The Arno who stands before us today is a matured manly version of the leather-trousered tout a few years back. Now married, and having recently celebrated his leather anniversary of three years, Arno is deep into his solo career after many good years at the helm of one of SA’s favourite rock bands, Springbok Nude Girls.
It doesn’t seem so long ago, but it has been five years since Arno’s previous solo album, The Hello Goodbye Boys in 2005, preceded by Another Universe in 2003. This third album will be Arno’s first official UK release and London is where Arno and his wife are based for the year of 2010. (Well, minus a few months around the World Cup when they’re heading back to catch some of the action and to launch Wonderful Wild in South Africa.)
Wonderful Wild was written, recorded and mixed in London and Spain with co-songwriting contributions from Giles Martin, James Walsh (Starsailor), Jim Duguid, Paolo Nutini and Youth. The album was produced by legendary British producer Youth (The Verve’s Urban Hymns) and Jim Duguid (Paulo Nutini’s These Streets).
“I am proud to have songwriters like Giles Martin, James Walsh and Paolo Nutini on this album,” says Arno, “Wonderful Wild represents the journey that I have been on over the last two years making this CD. It’s been a wonderful experience with a lot of wild excursions! Its also one of the tracks I wrote on the album.”
What can we expect from the album?
Arno: There are guitars in it, but its turned down low, although live it will be louder! The songs are better crafted and I spent a lot of time on the lyrics and song structures. It was all about crafting these beautiful songs, and I really enjoyed the process because it is so different to how we work as SNG. Of course I cant wait to get back into the studio with Theo and just let loose, but there is also a real sense of pride and enjoyment when you spend a lot of time crafting it. Both songwriting schools appeal to me, and I continue to do both.
Wonderful Wild is a massively dark pop production. It’s not what you would expect, which is great. I like the thought of doing something new and the fact that I am ever evolving!
