‘Baited’ seems to mark a shift for you. Can you yarn a bit about what inspired this heavier direction?
‘Baited’ definitely represents a new chapter for us. We were inspired by the idea of blending our grunge roots with a more mature, heavier sound. We wanted to explore the raw energy and intensity we felt in our live performances and translate that into our recordings. At our core, we’re inspired by bands like Foo Fighters, Catfish and the Bottlemen, U2, The Beths and lots of Aussie Indie bands. It’s about capturing a more dynamic and emotionally charged essence while staying true to our core influences.
You worked with an impressive lineup of producers on this track—how was the experience, and what did they bring to the table?
Working with such a talented group of engineers was an amazing experience. Each person added their own unique touch to the track. Bella, who has produced all our tracks, once again took the lead on this single. She always has a clear vision for the sonic direction of the song, and we had an incredible team that helped bring her ideas to life. Their expertise and input helped us refine our sound and explore new creative boundaries. They encouraged us to experiment and tap into the emotional depth of the song in ways we hadn’t before.
How does ‘Baited’ reflect where you are as a band right now compared to when you released ‘Next To Me’?
‘Baited’ shows a significant evolution from ‘Next To Me.’ While ‘Next To Me’ had a more straightforward, catchy vibe, ‘Baited’ delves into a deeper, more introspective space with a heavier sound. It reflects our growth as artists and our desire to challenge ourselves and our listeners. We finally feel comfortable in our sound as a band, it feels like the most authentic version of our current selves and we’re excited to see where this new confidence in our own sound takes us and our music.
You’ve said ‘Baited’ is about standing up for yourself—did any personal stories or moments fuel this message?
Absolutely. “Baited” was inspired by personal experiences of feeling like you’re being provoked or drawn into conflict. Sometimes, people really know how to push your buttons, and the song captures that frustration. While you often hear advice like “pick your battles,” which can be valid, there are times when you need to stand your ground and stay true to your beliefs and decisions. It’s about overcoming challenges and not allowing others’ opinions or actions to sway you from your own path.
With such an evolving sound, do you reckon your upcoming tracks will keep pushing boundaries or take a different route?
We’re definitely excited to keep pushing boundaries. While we’ll always stay true to our core sound, we’re open to exploring new directions and influences. Our goal is to continue evolving while keeping the essence of what makes our music unique.
You’ve supported some big names like Bootleg Rascal and Teenage Dads. What’s been the biggest lesson from sharing stages with these legends?
We’ve been lucky enough to share the stage with so many awesome bands. I think the biggest lesson has been the importance of stage presence and connection with the audience. Seeing these artists perform taught us about the energy and charisma needed to truly captivate a crowd. It’s something we strive to incorporate into our own live performances.
The music video for ‘Baited’ has that vibrant Auckland energy—what was filming like, and do you have any yarns from behind the scenes?
Filming was such a blast! We really wanted to capture the vibrant energy of Auckland, and it was amazing to see that come to life on screen. Our director, David Argue, did an incredible job of translating the vibe of the song into a visual representation. It’s always a bit strange being in front of the camera—we’re musicians, not actors, so trying to look cool in a video can feel a little awkward, haha. But that’s one of the great things about being in a band. We can joke around behind the scenes, support each other on screen, and make the whole experience a lot more fun and relaxed.
How does working in the studio with pros compare to the energy of your live performances? Do you try to capture that same live vibe?
The studio and live performances each offer unique experiences, but both are equally important to us. In the studio, we focus on perfecting our sound, making sure each track is the best possible version of itself. But live performances are where we thrive—it’s all about raw energy and connecting with the audience. There’s nothing like hearing hundreds of people singing your songs back to you. We always try to capture that live energy in our recordings to maintain that sense of authenticity.
As Coast Arcade steps into 2024 with a refined sound, how do you plan to keep that sense of fun and chemistry alive while exploring new styles?
Maintaining our sense of fun and chemistry is essential to us. We’ll keep working closely as a band, ensuring the creative process stays collaborative and never losing sight of the joy that making music brings. We started this band as friends with a passion for music, and it’s great to see that, despite everything, we’re still those same music lovers who find comfort in playing on stages together across the country. We’re excited to explore new styles while staying true to what makes Cost Arcade special at its core.
Looking ahead, what’s on the cards for the rest of 2024? More tunes, tours, or any surprises we should keep an eye out for?
We’ve got some exciting plans lined up for the rest of 2024! We’ll be dropping more new music and gearing up for a massive summer of shows across the country. In early 2025, we’re aiming to head across the ditch and release a full body of work. Plus, there may be a few surprises along the way, so stay tuned—we’re really excited to share what’s coming next!
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