The Arcadian Kicks
Encyclopedia
The Arcadian Kicks are an indie rock band from Kinver
in South Staffordshire (near Birmingham
), who formed in 2006. They have described their sound as "Spectoresque, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin... a bit of light shoegaze and Yeah Yeah Yeahs mixed up". They finished recording their debut album, Making Lovers, in 2010.
that they took part in, and after watching another of their gigs he offered to manage them.
In 2009/10, they recorded their self-financed debut album at Vale Studios in Worcestershire in a two week session; it was produced and mixed by Mike Chapman who produced records for Blondie
, and who came across their music on MySpace. They plan to record with Chapman again in January 2011. They released their single "19 Days" in August 2010. They write their songs collectively.
) in Birmingham, and in November 2009 they played live on BBC WM
Introducing. In 2010 they performed at T in the Park
on the BBC Introducing
stage, the Wychwood Festival
, Napa Live in Ayia Napa, and made their third appearance at the Isle of Wight Festival
. They played KerrangFest again in September 2010.
Kinver
Kinver is a large village in South Staffordshire district, Staffordshire, England. It is in the far south-west of the county, at the end of the narrow finger of land surrounded by the counties of Shropshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands. The nearest towns are Stourbridge in the West...
in South Staffordshire (near Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
), who formed in 2006. They have described their sound as "Spectoresque, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin... a bit of light shoegaze and Yeah Yeah Yeahs mixed up". They finished recording their debut album, Making Lovers, in 2010.
History
The band formed in early 2006 when the bandmates were studying for GCSEs at Edgecliff High School in Kinver. They are co-managed by Ian Light and Jon Brookes, the drummer of The Charlatans. Brookes was a judge at the Surface Unsigned battle of the bandsBattle of the Bands
Battle of Bands is a contest in which two or more bands compete for the title of "best band". The winner is determined by a panel of judges, the general response of the audience, or a combination. The winning band usually receives a prize in addition to bragging rights. Traditionally, battles of...
that they took part in, and after watching another of their gigs he offered to manage them.
In 2009/10, they recorded their self-financed debut album at Vale Studios in Worcestershire in a two week session; it was produced and mixed by Mike Chapman who produced records for Blondie
Blondie (band)
Blondie is an American rock band, founded by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American New Wave and punk scenes of the mid-1970s...
, and who came across their music on MySpace. They plan to record with Chapman again in January 2011. They released their single "19 Days" in August 2010. They write their songs collectively.
Performances
They run and regularly play at the Syndicate Club Night at The Sound Bar in Birmingham (originally at Bash Bar and then the Sunflower Lounge). In September 2008 they played at KerrangFest (part of ArtsFestArtsFest
ArtsFest is an annual arts festival held in September in Birmingham, England.Since 1997 ArtsFest has brought together free short demonstrations of dance, music, film and theatre to concert halls, theatres, and open-air stages in various parts of central Birmingham...
) in Birmingham, and in November 2009 they played live on BBC WM
BBC WM
BBC WM is the BBC Local Radio service for the West Midlands, South Staffordshire, north Worcestershire and north Warwickshire, operated by BBC Birmingham. Launched on 9 November 1970 as BBC Radio Birmingham, it broadcasts from central Birmingham on 95.6 FM, DAB and on the internet...
Introducing. In 2010 they performed at T in the Park
T in the Park
T in the Park is a major British music festival that has been held annually since 1994. It is named after its main sponsor, the brewing company Tennents. It was originally held at Strathclyde Park, Lanarkshire but since 1997 has been held at a disused airfield in Balado, Kinross-shire...
on the BBC Introducing
BBC Introducing
BBC Introducing is the brand for new music programmes across the BBC radio stations, showcasing unsigned, self signed and other emerging musical talent primarily from the UK. Launched in 2007 the Introducing brand brings programming from across the BBC under a unified brand with each show retaining...
stage, the Wychwood Festival
Wychwood Festival
The Wychwood Festival is an annual music festival held at Cheltenham racecourse in Gloucestershire, UK, the weekend after the late May Bank Holiday...
, Napa Live in Ayia Napa, and made their third appearance at the Isle of Wight Festival
Isle of Wight Festival
The Isle of Wight Festival is a music festival which takes place every year on the Isle of Wight in England. It was originally held from 1968 to 1970. These original events were promoted and organised by the Foulk brothers under the banner of their company Fiery Creations Limited...
. They played KerrangFest again in September 2010.
Reception
Artrocker called them "a fairly tradional angst-pop band, boosted by some unexpected sax solos, ... soulful hollering, [and] some interestingly growly guitars." Reviewing them live in 2008, they said that they "play rattle and roll with a Zeppelin style commitment to excellent musicianship. Many of their tunes start out sounding traditional, morph into a psychedelic middle sections, then come out growling like werewolves at the other end." Glasswerk said of "19 Days" that "the track appears to remain on one level, seemingly lacking any conviction from the musicians who are behind it... other tracks ... far outshine '19 Days'." "19 Days" has been played on BBC Radio 2 by Radcliffe & Maconie and Bob Harris. Popped Music said of "Black and White" that "you have a sound that is altogether quite different from your average indie band."External links
- The Arcadian Kicks on Reverbnation