution of his music since his debut. He also shares insights into his journey from the Maldives to Melbourne, the influences behind his genre-fluid sound, and his ultimate artistic goals.

ARCTISKY, welcome to A&R Factory! Thanks for sitting down with us to discuss your latest single, Unreal Love. What does the single, which narrates a tale of chemical romance, mean to you personally?

Thank you for having me! ‘Unreal Love’ happens to be a confusing tale about an intense romance being ignited while two people find love in a super-charged ‘situationship’. The message is like, “Make sure you both know there could be other factors driving the whole interaction.” It’s about being aware of yourself and taking time away from other influences before wasting anyone’s time.

How did you manage to capture the euphoria of love in the instrumentals and production? 

This track is one of those tracks that stayed in the cocoon stage until I was ready skill-wise to bring it up to speed. Ever since my last release, I really took the time to come up with a sound that truly captures all of my core musical influences. With this one, I believe the live upright piano sounds did the final bit of work in bringing this song to the finish line. Initially, I had a very thin-sounding piano sound, which was fine when I was just writing other instrumentation around it, but it still didn’t give that fuller feel I was looking for. So, later on, I decided to record an upright piano with a pair of AKG c414s, with the help of a couple of my peers. That was the final ingredient to this sound I’d say.

I had written the synth parts years ago, in the early stages of the song, so those spacey-arpeggiator sounds at the back were another factor in capturing that euphoric feeling. I tried to stay true to the sounds that evoked euphoria in me as well. It’s still got that core element of rock & roll, but then those influences from other areas weave through. So this song evolved through quite a few stages to achieve the sounds I was after. I’d say it also had a lot to do with being surrounded by the right people who helped nurture my craft.

How do you want your fans to feel when they hear the single and what do you want them to take away from the lyrics? 

Well, the song is kind of like an unspoken conversation between you and that person you found some sort of crazy love with in the heat of a moment. It doesn’t have to be anyone specific either. It’s just one of those tracks that will help people come to terms with the fact that it’s better to let go by connecting to a song, rather than trying to reach out to an old flame. Never a good idea!

It’s been a while since you made your debut with Losing My Control in 2022; how has the break influenced your music? 

I think I realised I had a bit of work to do to bring my writing to something I was happy with. So, for me, it was more about going back to the sounds that felt most natural to me. That’s actually the main reason why I named this album ‘Roots Vol. 1’ – due to it paying homage to my musical heritage, being the classic rock & roll I grew up with. Unreal Love is the first track from this album and showcases this new sound I’ve been working with the best.

All the songs that will be on this album are what I call “journal songs” – they’re songs that hold more to the lyrical content, and have something listeners can take away and project onto their own experiences. It’s nothing more than a bit of art you may or may not be able to relate to. This stuff is written for the introverted side of people. I know I’ve heard those songs, where I listened to it and the music just helped me come to terms with things I had no idea was bugging me in the first place. Music does such a good job of healing people. I wanted to write some music that could help my audience shed light on some of the things they may be dealing with.

This new sound, with the foundation of rock & roll and the blend of fresh sub-genres, is what I got out of my creative break. This project just feels very fun for me! I’m not taking myself too seriously I’d say. I put a lot of trust into giving this another go, knowing I’m writing and releasing music that I loved writing and enjoy listening to.

You gained a fair amount of notoriety in the Maldives, has establishing yourself in Melbourne been a daunting experience?

I’ve been very lucky to learn and work with some extremely cool people since moving to Melbourne in 2019. I got here and realised I had neglected a lot of important theory, growing up as a drummer, so I had a lot to catch up on. I wanted to make sure I understood music to a certain level before trying to enter the live scene here. I’ve certainly had a bit of work to do to polish my craft before starting live gigs. Melbourne’s already got such a vibrant live music scene, so I want to make sure that what I’m bringing to the table here is going to be something a bit different and adds value. I needed to know that if I were to do live gigs, there were no loose ends in the songs. I want my live performances to bring a high level of energy to the venues here, and I needed time to develop my live-act. Live gigs are something I’ve really had to physically and mentally prepare myself for.

How did your genre-fluid sonic signature come about? 

I grew up with brothers who loved rock music, so it was playing around the house most of the time as a kid. I always heard a lot of Bob Dylan, Santana, Bon Jovi, Bob Marley and all that. Then I discovered Pink Floyd around the age of 18. They have the kind of music that helps you open doors in the back of your mind. Around the time I started this project, I was listening to a lot of Bob Dylan and the ‘Exodus’ record by Bob Marley & the Wailers. They inspired me to get my own messages of love, peace and freedom out with my music – to the individual and to societies. Especially ever since the wars have become a lot more frequent on the news, I wanted to get my message out with these songs. It turned out that when I was writing these “journal songs”, I always wrote music that I felt reflected love, peace and togetherness – “Lead with love and respect,” being the core message. It’s come with trying to strike that chord which resonates with our innate instinct to come together, and to work together and learn from each other.

What is your ultimate goal as an artist? 

My ultimate goal as an artist is to bring my work and artistry to a stage where I can start collaborating with more artists, and to just keep writing and recording music I’m proud of. I want to have songs that my audience can listen to and connect deeply to. I feel like a lot of what I’m hoping to get out of this ‘Roots Vol. 1’ record is to find a true audience that I can take on a new musical journey away from my current sonic blend. Music is such a subjective experience just like any art form. I feel like creating the best art you can do with your abilities and putting it out there is necessary if you have a message that’s greater than what you want to achieve sound-wise. I feel like I’ve been fiddling around with this sound for a while now, but I’m happy knowing this blend was authentic to who I was throughout the writing and recording process. My goal is to story-tell and share some of my crazy experiences with my listeners so that they too can feel and experience those moments. I feel like all my music will have that unique element of ‘me’ in it.

My message is to stay true to yourself no matter what kind of inner demons you may be battling. If you’re still in the thick of that period of your life, I hope some of these tracks I’m putting out can lend a hand.

Listen to Unreal Love now on SoundCloud; find more ways to connect with ARCTISKY via his official website.

Interview by Amelia Vandergast

ARCTISKY became the Chris Isaak of his Generation with ‘Unreal Love’

ARCTISKY

ARCTISKY’s latest single, Unreal Love, is the smoothest slice of rock-fervoured seduction your rhythmic pulses have ever wrapped around.

Impassioned in the same vein as The National’s Trouble Will Find Me LP, the single, prised from the Maldives-born, Melbourne-based troubadour of slick soul’s debut album, Roots Vol. 1, is a tapestry of lush tonality, stitched with edges of indie pop, the passion of RnB, funk grooves, and rock roots which puts the singer-songwriter in the same league as Chris Isaak.

Your heartbeat will become the second most important rhythm coursing through you as soon as you immerse yourself in the authenticated hit which exhibits ARCTISKY as one of the most sincere revolutionists on the airwaves. With vocal harmonies that pour as deliciously as the mellifluous melodies that unravel as a confluence of ornate piano keys, reverb-swathed synths and soaring guitar lines over the propulsive rhythm, Unreal Love is as close to heaven as you will get on the airwaves.

Unreal Love will be available to stream on all major platforms with Roots Vol 1, including Spotify, from June 14.

Review by Amelia Vandergast