Adam Kennedy speaks with Newcastle-based indie singer-songwriter India Arkin about her new single and plans for 2025.
Looking back on 2024, how was last year for you as an artist?
Last year was honestly quite a big year for the project. I did my first-ever headline national tour in the spring, which was a massive success. Nearly every show was sold out by the end of it, which was mental, especially being independently funded and independently organised. We also had the amazing opportunity to go on tour with The Feeling, which was insane because we were playing O2 Academies. And Daytime TV were on the line-up – it was crazy to watch them as well. We also had my release ‘Senseless’ come out and I graduated last year as well, so now I can move forward with full force, which is really exciting.
Tell us about your new single, ‘Metro Line’…
I wrote ‘Metro Line’ maybe two years ago now. Oh my gosh, it’s been quite a while, and it’s about the tension and catharsis of bad and toxic relationships. It also reflects on the hardships of life as a young person, especially in this day and age, with the cost of living and all of that craziness. The song takes you on the journey of the highs and lows of that. We worked with John Martindale, who produces for Pigs x7, and he was amazing. I’m really excited to get it out.
Is ‘Metro Line’ perhaps the start of a new chapter?
‘Metro Line’ is one of a few singles I’ve got lined up for this year. I do have plans to release an EP by the end of this year but ‘Metro Line’ isn’t part of it. But something big is coming, so that’s exciting.
For those who are maybe not acquainted with your music, how would you best describe your sound?
I think my sound is kind of alt-rock/indie with slight soul fusions vocally. It’s like this perfect marriage between really intimate, gentle vocals a lot of the time, and often quite maximalist instrumentation, because I can’t control myself when I get too excited. I’d say the project is almost like an intimate scripture to life.
Which artists are you listening to yourself presently?
My favourite artist most recently, I would say, is Alice Phoebe Lou. She has all of these pop-synth-folk fusions, and lyrically, she’s incredibly poetic. And very on-trend, but also The Last Dinner Party are amazing. And being someone who does too much with their productions quite often – I love the maximalist style – it’s very true rock, and I think there’s something really powerful in that, which I really like. I also take a bit from psychedelic rock, so I really like Mild High Club.
Do you have your plans for 2025 mapped out?
We’ve got a tour coming up that’s unannounced, so keep your eyes peeled. We’re hoping to go a bit more across the country as well this year and there are lots of big dates coming up.
‘Metro Line’, the new single from India Arkin, is available now on all major streaming platforms.
