Hello, thank you for your time, please introduce yourself in a few words!
Hey I’m Arkley, a Scottish DJ and producer making 90s rave and big beat influenced dance tunes.
2. Please give us an update about – new single, new album, tour dates, new videos?!
My new single ‘Rave ’92’ has just come out on Tileyard Music (home to Joel Corry and Sigala). It’s got big acid house and early 90s rave vibes – as you can probably guess from the title! There’s an awesome video for the single coming soon, made by the visual artist Mush Pongo. It puts a modern twist on those classic 90s rave VHS visuals and I absolutely love it!
3. Name 5 things we all should know about you as an artist?!
My music will make you dance & take you on a trip!
I’m Scottish but my accent is pretty mild from years of living south of the border
my production style is like sample collage – similar to The Avalanches or The KLF
I love graphic design (especially late 80s / early 90s stuff like Peter Saville)
I think about things too much – demonstrated by how long it’s taken me to answer this question!
4. What fashion style or brand would best describe your music?
I love the clothes made by Dream But Do Not Sleep and Friend Or Faux – I guess retro with a very modern twist, stylish and colourful, occasionally a bit lurid!
5. Tell us more about your songs! Topics! Message!?
I try to make music that is uplifting but not cheesy – it’s a bit of a knife edge! I’ve always been really inspired by 2manydjs and their ‘As Heard On Radio Soulwax’ mix series – the way they mash up tracks and genres so you get Destiny’s Child mixed with 10cc or whatever. I definitely take an “anything goes” approach and wouldn’t write-off a reggae metal house track in the future… well maybe I wouldn’t go that far!
6. Beside music, do you have any special talents?
Haha I don’t know if that’s for me to say! I do all the graphic design work for the Arkley project so I guess maybe that counts??
7. Being on stage feels like….!
An awesome rush and release!
8. How did you learn to sing/ to write/ to play??
Bashing out Beatles and Oasis tunes on an acoustic guitar – it’s a very far cry from what I do now!
9. A question you’d like to answer, but never been asked in an interview before?! + Answer pls
Mmm… what’s your favourite breakfast cereal?! Well, after many years of experimentation, I’ve settled on a two-thirds Fuel to one-third sugar-free Alpen. Yes, I really am that nerdy – I should just let my music do the talking!
Your Instagram:
@arkleymusic