The Arrows have been making a steady wave front in the live music scene and on the airwaves, as they have begun their quest to spread the light and take their music to every ear that they can bend. Late in 2007, they released their debut EP and embarked on what amounted to a long national touring circuit for most of 2008 and 2009 by playing renowned SA festivals and gigs like Splashy Fen and Oppikoppi. Spanning over December 2009 and January 2010 The Arrows will have embarked on their first international tour, playing in LA, New York, Connecticut, Houston (Texas) and Paris (France).
This quirky duo create an atmosphere of thumpingly evangelical euphoria whenever they hit the stage with the powerful vocals of Pam de Menezes, who fronts the band on keys and synths, joined by her partner in crime, Christie Desfontaine, who punishes the drum skins with dramatic intensity.
“Being in a duo is very liberating,” says Pam. “After working with a variety of musicians, a duo allows us to be freer with our sound and we can incorporate what we need for different expressions as we go along. It helps to keep things fresh. We can just play with different musicians around the country and add whatever feels right for each show or for each wave of inspiration. It keeps our fans guessing which is fun! But the songs are king so they can always count on that.”
This Durban-based duo’s sound is almost impossible to pigeonhole, incorporating as it does edgy pop, electro-acoustic dance and jazz into an eclectic, mesmeric assault on the senses.
“We love the live element of what we do,” says Christie, drummer-lady of this zesty collaboration. “We love to see people respond to the music - in their faces and in their feet! The songs are all a matter of the heart, which is ultimately the electricity that brings the music to life.”
Along with a full endorsement from YAMAHA, The Arrows will be releasing their highly anticipated full-length album, ‘Make Believe,’ early in 2010. This hard-working and extremely talented group are looking forward to the release of this album upon their return from the USA, and are excited about the prospects of their future in SA and abroad. You can keep up to date with what’s happening in the life of The Arrows by checking out myspace/thearrowssa and thearrowsband