26 Apr 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Arrays - Arrays Newsletter Interview

03 Aug 2018 // An interview by butch181

Arrays is the solo heavy rock project of talented multi-instrumentalist JP Carroll. Weakness in Me is the thought-provoking first single from the debut full-length album Wreck, which is due for release in late-2018.

Wreck features a dynamic 9 tracks which were all written, performed, engineered, edited and mixed by Carroll, with Karl Apao at Soundkard Productions mastering the final record.

Weakness in Me will be unleashed on August 3, 2018 and accompanied by a video shot by Francis Wheeler.

JP answered the following questions for muzic.net.nz:

Prior to Arrays, your primary musical endeavour was the band Armed in Advance. What made you want to start a solo project?

Armed in Advance reached a point where we were spending a great deal of money on not many tracks, which was very much in contrast to my writing habits, I've always wanted to work out projects rather than single songs. So Arrays popped up to meet a creative need. Now that AIA is off the boil it's my primary focus. 

What drives you to create music?

Writing songs is one of the most rewarding activities in life for me. As soon as Wreck was done I made a plan to write another record. No plans to stop any time soon. I have a secondary goal of improving the records in all aspects every time I sit down to write and record, so it feels pretty worthwhile and meaningful to invest my time into - Better than heaps of Netflix anyway. 

This project has a much heavier, darker tone than AIA. Anything in particular that has drawn you towards the heavier side of the spectrum?

I think the first EP did, I dunno why that is. I think the new record is actually a little poppier, and more melodically oriented. It's still intended as a heavy rock record, but the writing process prioritised vocal arrangements a bit more than in my writing previously. 

So that doesn't answer your question at all, my bad. 

This is a solo project that involves multiple instruments. Are you playing them all when you record, or are there session musicians/digital elements involved?

I play all the instruments, drums, bass, guitar and singing. There are some synth elements on occasion and those are arranged. 

Without other band members in the writing process, do you have any different checks and balances, or do you write completely independent of any controlling influences?

I have a bunch of different keys, tempos and structures that I use as inspiration for writing, so it doesn't all end up sounding the same. I literally have them written down in a google doc, it's super nerdy. 

The names Weakness in Me and Wreck are rather interesting titles, almost self-deprecating. Has the writing of this album been a cathartic experience?

It's been pretty love/hate. Particularly the mixing which is not my skill set at all. Lyrical content varies from global issues to personal issues, but after listening to the record back to back, the name Wreck was a little self depricating - I'm a weird person in a weird world. 

Weakness In Me is about how families can ignore issues affecting their members in the interests of keeping things comfortable. That's not an issue I've faced necessarily but it's interesting to write about. 

Is there a reason why Weakness in Me has been chosen as the first single from the upcoming album?

Not really. It's the first one I finished and I thought it was cool.

You released the Motives EP 11 months ago. Was it challenging to write, perform, engineer, edit, and mix a new album in under a year?

Massively, and it wasn't even my intention. I was trying to keep it chill and enjoy the process and it ended up being a distraction as I faced some pretty shitty things in the last year. 

Weakness in Me was released on August 3rd. Where can we find it to have a listen/purchase?

You can have a listen on Spotify and YouTube, and you can have a purchase on iTunes and Google Play. And pretty much everywhere else that good music is found. My music's there too.

 

About Arrays

Introducing Arrays, the creative sandbox of Auckland Musician/Producer JP Carroll.

For JP, music is an ache to soothe, and an itch to scratch. JP’s drive to create a breadth and depth of oeuvre has led him to become a student of recording and production techniques, as well as general industry knowledge, to allow his work to reach as many willing ears as possible.

JP’s production skills have earned him top 40 NZ Rock chart placements, as well as being anointed as ‘one to watch’ by the NZ Official Music Charts. The ultimate goal for JP is to be able to live sustainably from creating music, and Arrays serves as one such avenue to pursue this outcome.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Arrays

Releases

Patience Way
Year: 2022
Type: Album
Light Years
Year: 2020
Type: Album
Motives
Year: 2017
Type: EP

Other Interviews By butch181

Newsletter Interview: The RVMES
02 Nov 2018 // by butch181
The RVMES are proud to announce their first release as a band this year on the 1st of December. Their debut single Vibrant Pictures will hit all the popular platforms including Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, YouTube, Shazam and many more.
Read More...
First Inaugural National NZ Irish Fest: Interview with Gerry Paul
10 Oct 2018 // by butch181
In advance of the first ever National NZ Irish festival, Alex from muzic.net.
Read More...
Darryl Baser Newsletter Interview
30 Jul 2018 // by butch181
Dunedin musician Darryl Baser has played with some of New Zealand's favourite musicians and has even toured the South Island with a couple of Australians. With a new album in the pipeline, he spoke to Muzic.
Read More...
Tom Cunliffe - Template For Love Interview
16 Apr 2018 // by butch181
Part way through the album release tour for his sophomore album Template for Love, Tom Cunliffe took the time to answer a few questions: You were born in London before coming to New Zealand around the age of 7. At what age did you start picking up musical influences?
Read More...
INSIDE THE MUZIC: Lola Sola
15 Apr 2018 // by butch181
Before heading out on a nationwide tour, singer-songwriter Lola Sola stopped by to have a chat with the Inside the Muzic crew: Check out the video below: Alex: Welcome to this interview for Inside the Muzic, we're speaking today with Lola Sola. Lola: Hey, man.
Read More...
INSIDE THE MUZIC: I Am Giant
04 Apr 2018 // by butch181
The Inside the Muzic crew sat down with Paul & Aja from I Am Giant to discuss their recently released third and final album "Life In Captivity" and their upcoming final tour of New Zealand. Check out the video here: Alex (Interviewer): Welcome to this episode of Inside the Muzic.
Read More...
INSIDE THE MUZIC: Apollo SteamTrain
31 Mar 2018 // by butch181
While up in Auckland for his inaugural Auckland show with Apollo SteamTrain, Brendan McCarthy sat down for a chat with the Inside the Muzic Crew Check the video out below: Alex (Interview): Welcome to this episode of Inside The Muzic, today we are talking to Brendan from Apollo SteamTrain. Good to have you up in Auckland.
Read More...
INSIDE THE MUZIC: Primacy
31 Mar 2018 // by butch181
After December's release of the collection of singles, III, which signified the departure of their vocalist Jason, the Inside the Muzic crew were invited to chat with Will, Jared, and new vocalist Rhys about everything Primacy. Check out the video below: Alex (Interviewer): Alrighty.
Read More...
View All Articles By butch181

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • FORTNIGHT
    Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone
  • TOO SWEET
    Hozier
  • DOWN BAD
    Taylor Swift
  • THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT
    Taylor Swift
  • SO LONG, LONDON
    Taylor Swift
  • I CAN DO IT WITH A BROKEN HEART
    Taylor Swift
  • MY BOY ONLY BREAKS HIS FAVORITE TOYS
    Taylor Swift
  • BUT DADDY I LOVE HIM
    Taylor Swift
  • FLORIDA!!!
    Taylor Swift feat. Florence And The Machine
  • WHO'S AFRAID OF LITTLE OLD ME?
    Taylor Swift
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem