arlo
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arlo

Dallas, Texas, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2018

Dallas, Texas, United States
Established on Jan, 2018
Band Americana Rock

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Music

Press


"arlo - "Rising Artist" Interview - "Ingenue""

Q: I love the massive sound in “Ingenue.” Can you tell me a little about
the song?

ARLO: I’ll take that as a massive compliment! I wrote this record while living in NYC, which was incredibly inspiring for a small-town Texas kid. I wanted there to be a soaring consistency to the hooks and dismounts. Several of the songs from the upcoming EP give you that big release from the go, and then sort of ask for forgiveness later. With Ingenue being the last track on the record, it was important to me that it maneuvers its way to a powerful and dramatic conclusion. Much like the relationship of the characters in the story, the song carries tension and uncertainty throughout the transitions. It needed to find its way home after an epic journey and realize all at once that something big had happened, and it was time to let go and accept that it was over. The story itself is centered around a lonely playwright and his story of the Ingenue. Rather than pursue his own desires he pens the story of her dreams. He places her far away from home in a vibrant city with marquee dreams and an innocent spirit. Although he knows he can never have her, he falls for her as he imagines the words he has written. His final words to her, “Never let them make you doubt your story, or Me, Ingenue…” indicates that he has hope she will discover him one day.


Q: There’s a very interesting mix of influences I could hear there. Did
you have a certain vision in your mind of what the song would sound
like?

ARLO: Absolutely. I knew that it needed dramatic lead guitars, specifically slide or pedal steel. Something that felt nostalgic but also authentic. Like the final scene in a movie that pulled your heartstrings. I typically have an idea of how I want a song to feel before, and then it’s a matter of chasing it around until I figure out how to shape it. In this case, I used a classical guitar in the breaks to give it an endearing but lonely set up to the big choruses and then balanced that with a track of birdsongs to give it hope.

Q: How has your Texas root in play in your music?

ARLO: When I started writing songs as a kid I was heavily influenced by Texas blues. It was all about licks and chops. I had grown up listening to Motown and the Beatles, so somewhere along the way, I swiped the solos for hooky songs. Being born and raised in Texas somehow carries a southern slang that I never could shake, but was always here for anyways. I feel lucky to have been raised in a country gospel musical family, and I’m proud to be from Texas.

Q: How has your journey of music been? Was it smooth? What are some
challenges you faced?

ARLO: I have been fortunate to play/tour with some great musicians and writers over the years, but I wouldn’t call it smooth. Touring was lonely early in my career, and the road put miles on me. I had to take a step back in my mid-twenties and I don’t think I played my guitar for 4-5 years. For me, it was heartbreak that brought me back to songwriting. I needed to work through those emotions to understand the direction I wanted to go musically, and I found my voice along the way. I wanted to ensure that the sound was authentic, and the songs were honest. I started sending demos to my cousin/producer Eric Jarvis and we got to work in his Houston studio on the self-titled debut “arlo” record. I think it took us over a year to finish the collection of 10 songs that we released in 2018. I think one of the biggest challenges for me was posturing as a lead vocalist. I had always been the writer but not the frontman. Everyone can sing until you step up to a hot mic. It took some time and a few bombs to learn my voice and muster the courage to let it rip. At the end of the day, I think it’s the challenges that I ultimately write about. I’m not sure that there is much of anything that’s interesting about smooth or perfect, so I expect that there will be more to learn.


Q: What do you love about making music?

ARLO: So many things. For one, it’s free therapy. When I finish a song, I physically feel better and often for many days. Some might agree that I am a pretty sensitive and emotional person, so crafting art out of it all is just an incredibly healthy form of self-expression. I don’t feel as much of a need to explain myself or push too hard. There is an intriguing mystery to making art. The community of creating music is something that I just have never found anywhere else. Communicating with other players through dynamic vibrations and rhythm feels exclusive to a moment, so for me, these are often very fulfilling memories of the community. I remember feeling relieved when I released my first record. Like I existed in the world and if I left tomorrow it would carry on.

Q: Anything you are currently working on?

ARLO: I am preparing to release my second collection of songs which is a 6 song EP titled “Lonely Soldier.” “Ingenue” will be the last track of the thematic record that emotionally navigates its way around soaring guitars, colorful keys, and big drums. I’m really proud of it. Meanwhile, I am approaching the end of the writing cycle for the third record, which I hope to have done by end of summer. If all goes well I will track in the same Atlanta-based studio with my label friends from “Songs of the Architect” music collective. - Rising Artist


"Finalist - John Lennon Songwriting Competition"

Rock category Finalists - chosen out of 10,000 entries - John Lennon Songwriting Competition


"CBS Musicmakers news segment"

CBS News segment - Musicmakers - CBS


"Rising Stars"

helping hard-working, inspiring people tell their stories authentically and in their own words - Voyage Magazine


"arlo "Ingenue" release"

arlo - Single Release - "Ingenue" - Top Hitz - UK


"arlo new stunning single"

arlo new stunning single - Mixtaped UK


""Ingenue" is the latest hit single from arlo"

"Ingenue" is the latest hit single from arlo..... - Music Hit Box - UK


"Hot New Release"

Hot new release from NYC's arlo.. - Muzic Mirror - UK


""Ingenue" Release"

an economically structured blend of americana-pop-rock arlo releases the big single "Ingenue"... - Chasing Tunes - UK


"Unleashes new Single"

After being featured on various music blogs and national news segments, arlo... - Groove Mag - UK


"Majestic New Single"

arlo is a USA NYC based songwriter who releases.. - American 21 Digital


"Hot New Single"

arlo is a NYC based songwriter who puts out hot new single.. - Music USA Today


"arlo back with an epic new single"

NYC based songwriter arlo is back with an epic new single.. - Discover Media Digital


"Powerful new singles"

arlo unleashes powerful new single -


Discography

"arlo" Self-Titled Debut Record @ 2018 - Crushpad Studios, Houston TX

Produced by Eric Jarvis

Mastered by Dave McNair

Written, recorded, performed by Aaron Long (arlo)

I'm Not Here For You
Done & Said
Listen
New York, Queens
Southern Charm
String
One by One
Understated
Nonnie
Lip Service

Lonely Soldier EP recorded in 2019 @ West End Sound , Atlanta GA
Released Date set for 2021

Written, performed, and recorded by Aaron Long

Produced by Brandon Bush, Kristian Bush, Eric Jarvis

Mastered by Dave McNair 

Engineered by Tom Tapley

Guitars: Aaron Long, Benji Shanks

Bass: Eric Jarvis

Drums: Travis McNabb

Keys: Brandon Bush

Acoustic Guitars: Kristian Bush, Aaron Long (arlo)

Lonely Soldier
Rain Parade - Single Released
Curtain Call
Ingenue - Single Released
Somewhere Safer
Goodbye Picture - Single Released

Photos

Bio

arlo is a central TX based songwriter with a 2 record catalog set in motion by the 2018 self-made and independently published debut record "arlo.."  The 10-song true story and expression of love- then loss was a dramatically vulnerable americana pop record. "New York, Queens" was awarded both the John Lennon and International Songwriting Awards in 2021.

arlo’s follow-up EP “Curtain Calls” was released in fall 2022, and is a heavily sculpted and economically structured blend of americana pop rock that soars and snaps. Goes well with ELO, John Lennon, Beatles, and codependency. 


Band Members