The thrill and excitement of listening to an incredible song by a fresh new artist is rare. I remember the first time I listened to Don't Delete The Kisses by Wolf Alice, or Sinner by The Last Dinner Party. An immediate electric shock wave runs into your system with the joy of a new favorite band uncovered.
As I clicked play for the first time on India Arkin's new single "Senseless", I was sold within the first 5 seconds. The song starts with a punch and gently grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go until the very end. The music, the lyrics, the incredible guitar rifts keep you in a state of Indie rock bliss. Once the song was over, I ran for my noise cancelling headphones, and I listened to the song on repeat for the entire day.
In that moment I became an Arkin fan. And all I can think about now is how I wish to hear India's music live one day.
For now, I'll rejoice on the wonderful career trajectory and artistic journey that she shared with us.
What led you to become a music artist?
I fell into music very randomly. Having moved up to Newcastle to study fine art in 2020, I ended up joining a different project with some people I met a university and loved it beyond belief. However, along with everyone else in the world, I soon found myself in a lock down; but couldn't shake the urge to want to make music so I ended up releasing my debut single 'Dashboard Dancing' through August 2021. The response to this single was crazy, and so that's truly where my world began...
How has your experience growing up in the North East and studying fine arts shaped your music today?
The North East has completely shaped me as an artist, the local music scene welcomed me with open arms when I had just begun my career. I began played a lot of open mic nights for originals music, which lead me getting a residency at a venue in Newcastle, which helped me meet even more creatives and truly begin to make a name for myself in the local scene. Everyone was always so supportive in the scene and there was always a real push to lift each other up.
As a songwriter, can you walk us through your creative process?
Are there any rituals you do before a writing session to help you get into the groove of creating? Most of the time it just requires feeling like I'm overpouring with emotion in that moment, so much so that that energy almost has to be channelled into somewhere. I will go and sit in my bedroom, sometimes for hours, meticulously playing over and over until I feel the song is complete. I've found that usually my best songs always seem to arrive within one sitting, as that's when you find yourself completely entranced with it.
What comes first, the music or the lyrics?
The music for sure.
I normally will sit and play random chords or put my fingers in weird shapes until I come out with something that sounds like the physicalization of whatever I'm feeling in that moment, after that I'll normally ad lib melodies to the song until I feel like what I'm saying feels right.