Arcas and the Bear, an Alternative Electronica project, that explores science and storytelling in a way that’s entining, inspiring, and blissful. They share the darkness felt in our lives. Read more of our interview to discover their musical journey:
Thank you for speaking with us! Please introduce yourselves to our readers!
Hey! I’m Dan from Arcas and the Bear, thanks for having me.
We’d love to hear the origin story of your artist name Arcas and the Bear!
I really wanted a name connected to stars or mythology and found one that connected to both. Arcas comes from Greek mythology, he and his mother calisto were turned into the constellations ursa major and minor. Ursa means bear. In the story calisto was turned into a bear.
What inspired you both to pursue music?
Ever since I was a small boy pretending to be Chesney hawkes with a tennis racquet music, has captivated me. I’ve taken long breaks from music making to pursue other forms of creativity but always come back to it.
You mention that your music explores science and storytelling. What does this mean to you?
Storytelling is key to who we are and great stories turn up time and again across our history. Science, well explained, is the story of who we are and how we came to be. Sometimes they collide beautifully.
How would you describe your sound to someone who just listened to your music for the first time?
Ummm….Electronic music. Mainly ambient stuff you can chill out or work to.
What’s your songwriting process like?
For Arcas and the Bear it’s a bit random. I open Ableton Live and start playing with sounds or chord progressions until something sticks. It’s not some much a process as playing.
In what ways have you been able to stay inspired creatively during this time of quarantine?
Reading mainly. it’s the quickest way to fill a head.
“Of Asgard and the Planets Beyond” is your latest EP release. How do you hope listeners feel when they listen to these songs?
I just hope they enjoy it. How it makes them feel is up to them. With my band Starlings and Sparrows I’m deeply invested in the songs emotionally, whereas for Arcas and the Bear, it’s more exploration if sound, so I’m ok with whatever people take from it.
Which song of yours is the most influential/memorable to you and why?
There are 2. “Twenty” from the first EP (counting down to ignorance) because it everytime I hear it I’m surprised I made it and “Quarterly” (a quarter or chemistry) because those violins hit me in the feels.
What’s the first thing you do when you start writing a new song?
Make a cup of tea and fire up ableton.
Which artists do you mostly identify with?
Boards of Canada, Jon Hopkins, Radiohead and Bon Iver. I’m nowhere near their calibre but these guys have a huge influence on me.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be?
Justin Vernon from Bon Iver. Whether for my electronic or folk music.
Do you have any new releases planned for this year?
It’s been a busy year so far. 2 singles and 4 EPs. But I’m not done yet. I’ve just finished a really ambient tune called This(Bad Beef) that will be out some time in July. After that I’m not sure, but there will be more.
What can fans expect from you this year?
For me to be prolific. I’m learning a lot about electronic music and I’m focusing on finishing and releasing tracks as I go. This means some of what I have released so far is a bit 2D and I know that, I’m learning pretty publicly. I’ve also recently recorded some vocals for Rise Bailey Rise for a single of his, so look out for that.
One thought on “Interview: Arcas & The Bear Share Latest EP “Of Asgard and the Planets Beyond””