Armada of Secrets- Post-Punk-Power-Power-alternative-Dance-rock with Rock/Soul
Interview conducted March 22, 2021
By Dan Locke
Armada Of Secrets’ music is wildly bass and drum driven with intense, raw vocals that blend abstract dance and rock elements into one fresh sound that listeners can enjoy. It’s relevant, untamed and the band themselves have struggled to define their sound for years, but it’s infectious once heard. let’s just call it Post-punk Power-Pop Dance-Rock…
What is your upbringing?
Carl – I originally was raised a catholic, my mum from Irish Decent and my Dad from London, then basically turned into an emo/goth/punk…. I think you could write a story just on that info 😇
Caroline I was raised in Africa in quite a liberal family where I was allowed to be open-minded to new ideas and was taught to respect others with differing behavior and opinions to mine.
How did you discover music?
carl -My dad played a lot of music when he would be home at the weekends, and from a young age I would spend weekends with my family, at a social club, where you always have Irish, country and contemporary live bands playing.
Caroline ah, those were the days…
I developed a love of music from my father who had a varied taste in music. I can’t say I have one favorite genre I listen to. I go with what speaks to me.
How did you start to write music?
Carl – I started to write before I could play music, and decided to pick up the bass through a teenage love of Blink 182 and Brand New which started to develop my musical and lyric writing. It was a never-ending snowball effect from there
Caroline: started at around the age of 12 or 13 really just trying to Express my feelings and emotions in my diary. It slowly developed into poems then lyrics and music.
Describe your music.
Carl – We’re still working on that; we need to know what you think? It got to the point where, on our last release, we put down our genre as Post-Punk-Power-Power-alternative-Dance-rock? please let us know … Caroline: It’s just Rock & soul?
Carl- How did you get your first bass, and do you still have it?
Haha yes, my parents weren’t sure if I would be serious about it, so saved up my pennies and bought a cheap Encore bass, wacked stickers all over it, and tried to make sense of how it worked and where the bass fit. then after year my parents saw the progression and I got bought an Epiphone thunderbird. Which in hindsight were a blessing and a curse. A curse because they are such top-heavy basses, which made me grip more. This was a blessing, as it taught me how the throw the bloody thing around. I still have both of these tucked away. I don’t think I will ever sell these. Too many memories.
What is your bass of choice now? Year, make and model?
i’ m using a couple at the moment, the sound differences really play to each song which is important with our limited set-up. I’m using a customized By Sims Guitars, LTD ESP with a load of cool modifications, lights, woolly mammoth bone, new age ‘sims Quad pick-ups. IT’s a lot of fun to play with. I also use Fender and a great custom company from America Called ‘Marco Bass guitars’. and one more that gets a lot of use, are my Warwick Basses, I can’t argue with how different / the purpose each one has.
Caroline: omg do you have so many,
What makes a good songwriter?
Caroline: Being able to speak from your heart and lived experience and making it relatable to your listener.
Carl – I think that’s a good answer, or you could judge it by how much money the song makes? Seems to be all about the money these days…
What is the process of writing your music?
Carl – We really do all angles, which could be individual ideas, ideas while touring, or when we are warming up for rehearsals. One thing, which is actually my favorite bit of the set, is we build in a time slot, each live set, to do a live jam, and just see what comes out, usually from these, we get some ideas. We feel we are right in the moment on stage, so why waste it
How did your band form?
Carl – I started taking riffs, /vocal hooks ideas to some different drummers, the main catalyst for this being that a band I was in at the time had a show, but only the drummer and myself turned up. so rather than pull out, we decided to do a set just the two of us. Then whilst attending a music college shortly after, Caroline walked in, and I asked her as soon as I saw her what she thought of what I was doing, and then it just seemed like a match made in heaven (or hell?).
How did you get your bands name?
Carl – as cliche as it sounds, it fell into place whilst one day thinking ‘what should we call this, when it originally was just 2 people (before Caroline), and listening to bands like Brand New, which can have interpreting, intricate lyrics, and the name just seemed to come to mind, I remember turning to my partner at the time and going ‘how does this sound?’, she went wow! at least that’s how I remember it?
What was your first performance together like?
Caroline: It was raw, unfiltered, and liberating.Carl – we got the bug, and when we ended up having a hiatus, that was the main thing I missed most. So, during the last year, it’s always been a blessing when we got to meet and play together.
Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?
Caroline: Not in my knowledge – are we? Carl: we need a manager, don’t we?
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
Carl: we actually have a really old EP, where there is an older version of our first (and biggest single) Bleeding Me Dry. We are really proud of that song. So much so we re-recorded it for our EP Kiss &Tell
How has your music change since Bleeding in dry to Tragic Love?
Carl: We loved releasing Tragic love last year, we incorporated a lot more synth into it. We like to keep things as raw and powerful as possible, and always have experienced with additional sounds. but on this track, it was really fun to experiment with adding even more. The new record we have coming out in the summer will have a mix of songs with just bass and some with added synth.
Maybe we just can’t make our mind up at the moment and just like experimenting.
What is the backstory to the video Superstition?
I love this series of videos, it’s basically series. The 1st is bleeding me dry, where you see the characters as young (it’s actually my cousins) and then old (this is my grandad) watching the performance. At the end of that video, you can hear ‘UP in the lights’ which was our second single, and the video is us in a studio. Then we go to video 3 ‘Black Dulwich’ Where you see the band has gone, and it’s just grandad by himself, who walks to the stage to start the next song. This then leads to the 4th video, Superstition, where he then turns the record over, to start the song. We had a great time recording Superstition, we try to put our stamp on any covers that we do. We are all very family orientated, so it’s great we got to incorporate them into this.
How do you stay healthy while performing?
Carl: Water water water water! and a towel haha
Caroline: I try to exercise daily and try to foster a positive mental attitude supported by affirmations.
carl: with how energetic the set is, we need to make sure we keep our stamina up
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
It’s such a complicated issue isn’t it. but ultimately, we’re glad more people can have access to our music
Digital vs. vinyl?
Bitcoin vs gold? A vinyl still looks and feels cooler, it’s just hard to get a playlist and transport a vinyl player!
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
Carl: Sic transit Gloria by Brand New. I’m a big fan, and it’s one of those bands that definitely changes you and gives you a different insight to life. The Brand-New phase comes and goes, sometimes it’s best NOT to put it on.
Caroline: I hope you get to meet your hero – Skunk Anansie. It hits home pretty hard every time. sometimes a good thing, sometimes not.
Both (Pfizer and BioNTech) and Moderna have concluded Phase 3 Study of the Coronavirus vaccine. With the both vaccines, it takes two shots. How many people do you think will take it and how many will forget to take the second shot?
I actually have mine booked in for tomorrow, and my second one in 12 weeks. People in the UK are getting it more and more and it seems – and like a few mandatory jabs a lot of have already, I think a lot of people will want the full vaccination so they can do more activities.
Caroline: I’ll be having my soon as well, due to my job as a social worker.
How long before the whole world will be vaccinated against the virus. You have to remember there only has to be a 70% for Herd immunity (Herd immunity occurs when a large portion of a community (the herd) becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. As a result, the whole community becomes protected — not just those who are immune.). It’s now looking more and more likely by the day that we have found a way to live with it.
Carl: This is important so no one has to live their lives in fear. I think it has taught the world how we can generally be cleaner. Who would have thought we would be living through a pandemic? Whenever I’ve toured in Asia, it’s always been mask / clean hand protocol. The extra measures don’t seem to be too hard to follow. As you said, we are going to have to live with it, the same as flu season. It’s a gamechanger. The world will never be exactly the same.
If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music? Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
Caroline: we are certainly looking forward to getting back, so hopefully, it’s still there…
Carl: It’s definitely going to change, but I think with a never-ending goal to bring it back to its former glory. It’s going to be up to the public demand, ultimately, which will decide the fate of the live music industry. We will play to anyone that will listen.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
I was in a great place when it started, but I did lose my mind a little bit, but thanks to having this project to work on, and seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, I seem to be back. I was already a little crazy, so can’t be too straight. Started to re-learn German, play more piano, more bass (obviously), but there was a time where there was not motivated to pick it up and do anything. Not the first time I lost my mind, won’t be the last but was definitely more obvious in the last year. BUT the songs that have come out of it, are killer. Will take any win we can.
Caroline: always be the crazy one…. which is hard when you’re trying not to go crazy.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
Carl – I must admit, playing a bit more piano, TV (the queens’ gambit and tiger king and rick and Morty got me hooked) was great, but also ended up doing a few Warhammer 40k bits and listening to some of the stories on audio-books. This stuff wasn’t around on audiobook when I was a kid. I think I just love a good story.
Caroline: I have just developed a new found love for ashtanga yoga and have discovered that I love challenging myself.
Caroline- Are you still working out with 5k and 10k runs?
Hell no, I fell off the wagon…. but I do hope to get back to running at some point.
What did you mean by the statement “What else did you expect from a black chick and a white guy?
Carl – Haha we’ve had that up there for years, we’ve always been serious, but not so serious. Racism is something that confuses both of us (and like our music, we like to ask the questions), so what did you expect? Was it this(us)? The world really is a simple, lovely place when you take away all the BS
95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. This includes people who don’t have television and using their computers to do streaming of programs and movies. Which is your favorite streaming channel?
Carl YouTube / Netflix – i definitely watched A LOT more tv and it on in the background more during this pandemic. Usually, I would just watch the NFL when it’s on and only have TV on in the background…that seemed to change during the lockdowns.
Caroline: Netflix, plus a new love for K-pop! and K-pop drama…man it’s wild
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on live-streamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.
The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will includes [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.
How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?
Carl – There’s always going to be a way to do it if the people demand it. IT does seem like the last 10 years have just been a barrage of restrictions on the internet. There are so many platforms’ people are ‘exclusively on’ and they are all showing their purpose and age demographic. like mini cults! But the one positive of the Facebook pages, is now people have to do the whole songs themselves, no backing tracks…
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?
Caroline Answers on a postcard, the great thing about this, is that you’re making it up half the time anyway, so it’s just a different hurdle you got to give. We had recently engaged in an online clues-based game to get our fans to find a new track by solving clues! which was really fun
Is pay to play still a thing? Now pay to play also means thinks like playlist on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour.
There is more of it than ever, and you could spend a fortune on no results, we don’t have a lot of cash, so we try to send it wisely. The downside about not being able to tour is obviously the lack of merch sales. But it meant we set up a couple of online shops where you can get contemporary and bespoke items of ours. If you like a band, buy a t-shirt or a mug
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
Carl – when I first saw that they did a Tupac of Michael Jackson and Tupac, I was blown away, and that was years ago! So, God knows how good the quality is now. Is this the part where we also get smell-o-vision???
Caroline: depends on who I have running around my living room!
Governments around the world are hearing the call of thousands of music creators and included protections for the music community in the omnibus bill. In addition to extended and improved unemployment benefits and small business loans for freelance creators, the package includes several bills which the Recording Academy, its members, and the larger music community advocated for. From the Save Our Stages Act, which provided a lifeline to performance venues and promoters, to the CASE Act, which creates an avenue for smaller creators to defend their copyrighted works, Congress has ensured that both music creators and those who act behind the scenes to bring music to life are given the support they need during this difficult time.” .”
What is Waterloo music bar Blackpool doing to save the UK important independent venues?
Carl – This is a venue we have a lot of respect for, which we haven’t been able to get to yet because of the lockdown. The team that runs it there, has so much passion, in particular, Ian from Waterloo. These are sort of venues that are important for the UK music scene, and unfortunately, we have seen several shut down (some of which we played on our last tour, 500 capacity venues) and Ian at the waterloo, along with some other venues just went ‘enough is enough. They have set up ‘save the 40’ which I believe now is more than 40 venues. There are great things like purchasing tickets in advance, buying a beer in advance (which we are all looking forward to) plus other innovative ways to help support local venues. It’s going to be up to the public to bring this music scene back to life when we are allowed to do so.
In the past, if a musician stops doing music, they find a new career. For example, David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice-over work for SpongeBob SquarePants. If you can’t do music what would you like to be doing?
Carl – Acting, or something creative at least, Ironically all the things that have been put on hold during a pandemic. It’s hard to know what other options are out there when nothing is open. It’s such a hard question with my checkered past, I do hope I’m never forced to make that decision. BUT if the opportunity arose, I think a wedding/party planner. After seasoning for so many bands playing weddings/events, I think I could organize the heck out of a good wedding! are you getting married? Give me a call… We’ll even come to play for you!
Caroline: I’m currently a social worker, helping women in London through abuse and neglect, it’s a heartbreaking, yet rewarding job. IT does remind me how much I love doing music though.
What is your happy place?
Carl – Right now, it’s somewhere comfy with a beer and some good music or a good TV show… a year ago I would NOT have mentioned tv, but here we are. Ask me again in a few months when we can play, my happy place ultimately is being on stage, at the moment, with the sweat on my face and the adrenaline pumping. As we do this interview, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, so I am hoping we can get some normality back for that soon.
Caroline: anywhere that isn’t lockdown haha, well at the moment I think that’s what the whole world has been figuring out, where are our happy places?
Spotify just deleted 750,00 songs, mostly from independent artists. Was your saved?
Carl – Ha, yes, we were – we also have our tunes on other sites as well, but it is interesting that it scared a lot of people, like when Facebook went down before realized there were other options. That’s a downside of not owning the original recording, right?
Sony Music in November and Warner Music Group in December, The ByteDance-owned video app revealed on (February 8) that it has struck an “expanded” global licensing agreement with Universal Music Group. Now that TikTok is now fully licensed by all three major record companies, will you start using TikTok more?
Carl – We actually made a tiktok years ago, but never really engaged – might have to log on to see what all the fuss about!
Caroline: I scroll through, it’s amazing how creative people get!
Danny Wimmer Presents just announced their 2021 Festival Calendar: Which includes the following live shows:
DWP Partners With Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival For July 23-25 Event In Mansfield, OH
Louder Than Life Set For September 23-26 With Newly Added Thursday Night Celebration In Louisville, KY
Welcome To Rockville Expands To 4 Days And Shifts From Spring To November 11-14 In Daytona Beach, FL
Aftershock Set For October 7-10 In Sacramento, CA, Almost Sold Out
Would you be willing to play these shows and what precautions would you like to have in place?
Carl – How and where do we apply? They look great! We are going to be all vaccinated soon and will be following any guidelines that the authorities put in place. for England, that looks like it could be the summer!
Caroline: Carl has toured America before, but I am yet to experience it, he says the Americans are a wild bunch to play for!
Anything you would like to say in closing.
If you like us, tell a friend, you never know who might think you’re cool for it.
Carl – Plus be nice to each other, it’s about to get weird.
Caroline: find that happy place and don’t take it for granted.
