Today we’d like to introduce you to Noah Sills of Arkose.
Hi Noah, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started making music when I was a kid. My parents bought me a First-Act drum kit and electric guitar for Christmas. I didn’t really fall in love with either of those, but it was definitely fun to pretend. I gravitated towards saxophone in 6th grade. I knew I wanted to play a jazz instrument because my parents put on songs like ‘September’ or ‘They Reminisce Over You’ in the car. My mom played Michael Jackson and Earth, Wind, & Fire greatest hits and my dad had this burnt CD of old school 90s hip hop such as Rakim, A Tribe Called Quest, and Pete Rock. Which those records made me go down my own rabbit holes in music. I found Steely Dan, Wayne Shorter, Jamiroquai, Tom Scott, Charlie Parker, Aerosmith, BB King, Weather Report, Joni Mitchell, and so many more
So by the end of high school [2016], I was self-teaching myself piano and songwriting at the same time. I wrote my first song in the last week of school. I brought in a violinist, cellist, flutist, and saxophonist and I taught them the parts. I still have a recording of it on my phone.
I loved writing so much, I started a band called The Ads. It was made up of all my [Hillgrove] high school and college friends [Valdosta State]. It was mainly horn-centric instrumentals. It was a failed attempt at trying to sound like Snarky Puppy. The band eventually disassembled.
I started working on different music. During this time [2018], I was writing a song a day on GarageBand on my phone or FL Studio on my laptop. I also learned flute and clarinet around this time too.
In 2019, I started finalizing this EP called ‘For the Love’. All I needed was a guitar. So I called up my friend, now bandmate, Tad Adams. Tad and I go back to high school at Hillgrove in Powder Springs. He played trumpet in band, but we did a jazz semester, and he brought in a guitar. At the jazz concert, we played the Chicago tune, ‘25 or 6 to 4’. He blew everybody’s hair back. My dad later told me that night, “If you ever have a band, that needs to be your guitar player.”
That statement soon turned into foreshadow when Tad and I formed our Acid Jazz Duo Group, Arkose. The band name came from a street sign that I used to drive by all the time growing up. I eventually named a demo by that name. I thought it was a cool play on my own name (Noah’s Ark). And the name is a sedimentary rock and I feel like that can describe our sound (rock of rocks: different styles into one).
Arkose is the main project that I do. It’s the perfect place for me to experiment and to leave a mark. We put out a lot of music this past year [2023]. We put out a beat tape called, ‘Diamond in the Rough Vol. 1’. And we have a couple of collaborations from our EP ‘Added Pressure’.
I’ve been fortunate enough to work with or tour with different artists. I toured and recorded with blues artist Eddie 9V for two years. I’ve also done some work with Chase Shakur, Jai’len Josey, SWAVAY, Kennedy Ryon & many more. I also got the chance to do some Dreamville camps in the past as well, which was eye opening.
Arkose is finishing up our debut album at the moment. Can’t wait for people to hear it. It’s going to be called ‘Ecliptic’.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The struggle is always relative. Sometimes, it’s money-related. Sometimes, it’s love life, but those struggles usually turn into songs. Sometimes, it’s getting into a writing slump. But I’ve always found ways to make it happen, thankfully.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a multi-instrumentalist. I’m a musician. I’m a producer. I’m an artist.
I’m most proud of having my own sound in everything I do. I’ve failed to sound like my heroes, so I’ve accidentally formed my own sound over time, whether that’s on saxophone or producing.
What sets me apart is the multiple instruments I play (sax, flute, piano, clarinet). Most of my friends, that are amazing musicians, only gig on one instrument. I find myself getting called for different gigs for different instruments all the time. It keeps me working, and I love the fact that my week can have three different gigs on different instruments. It keeps me honest, and it’s just fun for me. So, with that being said, sometimes I get called into the studio more because I’m a 4-in-1 package deal, and it makes everything easier for people.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Little wins turn into big wins. It’s important to be present. Celebrate the successes, and don’t be afraid to embrace the failures as well. That’s how I’ve learned the things I know now. Playing a gig can be a great parallel to life sometimes. Some gigs are easy; some are unbearable. Some gigs, you get the music a month in advance; some you get the music that day. Learning to adapt is huge. And know your worth is big as well.
Pricing:
- Stream Arkose on all platforms for free
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkoseofficial?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Arkosejams?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/noahesills?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Image Credits
First picture: Erica Glass Second picture (blue): Vlonery Third picture: Erica Glass Fourth picture: Jazmine George Fifth picture: Chloe Ravina Sixth picture: Erica Glass Seventh picture: Z2 Entertainment Eighth picture: Chloe Ravina Ninth picture: Devin Simmons
