At a lively, rain-soaked TRNSMT Festival, Karen from the Scottish Music Network had the chance to sit down with the enthusiastic members of Arkayla: vocalist Cal, bassist Joe, drummer Dylan, and guitarist/singer Finley. Despite the classic festival downpour, spirits were high as the band geared up for their highly anticipated debut on the festival stage.
One of the first things that catches anyone’s attention about Arkayla is their intriguing name. Right off the bat, Karen could not resist asking about its origins, and the band was more than happy to share the story. It turns out “Arkayla” comes from a long-lost, unreleased Oasis demo dating back to 1992. The track itself is something of a legend – described as a rough, Stone Roses–inspired tune featuring Liam Gallagher channelling what the band jokingly called a “terrible Liam Brown” impression. Choosing a name with no obvious meaning has led to its fair share of amusing confusion, with fans and newcomers alike guessing everything from scouting references to nods to The Jungle Book. The truth? Even the band is not totally sure what the name means, and they love that it leaves a little room for mystery and fun.
During their chat, Arkayla were eager to share some big news about what is next for them. Their brand-new single, “Dova,” is set for release the following Monday. The song is inspired by the extraordinary adventures of a Polish explorer who, at age 70, managed to kayak across the Atlantic three times – before ultimately passing away on top of Mount Kilimanjaro. Arkayla described “Dova” as a tribute to living life to the absolute fullest, and they are especially excited for their Scottish fans to be the very first to hear it.
Looking ahead, it is clear Arkayla has a packed festival schedule. They will be taking their energetic live show to Kendal Calling, Latitude, Leeds Festival, and Truck Festival, plus making appearances at several Swiss festivals, including Winterthur and the renowned Music Fest Wacken. A recent highlight for the band was sharing the stage with Paul Weller in Liverpool, and they are thrilled to announce another show with him coming up soon in Bedfordshire.
When it comes to their sound, Arkayla draws from a wonderfully eclectic mix of influences. Their music weaves together everything from the indie rock vibes of The Strokes and the jangly guitars of The Smiths to classic Beatles melodies and the soulfulness of old-school records. Each band member also brings their own flavour to the table – whether it is elements of hip-hop, reggae, or even some modern sampling techniques – which ensures that every Arkayla performance is fresh, vibrant, and full of surprises.
As their conversation wound down, the band shared some fun festival stories, including a quick bite to eat (and a laugh about some questionable pork that “looked like it had already been eaten”) and catching part of a soulful set by James Emmanuel. Arkayla spoke warmly about Scottish audiences, describing them as both intimate and electrifying, and hinted at a sold-out show at Glasgow’s iconic King Tuts as part of their upcoming tour.
With Karen wishing them lots of luck, the members of Arkayla left the interview buzzing with excitement for their 5 p.m. set that afternoon. Rain or shine, they were more than ready to bring their genre-blending sound and infectious energy to the TRNSMT stage – proving once again that, for Arkayla, the show always goes on!
Interview by Karen Edmond
