Interview with Arctis: Finding Light in the Dark

Thank you very much for taking the time for us today. Let's get straight to it. Congratulations on the release of your debut album. How do you feel about it?

Alva: I feel great! We've been working on it for years and haven't really had the chance to see how people react to it. It's exciting to finally release it and get feedback on what we've built.

Björn: Yeah, it's a mixture of excitement and curiosity. We've been working on it for a long time and now we're waiting to see how people react. But we're really proud of what we've done.

You are a relatively new band, formed in 2018. How did ARCTIS come about and how has your sound evolved since then?

Björn: We originally played together in another band, but as our sound became more modern and experimental, we felt it was time for a fresh start. So we decided to form Arctis.

Alva: Exactly, it was a chance to redefine ourselves musically. Our debut album is more of an introduction, so to speak: Here we are. This is Arctis. It's not tied to a specific theme; it's more about introducing the new “me”.

You describe your sound as modern metal. What does that mean to you?

Alva: Well, we don't strictly fit into what people traditionally think of as modern metal. We are more fluid - a mixture of metal, pop and rock. For us, modern metal means growing within the genre, experimenting and creating something fresh. It gives us the freedom to explore without being tied to a specific sound.

Björn: Yes, we wanted to create something new, something that feels like a mix of old and new. It's nice to hear that people like you realize that!

Your label, Napalm Records, says that Arctis draws inspiration from Nordic themes and explores mental struggles and internet conflicts in modern chaos. Can you elaborate on that?

Björn: We are strongly influenced by Finnish nature and the weather phenomena around us. However, we don't think we can write songs exclusively about things like northern lights or typical Nordic motifs. Instead, we focus on themes like freedom and self-realization, as well as the inner struggles we all experience.

One of our songs, Theatre of Tragedy , deals with the struggle with the inner negative voice. It's about fighting the battle within yourself. It was important for us to explore this topic because everyone in Arctis has this inner struggle that needs to be silenced.

Alva: Yes, we have worked hard to free ourselves from these constraints. It's not easy to be a band and make a living as an artist in today's world. We put our feelings into our music. A lot of our lyrics reflect the chaotic nature of modern life and the challenge of being seen and staying true to yourself.

The Finnish seasons also play a crucial role in shaping us. We experience incredibly bright summers that contrast with dark winters, which creates a melancholic mood that lasts for most of the year. This contrast definitely influences our sound and lyrical themes.

Björn: Absolutely! You could say: Broken weather makes broken people. (laughs) It's about navigating the light and the dark, especially in these periods of complete darkness.

Alva: Exactly. You can really hear that contrast in our music, combining elements of light and dark. We have the heavy metal side paired with pop influences that reflect the duality we experience in life. It's a recurring theme in everything we do - the light and the dark, the seasons, our nature and of course the music itself. Even visually we embody this contrast: I am the light front woman and the guys in the band are my dark team. Everything we create revolves around this idea of contrast.

Let's talk about the songwriting process - how does it work at Arctis?

Björn: It's a team effort. I might start with demos, but every band member contributes. The collaborative nature of our songwriting is one of our greatest strengths. It keeps the music interesting and diverse.

Alva: Yes, we all contribute to every song. It's never just one or two people working on something. That's what makes our sound unique - each member has a voice and you can hear that in the music.

One track that really stands out is your cover of Lambretta's Bimbo. Why did you choose this particular song?

Alva: It was a bit random actually! But I liked the idea because it's another Nordic band with a front woman, and it felt right to pay tribute in that way. It was also fun to add our own touch to it.

Björn: I've always liked Lambretta, so when it was suggested to us, I was immediately on board. Some band members weren't so keen at first - our drummer Mika didn't think it was that great - but eventually he got into it too. And now we even have a music video for it!

Speaking of music videos: Your first video for “I'll Give You Hell” was a big step. How was this experience for you?

Alva: It was great fun, but also very intense. We shot two videos in one weekend, so it was non-stop work. It was the first time we really got out of the studio and performed as artists, which was exciting. It felt like we were finally putting the music out into the world.

Björn: Yeah, it was exhausting, but a great experience. We basically lived at the location for the weekend, which made it feel like a camp. It was cool to see how it all came together.

You're also going on tour soon and performing with Apocalyptica. What are you most looking forward to on this tour?

Alva: I'm just so excited to finally play live with Arctis and see how people react. This will be our first time performing these songs in front of an audience and I can't wait to share that energy with the fans.

Björn: For me it's about meeting people and seeing new places. We live in a small town in Finland, so it's always exciting to get out on the road and experience the world. But we're definitely preparing more seriously this time - we've got everything well organized and are focusing on staying healthy while we're on the road!

That sounds like a big step for the band. Are there any specific goals you're working towards in the future?

Björn: We just hope to grow our fan base and continue to make music that connects with people. We're already working on our second album, so we're not stopping.

Alva: Yeah, this tour is really about laying a foundation for people to know who we are. And after the tour we'll keep working on ourselves, with more music and new projects. It will go on!

Before we wrap up: Is there anything else you'd like to say to those discovering Arctis for the first time via this interview?

Alva: Since Dark Divas is all about female-led bands, I would say definitely check us out! We have more up our sleeves and are constantly evolving.

Björn: Yes, listen to our album. There's something for everyone. We're just here to make great music that people enjoy.

One last question - do you have a favorite song from the album?

Alva: For me it's Frozen Swan and Theatre of Tragedy. Frozen Swan is a majestic ballad that has a lot of personal meaning for me, and Theatre of Tragedy just has this melancholic vibe that I love.

Björn: I feel the same way. Theatre of Tragedy is dark and powerful - definitely one of my favorites.

Thank you both so much for your time! We're excited to see where this journey takes you and will keep an eye out for Arctis' next projects. Good luck on your tour!

Alva & Björn: Thank you!