When I first heard Che Arthur’s new track No Harbor, I fell in love. It’s got a fantastic energy to it, drawing you into his world on the very first listen. It’s a rock song with elements of indie and punk, appealing to fans of multiple genres. If you missed the track, you can also find a stream at the bottom of this interview with Che!
By Jane Howkins
How has the reception to No Harbor been so far, and where can it be purchased?
The reception has been quite good so far! I’ve been pleasantly surprised about that because I recorded the album very quickly, then released No Harbor as the first single almost immediately after the album was mastered. So I didn’t give myself much time to sit and think (or potentially overthink) – it was only about 6 weeks from the start of recording the album to the release of the song and playing it live for the first time. It’s available on all of the free streaming outlets, of course, and also Bandcamp: chearthur.bandca…mp.com
Do you have any more singles planned for the near future?
I do! The second song from the new album to be released is called The Sliver, and that’s coming out quite soon.
Your fourth album, For That Which Now Lies Fallow, will be released soon. What can you tell us about the record and when is it due out?
I’m not sure where to start! When I returned to solo acoustic live performance last year after many years away from it, it helped my mental state drastically. I’d been dealing with health issues (both physical and mental), and not dealing with the mental health ones very well. I was asked to play some solo shows, and when i did them and walked off the stage feeling lighter I thought “I should probably get back to doing this more often”.
But it felt a bit strange to return to playing solo without any new songs, so that started me thinking about writing. Then I thought about how the past 3 winters had been very dark and difficult for me mentally, and I decided to try spending the winter writing and recording an album. That way i had a channel for those dark thoughts and feelings, to let them out rather than keep them in. So that’s largely why i made the album.
You also perform as part of Pink Avalanche. How do the two projects differ? Does Pink Avalanche have anything new coming out soon?
I think they’re pretty similar in some ways, especially in the way that both people on this album (me and Adam Reach, who plays drums) are also in Pink Avalanche! I think the songs are similar to Pink Avalanche songs in general, though most of these have simpler arrangements than some Pink Avalanche songs. But one main difference is that 8 of the 10 were written specifically so i could play them live at solo acoustic shows, whereas Pink Avalanche songs are mostly intended to be played by a 3- or 4-piece band.
Your music has an indie rock sound. What/who are you most influenced by? What have you been listening to recently?
Other than a few probably obvious ones, I’m not sure that the music i make sounds like many of the artists/albums I think I’m most influenced by. I think of lots of early and mid 90’s indie/noise rock like The Jesus Lizard, Shellac, Guzzard, Chavez but also Prince, the first Violent Femmes record, lots of metal, lots of 70s prog rock, Blonde Redhead, PJ Harvey, Elvis Costello. Big (probably) obvious ones would be stuff like Husker Du/Sugar/Bob Mould, Jawbox, Jawbreaker.
Recent stuff I’ve been listening to a lot: the new Chelsea Wolfe, the new Drahla, the recent Slowdive record, and the new Nils Frahm record.
You’re from Chicago. What is the local music scene like at the moment?
One thing i like about being a sound engineer for a living is that I’m always exposed to new music, especially local Chicago bands. The music scene here is always great, but just lately i feel like it’s really crazy. So many great bands, such cross-pollination style-wise. So many people playing in 2 or 3 or 4 bands that all sound completely different. It’s an inspirational place to be, in that sense.
Do you have anything else exciting coming up over the next few months?
I just played some solo acoustic shows around the US and have a few more coming up in late April/early May, right after the album comes out.
I’m planning on making a new Ha Subliminal EP soon, and I’m excited to get into that too.
Do you have any tour dates lined up for the UK?
Not yet, but I am working on that! I’d like to come over this year.
Any last words for the fans?
I’d just like to thank anyone who’s listened to any of my stuff really, especially the new song but also Ha Subliminal, Pink Avalanche, Professor Downfall, and so on!