motel void

MOTEL VOID: You’re from Western, MA. How would you describe the current music scene in this area? Do you feel that you’re part of it?

ARDEN LLOYD: I’m originally from the Amherst area and would go to some shows in Amherst and Northampton growing up, but I only got involved in the music scene there recently. I played in jazz bands in high school, but didn’t perform my original music live until after COVID lockdown ended, and at that point I was in my first year of college in Boston at Northeastern University. The music scene in Amherst is blossoming right now though because a new venue, The Drake, opened up in the center of town a few years ago. I see a lot of artists making stops there on their tours now which is really cool. I’ve played at The Drake and seen shows there a few times and it’s been great, it definitely makes me feel more involved with the music scene even though it’s not often that I’m home these days. My first headline show was there in December 2022 – way more people showed up than I thought and we ran out of seating…it was a truly magical night and full circle moment for me.

MOTEL VOID: Could you name your favorite local venues and artists?

ARDEN LLOYD: As I mentioned, I’m unfortunately not too in touch with what’s happening back home most of the time. I spend most of the year in Boston at school and my favorite venue in that area is Club Passim in Cambridge. It’s so warm and intimate, both for audience members and performers, and just such a legendary space. The people who work there are the sweetest too, and I always have the best time on stage.
Royale is also one of my favorites. I’ve seen Andy Shauf and Yussef Dayes there, which have been two of my favorite recent live performances. I aspire to do a big tour in the future and when I visit Boston I’d definitely play at Royale.
There’s a lot of young talent in Boston because there are so many colleges in the area and some of my favorite shows with local artists have been at The Lilypad. Every so often I’ll be listening to a song and then have a moment of realization where I remember that I could just text the artist because they’re a friend. It’s so much fun.

MOTEL VOID: You’ve just released a new single ‘Untitled / Westward’. Will it be part of your new record?

ARDEN LLOYD: “Untitled / Westward” is its own world and story. I wanted to create an EP that included those two songs, but as I started to write more, the new songs I was writing just didn’t fit nicely. I’m just beginning to record demos for a new record now though, and I’m hoping for a full LP! I find that after I release music there’s so much space that becomes free and I feel a new sense of creative freedom. I’m usually not the most prolific songwriter but I suddenly started writing like never before in the past few weeks.

MOTEL VOID: Could you tell us more about the recording and writing process of your songs? Who is your biggest inspiration at the moment?

ARDEN LLOYD: I prefer to be completely alone when I write, and as much as I wish that I could keep a fancy songwriting notebook, I swear by my notes app. I record random thoughts and ideas throughout my days and then will draw from them during writing sessions. Sometimes I write a song in 15 minutes, sometimes it takes months and months to get right.

My last two projects, “Untitled / Westward” and my debut EP, “This Moment,” have been recorded mostly in one take, live in the studio. For “This Moment,” I was looking to replicate how I’d been playing those songs in my bedroom during the pandemic, and for “Untitled / Westward” there was no definite plan going into the studio, it just sounded the best if we played live together. I worked with a superb group of musicians, Justin Lindsay on electric guitar, Caleb Kennedy on drums, and Jack Davies on upright bass. It was a joy to work with friends to bring the project to life and satisfying to have the recordings and mixes to do the songs justice. I anticipate this next project being more intensive and complex though, so I think the recording process will be pretty different. I’m excited to expand my creative process and how I work with other people.

In terms of inspirations, this is always a tough question, but I’ll go with what’s most current. I’ve been listening to Flyte on repeat, particularly their new record and the album “The Loved Ones.” They have a really cool sound that I’m drawing inspiration from, I would highly recommend a listen. “Annie and Alistair” is at the top of my production reference list for my new music.

MOTEL VOID: Your plans for 2024?

ARDEN LLOYD: I’m currently on co-op in NYC, which means I take a semester off from classes and do an internship. I started working in January at an artist management company, Mick Management, which has already been an incredible opportunity. I’m also working on music as much as I can. In April, I’m attending my first academic conference and presenting research I did last semester as a research assistant, and then I’m studying abroad in London for the summer! The rest of the year, I’ll be finishing up my last semester at Northeastern and preparing plans for when I graduate. I’m aiming to have my new record done around the same time too, so keep an eye out! I’ve been really enjoying writing my newsletters lately and if you’re interested in joining in on the journey, you can sign up on ardenlloyd.com!