Interviews: Arrow Valley

On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Heavy Rock band Arrow Valley from the UK. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE!

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or did it just come out like that?

Myself and Arron opened up an online band name generator when we started to work on our first EP, You’re Not Alone. One of the prompts on the band name generator was “A place that is special to you or the band”, to which Arron replied “Arrow Valley”, which is a park in his hometown of Redditch. I responded “Well, I kinda like that name as it is”, so we didn’t even get around to generating the list of suggested band names!

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

It was just a natural progression of learning to play the guitar. The more complex heavy riffing and soloing in rock and metal was far more enjoyable for me than indie or pop, so the more riffs and shredding solos the better!

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

I very briefly met Arron about 10 years ago at an open mic night, but we never actually spoke! I discovered him on JoinMyBand.com and instantly recognized his voice from that open mic night. We also got Abbas onboard using the same website, I had worked with Mark in the NWOBHM metal band Cloven Hoof a few years ago and introduced him to Arrow Valley whilst we were performing in our Nu-Metal/Emo tribute band. He was instantly hooked and jumped straight on board with Arrow Valley. Arron had worked with Nicky in previous bands too, so we managed to quickly get together a solid lineup through our various past connections with a little help from JoinMyBand!

4. Each band member's favorite band?

It fluctuates on a day-to-day basis, but at the moment we are:

Me (Luke) - Iron Maiden

Arron - Tremonti

Abbas - Red Hot Chilli Peppers

Mark and Nicky - Both on the Sleep Token hype at the moment!

So a pretty diverse range of influences.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Personally, I wouldn’t say anything that particularly makes me want to write a song, it’s just something that happens as part of practicing my instrument. I’d say most songs I do write will simply happen with little to no effort within about 15 minutes of picking up my guitar. Steve Vai, an absolute idol of mine, explains it as letting the music flow from the universe through you, almost like you're acting as a medium for the music to travel through. That is very ‘woo-woo’ for my liking, but it does make for a good metaphor!

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last gig was at The Northern Powerhouse in Birkenhead. Absolutely a class venue!

7. Where would you like to play?

Here there and everywhere! Providing the stage can accommodate Mark’s ridiculously big drum kit… he does take up a few acres with his setup!

8. Who would you like to support?

We all have a shared love of Alter Bridge and they seem to be really nice guys, so they would certainly be top of the list.

9. Who not?

I can’t imagine we’d go down very well with any blues bands… As soon as Arron starts screaming I think we’d scare half the audience away.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

I used to, but it definitely has mellowed over the years. My best tip would be to over-practice. If you can nail the songs in your bedroom, sit comfortably, and try rehearsing whilst moving or even jogging around, When you’re on stage you want to be comfortable enough to move and perform; so you almost need to go above practicing the playing to be ready for a stage. Lemmy had a great quote “No one goes to a show to see their next-door neighbor on stage”, so sometimes giving a performance can be as important as playing the songs immaculately.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Personally, Iron Maiden has been a huge inspiration. Their use of dual guitar lines and the energy of the songs is something that is inherent in most songs I write. Whilst we don’t sound like Maiden, there are definitely elements hidden amongst our more modern sound. Arron pulls a lot of inspiration from bands such as Alter Bridge, Tremonti, and Breaking Benjamin, so his more ‘modern’ sound and my old-school metal approach seem to meet at a pleasant middle ground.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

It’s not necessarily weird, but I do still find it strange when fans ask for the setlist at the end of a gig. By the time we’ve trodden on them, split beer on them, and misspelled some of the songs by hastily writing the set lists out 2 minutes before showtime I can’t imagine they’re the greatest moments from the gig!

13. What do you think of your fans?

Each and every single one of them are class. We have all the time in the world for anyone who has chosen to support us. Love you all!

14. What do you think of our site?

I love the fact you give both grass-roots bands and well-known bands an equal platform for exposure. Great work!

15. Something to add?

Thank you for your time and save the date of 18th October for when our next EP “Emboidment” lands! We’re really excited to get it out there.