Posted by Danni Le Toullec on February 1, 2011
While most artists are looking for ways to make their music more futuristic, Deep Sea Arcade's sound is rooted in the beats of a past time. Often compared to the likes of The Beatles and The Smiths, their sound is soaked in a delicious pop reverb that transports us to a sandy beachside boulevard and props a surfboard under our arms. Friends since primary school, the two founding members Nic McKenzie (vocals) and Nick Weaver (bass) have spent years perfecting their art. I caught Nic McKenzie after a dinner of dumplings and wine in Sydney’s Kings Cross.
Covered: sixties chord progression, cinematic journeys, Nancy Sinatra and heartache-inspired music
Danielle Le Toullec: The name Deep Sea Arcade (DSA) evokes a kind of aquatic fantasy world, what’s the story behind it?
Nic McKenzie: It’s a lyric from a song we don’t play anymore; it’s actually in reference to an album called The White Arcades by Brian Eno and Harold Budd.
DL: You are often put into the genre of 1960s Brit/surf rock music culture; was that a conscious decision when you were developing your sound or did you just fall into it?
NM: I think we’ve just fallen into it; it's also just the music that has been chosen by radio stations to play. We have a lot of different songs, that all come from the same place, some do use a more sixties sounding chord progression and sound production.More...
deep sea arcade, nic mckenzie, nick weaver, surf city
Posted by Danni Le Toullec on January 13, 2011
Before they kick off their co-headline East Coast Australian tour with Surf City this February 2011, Deep Sea Arcade have a little treat for you.
Not one, but two free downloads.
‘Lonely In Your Arms’ and ‘Keep On Walking’ capture the psychedelic surf vibe of the seventies, sounding like a modern mash up of The Beatles and The Beach Boys.
Surf City have been riding the online buzz wave of late. With rave reviews from the likes of Pitchfork and NME, the New Zealanders are creating their own interpretation of surf music that does not shy away from experimentation. And for you, dear readers, we have their track 'Crazy Rulers of The World' off their debut album, Kudos, available for your streaming pleasure.
Special guests at their various shows will include Step Panther, Loon Lake, Feeding Edgar and The Ivys.
deep sea arcade, surf city, lonely in your arms, keep on walking, crazy rulers of the world, oxford arts factory, beach road hotel