All For You: Arthur Walwin

Photo by Rebecca Need-Menear.

Hailing from South East England Arthur Walwin is one of those artists that I just can't stop raving about. His spectacular EP "For One More Night"  is played on repeat in my house and is our set car journey music. It's not just his EP either that captured my attention. He plays guitar in a band called Paige, is a sound engineer and experiments with other people's music. If you haven't already get yourself a copy of his EP - you will not regret it. 

As an icebreaker, state one weird fact about yourself.

Not really a weird fact, but I'm allergic to/severely dislike Peanut Butter or any kind of nut product. Just the thought alone disgusts me!

Describe your EP in one word.

Emotional

What is your favourite song off of the EP?

I don't know why, but I have a soft spot for So Much For An Early Night. I'm actually bringing it out soon as a lyric video and I don't even know if it's a popular one or the right choice to go with, but I just love it.

What is your favourite song to play live?

I actually have my first ever gig with a live band on the 12th! So I don't know yet haha. But All For You always sounds great at rehearsal.

How did the song (Wisteria Lane Poker Club) with AJ Perdomo come about?

Well I've always been a fan, so I just tweeted at him, we spoke over email and we hooked it up! His wife actually lives in London, so he was actually going to come over at one point, but I didn't even have the song ready or anything so we waited til he was back in the states.

What is your writing process like? Does the music come first or the lyrics?

The chorus/hook comes first. The music usually writes itself once I've got a good hook to go with. I'll just have a sudden burst of inspiration at one point and kind of base the song around this one part I've written. This however results in me having about a million songs with just the chorus written and then I'll fill in the verse lyrics like a day before I record them.

What made you decide to pursue a solo project?

I think ever since I had a computer to myself, I've been making music on my own and recording it. I guess it was after I wrote and recorded All For You that I really decided to take it seriously and put something out. I finally had something that I REALLY wanted to share with the world.

When did you first get into singing?

I was probably about 14/15. I'd been playing guitar for a couple of years before that anyway.

What inspires you?

Sounds cliché, but life. More specifically people. Obviously my last CD's just all about break ups and love but I just love looking at the relationships we develop and the complexities of them all. Humans are so interesting and the choices we make are even more interesting.

What are your hopes for the future?

For One More Night done exactly what I wanted it to do. Before that, no one really knew who I was and know that the songs are out and there are videos and reviews and all that circulating around, my name's starting to get recognised and that's so awesome! I'm so grateful. So I guess the next step is taking that to the next level with the new EP I'm writing. In the future I'm looking at getting onto some bigger things, maybe get the next video on television, get some more songs on bigger radio stations - who knows?

What is your dream tour?

Ha! I actually got my mate Ben from Hectic Designs to do me a couple of tour laminates for this! Right, so it's Coldplay headlining, The Fray and myself as rotating main supports and then Mayday Parade opening. Yes, I've given this a lot of thought.

Who/What/When was your first gig experience?

I put gigs and concerts in different categories, so I always argue with people over this one. First concert was Michael Jackson in Wembley back in '96. First gig was this band from Essex called MCH2R in this tiny venue called Moonies. Must have been 2005 or something. Best time of my life, honestly.

If you had the chance to live again, what is the one thing you have done that you would change?

People still don't believe me about this, but ages ago I was actually going to join Asking Alexandria. Can't remember who I was talking to or if they're even still in the band, but we had it all sorted out and I was gonna go up north and stay with them and work on some songs. This was before they found Danny obviously. But yeah, I was like 16 at the time and just started college so I backed out. Would've been interesting to see where that went.

Lastly, are you aware of how many hearts you broke with your cover of Goodnight Moon?

Ahah! Such a lovely thing to say. You know, I could never match up to Jason Lancaster. His work is phenomenal. But I'd like to think I done the song justice and I'm just happy that people like it and aren't offended by the mash up!

Intergalactic Goodness: Anavae

There probably aren't too many bands out there that can say in their first year they toured with musical legends like Hawthorne Heights as well as being lined up to support a band they consider one of their favourites, There For Tomorrow, but once Anavae got going there really was no stopping them. 

With the music industry being taken over by the generic sounds taken straight from the 'how to make millions without putting any thought into it' handbook, it's refreshing to know people like Becca, James, Jamie, Josh and Seb exist. They create music that forces you to feel something and rocks your ears into another dimension, whilst at the same time holding down jobs and completing the masses of work university drains from you. I had a root around in their minds...

Describe Anavae in one word:
Becca: Organic
Jamie: Intergalactic
James: Anti-lacklustre

With the final video from "Into The Aether" released, what's next on the agenda for Anavae? 
We're working on our next release.

You've supported Kids In Glass Houses, do you think that supporting bigger bands is a good way to showcase your music to a potentially new audience? 
Definitely. Especially if they're on a similar scene to you, as it gives you a chance to play to a whole load of people who may have never heard about you before.

Do you think that bands have it easier nowadays, with social networking site such as YouTube and Twitter, to get music out there? 
We wouldn't say 'easier'. Every band has access to social networking and online promotion, so it's still a level playing field. But it definitely has it's benefits. Again, for giving us the ability to reach a whole audience who otherwise would have never heard of us.

How was the Weekender Tour, back in September?

It was a brand new experience for all of us, an awesome one at that! We've never played 3 shows in a row before, so I was convinced I was going to be in a haggered heap by the end of it. More please! The Violet guys are literally some of the nicest dudes I've ever met. If you ever get the chance to see them live, then GO! DO IT! 

What is your favourite song to play live? 

Becca: Sunlight definitely! Or the drop in Invaesion. It just takes over my body. 

If you could play with any other band, still together or not, who would it be?

Becca: Such a toughie. I was about to say There For Tomorrow but we're supporting them on the 26th which is a little bit crazy. They're one of our favourite bands! Next stop, Evaline, Mutemath, or 30 Seconds to Mars. (I wish!) 

What is your favourite part of being in a band?

Becca: Getting to travel to places I otherwise wouldn't have, getting to meet and befriend lovely and talented people, receiving absolutely amazing feedback from people all over the world, and most importantly, getting to express myself through sounds and messes of words. This is the best kind of therapy.  

What is your favourite song you've written?

You haven't heard it yet ;)

What inspires you all individually?

Becca: People. People everywhere, and their strange conversations and interactions. Most, if not all of my songs are about moments and fragments involving other people who i've stumbled across. Haruki Murakami is a huge inspiration, as is Clive Barker, and reading in general. Movies, adverts, drones, soundtracks, photographs, the weather. Everything beautiful and ugly. 

Jamie: Science, space, the future.

James: QI XI on Dave

For the final and most important question - If you were trapped on a desert island who would you eat first and why?

Becca: What a mean question. I think Seb probably eats the healthiest out of all the guys. Most nourishing I'd say! (James would taste like multi-flavoured crisps, Josh would probably taste like fast food, and Jamie would taste like...weetabix).