Spotlight Sounds; Episode Four with Arditti

Welcome back to Spotlight Sounds, a series by Secrets Behind the Sound celebrating the vibrant world of Irish music. Dive into the blend of tradition and innovation that characterises Ireland's contemporary music scene, featuring both established and emerging artists. Explore the influences and experiences shaping Irish musicians and join us as we delve into their creative processes, stories, and journeys. Through in-depth discussions, Secrets Behind The Sound recognises the groundbreaking contributions of Irish artists to global creativity. Whether you're a long-time fan or a newcomer, Spotlight Sounds invites you to explore the captivating realm of Irish music—a journey into the stories, sounds, and enigmas that make up Ireland's music scene.

On this week's episode of, I was joined by Keelan from Longford based Arditti. Consisting of Alex Watts, Cian Ryan, Keelan Ward and Alex Reilly, Arditti came to light in 2020 and are an alternative rock band. At just 18, the lads have a very unique sound that is influenced by bands such as Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Smashing Pumpkins. Their creative skills led them to Vibe Studio, where they worked closely with producer Leo Logan to bring their new tracks to life. This young group of musicians aimed to craft a distinctive and personal sound for their debut EP. In recent times, the band has unveiled their latest single, "This Feeling," and they are currently immersed in the process of creating more music.

Can you start by introducing the band and your musical background?

We are Arditti, an alternative rock band from Longford, Ireland

How would you define the genre that you as a band primarily identify with, and how do you incorporate other influences into your sound?

We primarily refer to our genre as alternative rock, as it's not exactly hard rock, but not quite pop either. We have experimented with incorporating either genres into our music as well though, as we try to showcase our range. For example, our song Up the Walls has a more modern rock feel to it, with its steady yet powerful drum beat, but then on the other hand we have Lovesick which is a lot more slow and calm

How do you see the current state of the Irish music scene? Are there any emerging trends or unique characteristics that stand out to you?

I feel that the Irish music scene of today is on a rise, and has a lot of potential for greatness. I believe social media has a lot to play in this part, as it has allowed smaller bands to reach a larger audience than they usually would have gotten from just doing the odd few gigs. I have seen many bands gain huge traction due to platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, and I think this has given the extra motivation to continue in their craft, and does also motivate others to start their own musical journey.

In what ways does your music reflect your Irish identity or connect with the local culture?

Our music does not have a lot of direct connections to our Irish roots, but it still nonetheless where we come from so naturally it holds a great significance in our lives, and it wouldn't surprise me if some of our music down the line played a more obvious homage to our heritage.

Can you walk us through the creative process when writing and composing music?

It's a lot of trial and error, And it can get frustrating. There have been many a time where we could spend days or sometimes even weeks working on a song just for us to inevitably go "This is shit". So sometimes you might just need a break to clear your head from it all.

What we do when we try to make a song is we record absolute everything, just in that little voice memo app on your phone. We record it all because you never know what might be good. And then months down the line you can run through all your recordings and who knows, you might find something you forgot about and that you actually really like. Sometimes it can be easier to properly listen to a song you've made after you've left it for a bit of time.

Could you provide an overview of the current state of the genre you as a band associate with in the Irish music scene. In your opinion, has it evolved in any way over the years?

I think that the alt-genre is looking to become the most prominent genre in the Irish music scene, or at least for live performing bands like ourselves. I see the genre as sort of an evolutionary step, as the traditional classic rock as we all know it is at a decline (at least for new music coming out), alt-rock has sort of come to fill the void. I see many similarities between the two genres, such as the energetic atmosphere that they bring to live performances, which is an aspect that has greatly boosted the popularity of the genre, and with live gigs becoming more and more prominent since the pandemic, I believe that the genre will only grow with time.

Diversity is an important aspect of any music scene. How do you think your band's music contributes to the diversity of the Irish music scene?

We aim for our music to bring something new and unique to the table. We hope that our music can stand out as something fresh and original when looked at in the sea of competition that is the music scene.

As an Irish band, what advice have you got for other artists trying to navigate the industry and find their unique voice?

It’s all about trying out new things and seeing which you find suits you best, and working from there. Before you try to go out and make a name for yourself in the music scene, you’re going to first figure out exactly what you want to be, what it is you want to play, and how you want to do it. If you have that figured out then you’re off to a great start.

What can listeners expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming releases, collabs or projects you're excited about?

We plan to have as many live gigs as we possibly can, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be hard at work on our own original work. You should keep an eye out because a new Arditti song is soon to be in the works.

I am going to finish off by asking you, if your music was a flavour of ice cream, what flavour would it be and why?

Salted Carmel, because it is by far the best.

In conclusion, Arditti, this remarkable alternative rock band from Longford, stand out as an example of talent and determination at the young age of 18. With their unique sound already making waves, both in their tracks and live performances, they stand as a demonstration of the potential of youthful creativity. As they continue to explore and refine their distinctive sound, it's clear that Arditti are a rising band in the music world, set for a promising future that holds endless potential. Keep an eye on this band, they are destined for greatness.

Be sure to check out Arditti on their socials;

Instagram; @arditti_band

Spotify; Arditti

Twitter; @officialarditti