Local musician Arno Carstens is the epitome of a rock star. The star has been a major player in the South African rock space both as a solo artist and part of Springbok Nude Girls. Never one to play it safe, the star is constantly evolving and pushing himself to create music that both surprises and delights.
This is exactly what he did on his just-released seventh studio album ‘Out of the Light into the Night’. The project’s lead single ‘Reason’, is a beautiful song about a calm resolve, and showcases Arno’s haunting and emotional vocals effortlessly. Now, the singer opens up about his new body of work and so much more.
Congrats on your new record! This is your seventh studio album. How do you keep finding inspiration in the studio?
I’m constantly listening to new music and new production in the music styles I enjoy. I always find myself wanting to integrate some of those interesting ideas into my stuff. Then, I tend to work with producers that are good in certain sounds where I try to surrender to a degree. In that way, you end up getting an objective fresh sound. It’s more about being inquisitive than a necessity to reinvent .
What makes ‘Out of the Light into the Night’ different from your previous records?
Every album needs to have its own sound and vibe. This record is a singer-songwriter alt pop album. It’s sonically dynamic. The thing is, to me, an album is like diary and this album was written and recorded over a period of massive changes on a lot of fronts. There have been both exciting and scary times for so many lately and I think you get the vibes in the music.
It’s your first English record in eight years. What made now the right time to release new English material?
I planned it all out in advance. As soon as I finish one album, I start working on next project. This album was a ripe fruit. We already released four singles from this album before we released the whole body of work. At the end of the day, it’s about keeping life interesting for me and the audience when it comes to creating music in Afrikaans or English or even on a Springbok Nude Girls album.
Tell us a little bit more about the stories you wanted to share on this record?
There’s a holistic look at the complex simplicity of love traversing logistics of mob mentality and the urge to find acceptance and peace in the Twilight Zone.
‘Reason’ is the latest single off the project. Tell us a little bit more about that track.
This song almost wrote itself. During the height of everything that has happened, we’ve all had to face the frightening onslaught that ravaged many of our livelihood’s head on, and the stresses that this caused. As a result, I think what happened, what’s still happening has forced people to face unresolved and new problems head on. Shedding the past, looking towards the future, that’s what this is all about. ‘Reason’ is a love letter, an invitation towards a calm resolve, a reminder of the value of commitment to the things that are important to us in the face of unimaginable challenges.
How different is it releasing music during the pandemic?
For me, the pandemic is an unwanted tragic gift. The lack of touring was financially devastating which put the recording process on halt. But, that’s fine. My love for creating music and the streaming numeration system makes for nonsensical business decisions so, I’m used to weird. The pandemic raised the level a bit and we had to adapt and I am so proud to say that we more than succeeded.
The local music scene has changed so much since you first made your mark on it. What excites you about it today?
Things are so different to how it was in the ’90s. Back then, we brought out an album every four years. Somehow, things went full circle and we now put out singles as was the trend in the ’60s and ’70s. That means I’m constantly writing or in studio and I love it .
Now that the album is out, what can fans expect from you in the months and weeks to come?
I am finally going to tour the album, so give it a listen! I hope you enjoy it and if I’m in your area, come sing with!
Listen to ‘Out of the Light into the Night’ below and read more music news here.
