Clashmusic.com, May 2010

Relentless Energy Session VII

Theatrical stage shenanigans this month were provided courtesy of sprawling London collective Arrows Of Love. Dirgy and shambolic, this metamorphic five-piece channel the angst-ridden spirit of the nineties with their shoegaze-esque outpourings and sudden explosions of instrumental intensity. And anyone who can play the cello is an instant hit in my book. Especially if it's happens to be of the electric variety. Casually swigging from a bottle of red wine, frontman Nima looked like a cross between Marc Bolan and Jim Morrison and ably embodied that grubby tortured soul vibe.

http://www.clashmusic.com/live-review/relentless-energy-session-vii

OK, so let's get the band connections out of the way first. Yes, Nima used to be in Hush the Many and Wim Eden is of Loverman fame. But, aside from their potential for leftfield indie schmindie supergroup status, Arrows Of Love are a lot more than a second hand golden touch: here we have a revolving door of a musical collective, a sprawling sonic mass, whose metamorphic line-up keeps their sound fresh and gives the band immunity from lazy genre classification (and some interesting stories to boot). And did I mention they have an electric cello...

Clash met up with guitarist and vocalist Nima to find out what we can expect from their Relentless gig tonight.....

In the beginning...
A bunch of us met just before Secret Garden Party a year and a half ago. We all had the same itch, i had some songs, and there was a show booked for my previous band that had just split up. we played for a few days and walked onto the main stage not knowing what the fuck we were doing. It was shambolic, and i wouldn't change a thing. I really don't believe in bands 'perfecting' everything in a rehearsal room for months and months before some grand unveiling. All my favourite bands learn as they go.

Earliest musical memory...
The first time music really hit me when when I was 14. Some friends were round my house in my room and everyone was ralking. 'Hey Joe' by Jimi Hendrix came on the stereo and everything else phased out. I kind of froze and could only hear this music sucking me in. I remember my head slowly turning left toward the stereo and i ended up across the room with my ears next to the speaker, blocking everything else out. Life took a pretty turn: I bought a guitar and tried to play like Jimi Hendrix for 2 years

Your sound in three words...
Something that happens.

Fantasy festival line-up
The Pixies, 80's Matchbox B-line Disaster, Leonard Cohen, Suicide, Pissin Boy, Kasms, Howling Bells, Sparklehorse, Low, Alela Diane,
HoneyWeazel, Tenebrous, Atomic Suplex, Josh T Pearson, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Mutant, Bela Emerson, and Kate Bush

The album is out...
We're recording it this summer. I think that means it'll be out sometime in the new year.

What we can expect from tonight...
Try not to expect anything. Just come as you are.

http://www.clashmusic.com/feature/arrows-of-love