Artist info
Genre
Indie
Sounds like
The Smiths, beatles, Beta Band
band members
Nic Mckenzie-vocals, Nick Weaver-bass, Carlos Adura-Drums, Tim Chamberlain-Guitar, Simon Relf-Guitar
Influences
elliot smith, The Doors, Stone Roses
Website
Bio
Ethereal guitars and lyrical quirks will transport the listener to a dark, watery world of mystery and enchantment, and leave their heads swimming with unforgettable melodies. Sydney’s DEEP SEA ARCADE’s reverberated pop recalls The Beatles at their psychedelic peak, yet with a character and charm that is undeniably unique. The group began as a song writing and home recording project for founding members and school mates Nic McKenzie and Nick Weaver when they were in their mid teens. Using 4-track tape recorders, broadcast microphones and unconventional computer programs they created a sinister backdrop to contrast with their penchant for pop song structure and melody. After years developing a large catalogue of demo recordings McKenzie and Weaver banded with guitarists Tim Chamberlain and Simon Relf and drummer Carlos Adura, giving the music an energy and scope that was previously out of reach. The triple j and community radio supported single, Crouch End, gained enthusiastic interest from fans and critics 2008. Don’t Be Sorry is the first release to come from the past 6 months of recording both at home and at BJB studios in Sydney with their co-producer Simon Berkfinger. Live, the Sydney five-piece is a force and continues to build a loyal following. As winners of the Hopetoun’s 2008 Homebake/EMI incentive and with appearances at Peat’s Ridge Festival and Playground Weekender, DEEP SEA ARCADE recently played shows with Aussie acts such as Bluejuice, Expatriate, Yves Klein Blue, Holly Throsby, Jack Ladder and Philadelphia Grand Jury. Nic McKenzie’s performance is captivating; his eerie melancholic pop vocal is coolly delivered as he prowls the stage. As a rhythm section, Nick Weaver and Carlos Adura propel the group with a haunting intensity while Tim Chamberlain and Simon Relf’s soaring and intricately layered guitars create a mesmerizing sonic depth amidst a thrilling raw energy.
Deep Sea Arcade are a five piece indie retro rock band influenced by the Beta Band and The Smiths among others.
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
We like to make music by collecting our favourite elements from songs and genres we love and dressing them together in a manor that makes them coherent and new. Originally all the music was written in our bedrooms and recorded on cheap software. We rehearsed the songs with the whole band for about a year before we did a show. I think this incubation period was very important for us.
You met in primary school. Have you worked together before this?
We've been playing in bands since high school. Possibly our greatest moment was winning a "Go For Gold" talent challenge when we we're 16. John Farnham was there to scope us out and ended up using us as his backing band for his next three tours. What's more, nothing I said in the previous sentence is remotely true.
What have been your favourite gigs thus far?
We've been fortunate enough to play with some of our favourite Sydney bands like Dappled Cities, Cuthbert And The Night Walkers and Expatriate as well some great new bands like Songs For Surgery. Some of the most enjoyable gigs have been at Sydney's smaller venues where we grew as a band and learnt how to play a good live show. We still love playing small, sweaty rooms most of all.
What's coming up in the future?
At the moment we're working hard on recording an album. We have a huge number of home recordings, and remaking them in the studio while incorporating all the energy of the live act is both a terrifying and rewarding experience. On the live front, the band is growing fast, in a performative as well as a creative manor. We're having a lot of fun trying to make each show bigger and more energetic than the last. We'd love to break out of Sydney and play some shows up and down the east coast in the very near future.
Australian music is?
Ever-changing, gritty and internationally respected. We're happy to be part of a growing musical culture with a generation of youngens that support it so passionately.
View Profile Hide InterviewReview
There's a definite sixties vibe with the pump organ and fuzzy guitars, a nice lil' ditty truth be told
There's a definite sixties vibe with the pump organ and fuzzy guitars, a nice lil' ditty truth be told