ARCADE ASSEMBLY – AN INTERVIEW WITH ELIAS SORIANO (NONPOINT)
By Ralph Beauchamp
Nonpoint is no stranger to AMP. They are one of the staff’s favorite artists. Lead vocalist Elias Soriano with Grey Daze’s Cris Hodges have put together an impressive project that captures both of their worlds. The new endeavor is called Arcade Assembly. Arcade Assembly combines the strength of hard rock and meshes it with the subtleties of electronica and EDM. Soriano and Hodges combine their musical acumen in order to create something imposing. The merger of such cinematic streams of music harbors dynamic explosions and aural stampedes. Arcade Assembly is the future, It harkens a new sphere of cosmic awakeness.
Arcade Assembly have just released their first single entitled “Nothing’s Real” (361 Degrees Records). “Nothing’s Real” explores themes of existential doubt, personal fears, and the disorienting reality of living in a chaotic world. But it does so with a compelling mix of vulnerability and strength, with Soriano’s gravelly, commanding delivery and Hodges’ soaring, emotionally charged vocals creating a sonic landscape that’s both haunting and uplifting. It’s the kind of track that feels equally at home on a rock stage or echoing through the vast, pulsing arenas of a festival like EDC or Tomorrowland.
Elias Soriano was kind enough to sit with us for this in-depth interview.
AMP: Can you give us a little background on Arcade Assembly?
ELIAS: It all came about due to a lucky encounter. Just by chance, Cris and I crossed paths because of another business venture we were working on together. At the time, we were collabing on some other project and Cris was sitting on the song he felt my voice would be perfect on. Through that process, we became friends and started to work together. We had this writing flow that really kind of grooved.
We decided to dig in and write a few other songs that weren’t just based in rock. Cris and I wanted to add some 80’s pop and EDM vibes to the mix. Then we started playing with a bunch of different genres. It felt like a playground. That’s why I feel Arcade Assembly is the perfect name for us.
AMP: How was it working with Cris?
ELIAS: It was super easy. He’s really friendly and he has a great handle on melody and emotion pertaining to music. To me, when you are writing music, it is like an escape where you can explore the existential side of yourself. It’s like playing with clay and molding your ideas. Cris has a very similar outlook.
AMP: Your first single, “Nothing’s Real”, is extremely powerful. What kind of themes did you address in the track?
ELIAS: When Cris played me the initial vocals for it, it took me back the the Matrix days. The Terminator time where we were just touching on AI and visual simulation. I think that was on top of my mind when I started to read through his words. I think “Nothing’s Real” is about where scientific theories are leading us towards. Are we seeing in 1’s and 0’s? Are we inside of a simulation? All those questions science fiction was asking 10, 15 or 25 years ago! Right now, we seem to be in that state of mind. “Nothing Real” touches on that subject matter.
AMP: Arcade Assembly seems to defy clarification by mixing genres. Was that intentional or did that happen organically?
ELIAS: That was very intentional. That’s the idea. More so than any other project I’ve worked on. This is really about having no rules. So, whatever we are feeling or we feel sounds good, comes into play. Being a rock singer, it was interesting to see how my voice sounded on R&B, pop, trance and EDM. During my normal routine, when I walk around and a melody, song or lyric pops in my head, I now have the ability to maneuver that inspiration in different directions other than the typical Nonpoint strain.
AMP: Staying on topic. do you feel the future of hard rock and metal is the synthesis of incorporating other forms of music and artistic endeavors?
ELIAS: It seems to be going in that direction. The top tier rock bands are leaning on a lot of electronica, synths and old school showmanship. There are these big grandiose productions that just keep getting bigger. When it comes to instrumentation and music, the new rock seems to pull from quite a few other genres.
AMP: Arcade Assembly is signed to 361 Degrees Records. Do you feel this is a good fit?
ELIAS: Yeah! It was initially just one song. We weren’t sure where we were taking this next but since it has a rock element to it and 361 Degrees is an independent, we felt the project was a perfect fit.
AMP: Do you plan to expand the scope of Arcade Assembly? Is there an EP or full length on the horizon?
ELIAS: It’s going that way. We just an offer to collab with a gaming producer. It wasn’t something we thought was possible but we feel we can produce an entire EP from this. It’s fun because it has a transient vibe. I grew up on early Halo and Destiny. Games that had amazing stories and soundtracks. I’m a gamer, so this is personally exciting.
AMP: I just interviewed a band called The Bridge City Sinners who have also taken a DIY approach and started their own label, Flail Records. I’ll ask the same question I asked them. What are the pluses and minuses? Do you feel it’s all worth it?
ELIAS: The plus is obviously control. When it comes to decisions and artistic freedom, we have complete authority. The minus is your are footing the bill. It’s all on you. The budget and spend is yours. This is obviously a hurdle you have to overcome. As to the effort, I think anything is totally worth the effort as long as you understand the consequences. If you succeed, it’s wonderful but if you put in all that time and fail, it’s still pushing you in the direction you want to go. You may initially fail but your persistence towards your goals will eventually hold fruit.
AMP: Any plans for Arcade Assembly to tour as an unit?
ELIAS: Definitely shows. Touring, once the opportunities arise. We are in the early stages of building a body of work. That would be the next step after that.
AMP: Speaking of tours, Nonpoint is currently embarked in a UK stint. How’s it going?
ELIAS: It’s been really cool. The vehicle we have is a manuel, and I’m the most proficient at it. So, I’m stuck on driving duty. Going across the UK on the wrong side (I should say left side to be politically correct – laughing) has been interesting. We’ve seen a lot of cool castles and countryside which I am soaking up.
AMP: Your collaboration with Shallow Side is killer. Any other ones coming down the pike?
ELIAS: First of all, the guys in Shallow Side are high level players. Not a lot of hang ups with those boys. Their harmonies are so clean. They’re doing it for real. As to other projects, there is another collab I’ve been asked to consider but I really can’t talk about it yet. It’s really exciting because I get to play with my rap stylings. It will be super hip hop and super aggressive. I think people will dig it. It would be coming through both Red 13 and 361 Degrees since it will part of the Nonpoint moniker.
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