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On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment magazine in the UK“, Tony Rumble of the band Arktik Lake shares the inspiration behind their new single, Bright Sunny Days, and their creative process.
Written by JJ Barnes
I interviewed Tony Rumble about his band Arktik Lake, the creative work that goes into their music, and the inspiration behind their new single, Bright Sunny Days.
Tell me a bit about who you are.
My name is Tony Rumble, and my band is Arktik Lake. Arktik Lake was formed in 2020 and comprises Marty Willson-Piper (ex The Church, All About Eve, The Saints), myself, Nigel Macara (Tamam Shud, ex Air Supply) on drums, DC on bass, and Olivia Willson-Piper on strings and BV. Marty sings and handles lead guitar duties, and co writes some of the tracks with me. I write the lyrics and most of the music, and play lead and rhythm electric and acoustic 6 and 12 string guitars.
We are heavily influenced by shoegaze and dreampop/psychedelic pop, with a love of jangle pop (Rickenbacker guitars esp). Marty is recognized as one of the pre-emiment Rickenbacker 12 string players globally, featuring in Tony Bacon’s Rickenbacker 12 string book (page 96-97, 99) and at Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rickenbacker_360/12
When did you first WANT to write songs?
I have always wanted to write songs, with some early versions of one of the tracks on our 1st EP (Shimmer) being written in the early 2000’s
When did you take a step to start writing songs?
I hooked up with Marty in 2019 and the rest is history. We mainly collaborate online, as Marty lives in Portugal and I am based in Sydney. That works amazingly well (file sharing is a great thing) and we catch up in person to record.
What was your first song released, and what was it about?
The 1st single we released was “Promises” off our 1st EP, “Shimmer” which was released on vinyl and to all major streaming platforms in 2021. It was about the trauma of the break up of my marriage to my long term wife, and the lies and deceit that accompanied that break up.
What was your latest song released, and what was it about?
We released “Bright Sunny Days” as the 1st single off our forthcoming album “Ghosthound” on 1 September 2023. It is a modern-day love song with a twist, featuring lush guitars and violins which morph into flamboyant Spanish guitar and then a soaring rush of electric guitars. Written in the middle of summer on the white sands of Jervis Bay, Australia (the whitest sandy beach in the world, at least that is what the locals claim) – Bright Sunny Days will transport you to a time of magic, love and mystery.
Focusing on your latest song. What were your biggest challenges with Bright Sunny Days?
It all fell into place quite easily actually – we knew we had something interesting right from the demo stage. As we came to record the track, Marty was inspired by some of the classic “Prog Rock” classics of the ‘70s, (and even Gerry Rafferty’s classic 1978 hit “Baker Street”) to include Spanish guitar morphing into soaring lead guitars.
The final piece of the puzzle was picking up a 1961 Gretsch “Chet Atkins” in the studio – its bright but kinda thin tone gave some beautiful plaintive character to what in some ways is a whistful song – despite the underlying happiness of a love song.
How many songs are you working on right now?
Never stop writing and recording demo’s! We have 6 new tracks at finished demo stage, with more en route as the basis for our 2nd album (but lets get the 1st album Ghosthound on the road first)!
Do you keep to a theme with your music, or just go where the mood strikes?
We often laugh that even if we try to create a specific sound or emulate a favourite artist – the new track always comes out sounding like something else. Obviously we are heavily influenced by our favourite artists, but we find the best way to write is to allow the song to suggest where it wants to go, and the follow our muse as that journey happens. That being said, my bandmates often say that my writing style is kinda breezy and summery – no doubt because I live maybe ½ a mile from one of the most amazing beaches in the world.
What is your favourite song you’ve recorded, and what do you love about it?
That’s a hard one but I think my fave track recorded to date is “Honey Dripping” from our forthcoming album “Ghosthound” – it harks back to the holiday at Jervis Bay where “Bright Sunny Days” was written. After we had spent almost a full day on the sand, we walked through an ancient forest of huge native Eucalypt trees – looking up to their crowns as we walked through the forest was an out of body experience, which found its way into the almost trippy feel of “Honey Dripping.” What we try to do is to allow the song to build as it travels out to its conclusion – letting the build take the listener on a journey (like all good shoegaze and psychedelic pop should do). And oh,yeh – did I mention that it ROCKS?!
Do you find other people’s music inspires you? Who do you listen to most?
Most definitely, I don’t ever stop listening to music, old and new. For the album “Ghosthound” I was listening at the time of initial writing, to “Goatshead Soup” by the Rolling Stones. Some amazingly crafted and played on songs there, for sure! Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Buffalo Springfield, The Church are all inspirations, and right now I seem to be on a glam rock trip with lots of early Bowie and Mick Ronson…inspired by watching Brett Morgen’s “Moonage Daydream” movie. On my turntable at the moment are some of the newer records from RIDE, as well as a young up and coming Aussie band, the Moving Stills.
Do you write your own music, or do you have musicians you work with?
I write all my music, with collaboration with Marty Willson-Piper on some tracks.
Do you play any instruments?
I play the guitar and some keys. I am a luthier as well and most of the guitars I play and record with were built by me.
Do you like performing live, or does it scare you? Where can people watch you?
There is nothing better than playing live and seeing the audience go crazy to the music! We aim to play some shows in Australia in 2024 to launch the new album “Ghosthound.” Hoping to film that concert so our international fans can check out the live show.
Is your music available online, and where can people listen to it?
Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, etc
Are you able to make music full time, or do you have day job?
Yeh, still “working for the man” but pretty much music is my main gig in life right now.
Are your friends and family supportive of your music career?
Absolutely!
What’s something you never expected about being a songwriter? What have you learned that surprised you?
The biggest initial surprise is that I can do it! Key changes and melodies seem to come quite easily to me. The real surprise though is seeing how by immersing in the process, the creative muse can spread its wings and take the song somewhere radically different to where it may have started.
Have you had any experiences that really stand out because of your songs?
Playing and recording with Marty and Nigel has been an amazing experience…Nigel has played at the best places around, like Madison Square Garden…Marty was signed by Clive Davis, has recorded nearly 90 albums and has worked with people like David Gilmour and Tom Verlaine. What an experience!
Do you have any important events coming up we should know about?
Getting ready to release 2 more singles early next year and then around Easter, followed by the album launch shortly after that.
What is the first piece of advice you would give to anyone inspired to write songs?
Learn how to use Garage Band or another one of the recording softwares out there.
And, finally, are your proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?
Listening to one of my songs being played on the radio is an amazing experience – the amount of effort involved is WAY more than people would think – and yes, it is definitely worth it!
Pop all your music, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:
https://www.instagram.com/arktiklake/
https://www.facebook.com/arktiklake
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ajNC8HgouqCuEzlnb8Y9L
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