After hearing ‘Seven Twelve’, I was keen to learn more about a UK based artist called ARCAS AND THE BEAR who melds many styles to create his unique and captivating sound. Read on to learn about how he got involved in the music scene, the acts that helped to steer him and what era he’d travel to in a time machine….
You are ‘Arcas and the Bear’, please explain where the name originated and its meaning…
it comes from Greek mythology. Zeus’s lover, Callisto, was transformed into a bear by a jealous Hera. Her son Arcas, was a famed hunter and killed her as she charged towards him, excited to see her son again. Zeus placed them both in the sky as Ursa Major (Mother Bear/Callisto) and Ursa Minor (Little Bear/Arcas).
Would you say that you grew up in a musical house? If so, what was being played when you were growing up?
I’m the youngest of 6, there was always music playing. From my parents I took The Beatles, Queen (Dad) and Beach Boys (Mum). From my siblings I got 80s pop, Madchester, Grunge and Garage. I leaned into rock and indie and singer songwriter stuff. The elder of my brothers introduced me to Jon Hopkins and Boards of Canada. It took me a long time to enjoy non-guitar based music.
Was there one act or artist that turned you on to creating your own music? Are you still a fan?
Nirvana and Green Day inspired some friends and I to try and write music. I started on drums but wanted to write and sing. So, I took to playing guitar and writing songs the moment I could put two chords together, inspired by The Beatles and Oasis. As my music-making continued, Tom McRae, Joseph Arthur and Elbow were huge influences on my style and approach. I still listen to them all now.
Your latest track “Seven Twelve” marks a shift away from your ambient and meditative work — what sparked the move into a more sample‑led, beat‑driven direction?
I started playing around with electronic music in 2020 and really learned by doing. Releasing pretty frequently during covid. Some of that music is BAD, but I played with samples, my own beats, etc.... That culminated in Stage one: Complete in 2024, essentially an anthology of the best bits of that period.
I closed that chapter, as I’d been running low on creative steam and was indulging in some simple, meditation orientated music.
This December (2025), I sat down, tried not to over think and started to play, relying on samples more than I had in the past and manipulating them to create something I enjoyed.
You’ve said “life has kept me quiet for a while” — what was happening behind the scenes, and did it shape the sound of this new single?
The last few years have been challenging for my family, it’s part of why the creative juices dried up a bit, I just didn’t have the capacity for it. It didn’t directly shape the sound, but the track is representative of where I was at, looking for something short, cohesive and with some of the elements I enjoyed most in electronic music making.
Milton Keynes isn’t always the first-place people think of when talking about electronic music — how has the local scene influenced you, and what does creativity look like where you’re from?
A lot of this electronic adventure comes from isolation and changes that Covid bought across the UK in the early part of this decade. Less time spent at open mics, watching friends’ bands and playing in my band setup (my folk project Starlings and Sparrows).
How would you explain the music scene in Milton Keynes? Do you have to travel in order to check out good live music?
Milton Keynes has always done punk and metal very well. As a teenager who wanted to play alternative acoustic music it was tricky! But there are some seriously good venues and promoters in the area representing a diverse array of music, Craufurd Arms, MK11, Unit 9, and some very well established open mics like The Sunset Lounge.
Your influences — Boards of Canada, Aphex Twin and Jon Hopkins all have distinct sonic fingerprints, how do those inspirations show up in your work without overshadowing your own voice/input?
I think they show up in the overall vibes of the music. It also gives me confidence to lean into darker sounds or space in a song.
You’ve been releasing music as Arcas and the Bear since 2020. Looking back, what do you think has changed most about your approach or your sound?
I spend a lot more time thinking about where new elements need to come in.
Do you have a set formula when creating a track?
Not the best answer, but no, not necessarily. Find something that I like or vibe with whether it is a sample or instrument and run from there.
Please share some information on the kit/equipment you use to create your music.
I’m running Ableton on a Window’s Laptop and my Bose headphones. I haven’t used my Focusrite interface for a while but it’s a trusted bit of kit. I’ve played with various other bells and whistles, but right now I’m keeping it simple.
“Seven Twelve” came together quickly in your home studio. What does your recording process usually look like, and how do you know when a track is ‘done’?
To be honest I work on 2 things, 1. What ideas do I have left for this track and 2. How is it flowing.
You’re the sole creative force behind the project — do you ever collaborate with others, or is the solitude part of what makes Arcas and the Bear what it is?
I’ve collaborated in the past, co-written lyrics or songs with friends and family. With AATB it’s very much an endeavour in solitude.
Is Arcas and the Bear your first project or have you released material under any other names previously? Were there others involved?
Starlings and Sparrows was my indie folk project, a rolling line up of musicians having fun at various gigs, food festivals and open mics. Most frequently my brother Rich (Rise Bailey Rise) joining. There’s only one studio song out there “Lightning Boy”, I keep meaning to put together a mini-album of the best material but time is a factor.
If you were offered the chance to host your own festival, which 3 headline acts would you have? Please explain the reasons why you’d choose these acts/artists
I don’t want go for tons of electronic stuff, but Bon Iver would be top of the list for most events. Always blows me away. I’d probably pair that with Jon Hopkins and Boards of Canada if I could. But I do go to a lot of metal and hardcore shows, so would love to have a small sweaty venue with Touche Amore and Better Lovers before Slipknot.
Space and space travel seem to be recurring themes in your music. What draws you to those ideas, and how do they shape the emotional tone of your tracks?
AATB started during Covid and I wanted to use the project to explore sounds I never could with a stringed instrument. I was reading about different mythologies at the time and reflecting a lot given lockdowns etc.
If time travel was possible which year would you travel back to and what would be your purpose there?
Two different things jump to mind. 1. Go to the Jurassic era and just see what the world was like. 2. London during the age of enlightenment, to feel the energy and conflict of idea.
Are there any artists — past or present — you’d love to collaborate with if the stars aligned?
I’d love to do some more with my brother. It’s not where life or creativity is aligned right now, but I have had some really fun evenings creating with him.
I see that you have been busy and already released a new EP in January 26’ titled ‘Ambience’ Vol. 2’, do you tend to pace your releases out over the year or are you more productive during certain months?
I tend to create in bursts. How long that lasts I don’t know. I have another single ‘between’ lined up for 1st February. I also have a couple more tracks close to completion, so the flurry may continue for a while.
As 2026 opens up, what can listeners expect next — more releases, live shows, festival appearances, or something completely different?
I’m hoping to keep a regular run of releases over the year. That would be great for me personally as well as creatively.
Are there musicians from your local area that you’d like to shout out? Any that we should be keeping an eye on?
I’ve mentioned him, but Rise Bailey Rise.
Best places to keep up to date with your musical movements on the socials?
I’ve not done well with socials for AATB, but I am trying to be a bit more present on instagram, Tik Tok and FB.
Lastly, the one that EVERYONE wants to know…..what’s your favourite cheese and how do you take it? Crackers, chutney, crusty bread? We need details!
I’m a bit of a cheese wuss, and generally keep it extra mature cheddar generally, BUT baked Camembert and crusty warm bread for the win.
We’d like to thank Dan for chatting to us and wish him every success in the future. To keep up with his musical exploits, head to the socials (links below).
