Leeds-based electro-indie artist Archie Banks (AKA. Answer Machine) is set to release a new single this August. The single, ‘Disco Dancer’ will be the lead piece of Answer Machine’s latest EP ‘Repeat the Message’.
I spoke to Archie about his latest release and about his journey to get to this point.
Archie moved to Leeds in 2016 to study chemistry at university. The City was a welcome change from life on the outskirts of nowhere near Nottingham. Since moving to Leeds, Archie has enjoyed the freedom to explore the City and the country – and he’s also has grown to love the music and indie scene.
Archie’s been into music for as long as he can remember. He started learning the guitar at 6 years old and has since learned piano, more on guitar – and he can sing! He spent several years trying to get into the indie music scene as a clarinet artist but to no avail. When he switched to writing memorable melodies, Archie found his niche and Answer Machine came into being.
With a live set-up of keyboards, guitars and vocals, no one gig has ever been the same. Archie’s transition to where he is as an artist today has been a gradual build. The process of making music starts out with a beat on the sampler. From there, things build. Typically, pieces grow with chords and then the piano. Voice and more instrumental elements can be added to round out the song.
The genre where Answer Machine is now situated is just as much about the process of creating music as it is the final piece. The style gives Archie the freedom to express himself. ‘”It’s not as rigid as other ways of making music. If I am narrow-minded with what I write then it never comes out how I was planning.’”
Archie takes some inspiration for his pieces from bands such as Hot Chip, LCD soundsystem, James Righton, Everything Everything and Phoenix.
‘Disco Dancer’ builds on previous singles released by Answer Machine. It is an example of what Archie has been working towards; a mix of everything. Archie explained that Disco Dancer is different from previous pieces which were written and composed from a pre-determined idea. It is an example of the kind of music that Archie wants to make as Answer Machine. He is keen to develop songs that are danceable.
Under the complexities of the musical layers, Disco Dancer tells the tale of two people trying to force a meaningful relationship despite having nothing in common. The people are clinging to the relationship in an attempt to distance themselves from everyday life. A pretty fitting narrative for many people today, I feel.
Archie: “Disco Dancer is the most synth heavy track I’ve currently written and is the direction I can see future songs following. While this song originally had over five pages of verse, unfortunately this didn’t make it to the final edit as the first take of the song was over seven minutes long! I’ve been sitting on this for a while now and cannot wait to release it!”
“Arpeggiating madness that combines electronics and rock into a massive new wave anthem” – The Vinyl Whistle
Disco Dancer was recorded at Eiger studios, a Leeds-based independent recording and practice studio that encourages and supports new talent. Archie explained that he has recorded most of his music to date at Eiger and as a result has developed a good relationship with the team. He said that he feels like he can bounce ideas around, and challenge advice that he’s given if he has an idea for where he wants to take a piece.
The release of Disco Dancer will be shared at a release show at 360 Club in Leeds, on Friday August 5th. There will also be release shows at Fuel Café in Manchester on Saturday 6th and then West Street Live in Sheffield on August 8th. Following these, Disco Dancer will be released on all major streaming platforms alongside a music video.
Disco Dancer will be included in a new EP. Archie said that the EP is a collection of the ‘greatest hits’ to date. He is hoping it will be like a bookend to his journey so far. A collective piece of work. After the EP is out, Archie is planning to take a more focused journey in the new direction of Disco Dancer-style pieces, and to create more Disco Dancer-style music that people will want to ‘stick on repeat until they get sick of listening’. He’s created a new home studio set up and is looking forward to trying out new things and putting it out on Soundcloud in a raw form so that he can hear people’s thoughts.
To hear Answer Machine’s latest single, get over to the gig on August 5th in Leeds! Archie is keen to hear what you think. Get to the gig and tell him what works and what doesn’t. Archie ended the conversation emphasising the importance of supporting local venues as they’re critical in helping emerging artists and keeping the music scene alive.
For more information and to listen to Disco Dancer, follow these links:
Soundcloud link to song – Disco Dancer
Soundcloud link to previews – Disco Dancer Previews
Tickets to the release events: https://www.skiddle.com/e/36087224
