Arcane Roots have returned after an eight-year hiatus with the expansive, experimental new single ‘A Wave Across The Sea’.
The song arrived today (Tuesday January 27), making the group’s first new music since 2018. Spanning across six-minutes, the track showcases the full breadth of musicality the members have, and constantly evolves into new territories – never sticking with one set motif for too long.
‘A Wave Across The Sea’ was released via Big Scary Monsters (BSM), which is a label that the band once tried desperately to be signed with in their early career. They recently signed with BSM, making this return to making music feel like a full-circle moment.
As well as pushing boundaries and reminding fans of their distinct approach to songwriting in the new single, the comeback also sees the former three-piece expand their group dynamic. Founding musician and member Daryl Atkins has now returned to the line-up, and they are also joined by Icelandic composer Bjarni Biering.
According to guitarist and vocalist Andrew Groves, the members had an unspoken understanding that they would return someday after taking a step back in 2018. The decision to part ways saw each member go their own way temporarily – with some moving abroad, some focusing on starting families, and some taking a break from music altogether.
“When we disbanded the band in 2018, it was always with the understanding that we could return one day under better circumstances,” Groves said. “Founding drummer Daryl Atkins and myself had long been looking for a way to continue creating together, after him needing to leave Arcane Roots in 2015.
“Our busy work schedules had other plans however and it wasn’t until a chance meeting with Icelandic composer Bjarni Biering, after relocating to Iceland in 2019, that we struck upon the unlikely songwriting partnership that we have today.”
He continued: “Within a short time we felt we had something to share and began to set the stage to see if this could become the supergroup we’d all dreamed of. We’re still exploring that to this day, that excitement and challenge commands absolutely everything we do and it feels completely limitless right now.”
Check out the new track in full above.
As well as making their comeback with new material, Arcane Roots have been confirmed for some exclusive festival slots this summer. These include slots at 2000trees Festival and ArcTanGent.
For the former, they will be headlining the Axiom stage on Friday July 10, as well as a more stripped-back set at the Forest Stage on Saturday July 11. The ArcTanGent slot will be on August 21.
As per a press release, there will be some warm-up shows ahead of the festival slots, and these will be announced via the band’s mailing list at a later date. Visit here to sign up for access and be the first to hear about the upcoming gigs.
“If you were going to ask me where I would want to present such a pivotal event in our lives, 2000 Trees and ATG would be the immediate retort,” Groves continued.
“They have always served as both a source of raucous celebration and loving home-away-from-home for us. We’ve always given our all to make Arcane Roots the very best it could be and now this rebirth feels like we’ve only just scratched the surface. There is nowhere more fitting for us to share our new findings with.”
When the band announced their hiatus in 2018, they shared a statement that read: “It is with heavy hearts, that we announce the end of this chapter of Arcane Roots.
“Over the last 12 years, we have achieved more than we could have ever dreamed of and seen more of the world than we could have ever known. The smiles & voices of each of our fans from all over the world have been such an incredible source of light for us, that I don’t think we could ever truly impart the gratitude we have for all of your love & support over the years. Thank you. Always.”
