Interview with Alex Velikova.
“We are all massive gamers and massive nerds.” Rae Brazill
We had a chat with the electronica-infused rockers Rae Brazill and Ieuan Jones from Artio, to discuss video game inspirations and neurodivergence whilst in a touring band.
Your name Artio comes from the goddess of bears and death did you know that it is also a Runescape boss when you came up with it?
Rae: I didn’t until I started using our branding and then I looked it up and it was there. I was like Oh! Well that’s a coincidence.
Ieuan: I also think it is a Spike character that you can play as, but they all look pretty badass.
So how did you decide on the goddess of bears and death? Is that something that you were looking at specifically or were you looking at different deities?
Rae: I wanted to do something that was a deity or a god. I thought that was cool but I wanted something that wasn’t a super popular name. I also like bears and I think that it is pretty metal that she is the goddess of death as well which is pretty cool. I also wanted a name that started with an A because for alphabetical line-ups it is banging. And I wanted something that was three syllables because that’s chantable. So Artio was the perfect one.
One of your songs is inspired by the Doom soundtrack, are there any other video game inspirations at all?
Rae: We have another song that is inspired by Detroit: Become Human. And we have other songs that are currently being written that are inspired by the stuff we are playing at the minute. But yeah we are all massive gamers and massive nerds.
Ieuan: Sonically as well video game soundtracks are insane and I want to sound as epic as they do.
You guys also mention neurodivergency and how it affects your creative process, what exactly would you say the difference is when you are on tour? And how does neurodivergence affect your touring cycle?
Rae: I won’t exactly know what the difference is because it is all I kind of know. I just need certain allocations with sound and the plan. I need to have the full plan laid out in front of me. I need to be told when there is going to be loud sounds and I always have ear protection on. I get very overwhelmed and overstimulated very easily. So just having people around me that will make those allocations. But it also makes me way more focused and way more driven and I think it is a massive benefit to what we do. But it does also cause me a lot of stress.
You are playing Slam Dunk, have you guys ever been here before?
Rae: Me and Ieuan met at Slam Dunk in 2016 and we have been coming every year since then except for the pandemic year. So it is a really important festival for us and it is kind of the reason why Artio is a thing.
Ieuan: More or less.
Rae: So Slam Dunk is very important to us.
Finally, do you have any tips for people going to festivals this year? Is there something that you can’t go without?
Rae: Sun cream, sunglasses. Ieuan forgot his sunglasses today.
Ieuan: Yeah I did, just be prepared for anything. In all weathers, you might be really tired at the end of the day but just keep yourself going and try and see as many bands as possible.
Rae: Check your map and check your timings! If you miss a set it’s your own fault haha.
Catch Artio on tour with Mothica and Starbenders later in the year, tickets are available here.