Introducing: Arienas
Introducing: Arienas
Fife four-piece Arienas deal in raw, honest guitar music with a towering atmosphere, chiming guitars, muscular rhythms and a vocal presence that deliver an immediacy and a growing sense they are a band still stretching out and working out exactly how far they can take it.
That progression runs through their growing catalogue. “Aurelia” revealed a more cinematic, slow-burning side, while “Holy Grail” and “Take The Money” brought a sharper, swaggering edge. Their 2026 singles, “Start Again” and the recent “Those Were The Days”, released via Aurelia Records, push that evolution further — balancing strong melodic instincts with the rawer energy of their live sound.
It’s onstage, though, where Arienas really make their case. Supporting the likes of Louis Berry, Kyle Falconer and Sergeant, alongside headline shows including a sold-out Sneaky Pete’s, has given the band plenty of opportunity to sharpen their identity in front of an audience. There’s a sense of forward motion about Arienas as they continue to move forward.
How would you describe your sound to someone hearing you for the first time?
“To put it bluntly, Alternative Indie-Rock. However we would describe our sound as Energetic, Raw and Passionate. From our most classic indie tunes to our heaviest and darkest ones. The same returning themes in all of our catalogue would be the energy the tracks bring, especially live, and the raw emotion carried behind them all.”
When did this project start to feel like something substantial?
“The headliner at Sneaky Pete’s at the beginning of the year made us realise there could be a future to the band. To sell out a show that fast in a different city proved to me there was at least a small audience interested in the music. The crowd that night was electric and to see such a positive reaction to our whole catalogue of songs was something we never imagined we would see.”
Which track in your current catalogue feels most like a statement of intent, and why?
“We have a track called Barriers that is still to be released but has been getting played throughout 2026. It started off as a bit of experimenting with our sound and the final result left us all proud of ourselves. It has become a fast favourite within our audience and we all love the rawness behind it.”
What usually comes first for you: lyrics, melody, rhythm, or atmosphere?
“It varies depending on the song, there have been some like Take the Money, or Those were the days, which the lyrics came first and the instrumental was figured out after. A lot of the time the songs will start on an acoustic guitar and then be built up to what is heard live or on record.”
Do you find themes returning in the writing process, even unintentionally?
“It seems that themes of love or heartbreak come into the songwriting more often than I realise. Some of the newest singles have started bringing out some of my most personal struggles or feelings which can make it nerve racking to then put it out for anyone to hear, however it gives me a close connection to the singles and I feel I can truly put my all into them when performing”
How has your environment—your city, scene, or isolation—shaped your sound?
“We all come from similar areas all being in Fife, Scotland. For quite a while now it’s felt like Fife has been needing a resurgence in its music scene and it finally seems to be getting there. It’s helped shape our sound as it helped us find a niche at least in the local scene to fill and people seem to be loving it”
What does your live show offer that listeners won’t get from the recordings?
“We believe the live shows offer a completely new perspective on all of our music compared to recordings. There is an energy and an atmosphere in a venue that we still haven't figured out how to capture on the studio releases. We would encourage anybody who enjoys the singles to come and see them live to see the singles in a different light.”
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from playing shows so far?
“Perfection isn’t everything. We spent a lot of time early on trying to make sure every note was spot on, but since going to more live shows and seeing the reaction from our sets. We realised that we don't want every single to sound exactly like how we wrote them. The magic of the live shows is the unknown.”
Which artist, album, or moment changed how you think about making music?
“There have been plenty of artists that have changed or shaped the way I think about writing. I admire Alex Turner and Sam Fender for their wordplay and references through tracks, I don't think many writers can come close to them. Jacob Slater from Wunderhorse showed me a true rawness when performing, playing less of a character and just wearing his heart on his sleeve when performing which I related to”
How do you know when a song is finished—or do you ever?
“We don’t believe any song is ever truly finished. We all constantly find new ways to play or add to the singles, but we feel that adds to the live shows. We don’t want to see an exact copy of a single when we go to gigs. Even changing a few notes or adding a couple bars can make the song feel special compared to its recorded version.”
What do you hope people take away after spending time with your music?
“We can only hope that people enjoy listening to the singles. Everybody perceives music differently so we don’t try and push any single hard meaning behind the tracks. Most of the singles relate to parts of our lives but we love that people can relate to the music from a view completely different to ours.”
Arienas: Live
Revofest 1 - Preston - 9th October 2026
Poetry Club, Glasgow - 23rd October 2026
Markinch Town Hall - Fife - 28th November 2026
