We caught up with Arya from multi-award-winning titans Skindred ahead of their huge Liverpool gig at The Olympia on Friday 25th October.
As part of Skindred’s Smile UK tour, the Welsh metal/reggae innovators are stopping by Liverpool with their new album, which has received praise for perhaps being their finest work to date.
Smile topped multiple charts in 2023 with incredible support from the rock and metal community, including messages of support from Metallica, Rage Against The Machine, and Disturbed, as well as Kerrang!, NME, and Louder publications. We chat with Arya about what they’ve been up to and what to expect from the epic Liverpool show.
What have you been up to recently?
We have been doing the summer festivals in Europe with some shows in Japan thrown into the mix! Glastonbury to Japan was a trip! Currently we’re sat on a plane coming home from Bulgaria where we have just played with Korn so life is good and busy!
What can we expect from the Liverpool gig in October? Mostly the latest album or some of the big hitters from over the years too?
There will be a good mix of old and new. If you have seen us at a festival or when we have supported that’s the trailer for the main event! Headlining we get to take the audience along with us on our unique journey through all our albums.
How would you describe Smile for those who haven’t yet heard the new album?
I feel like it’s a greatest hits album but material that you’ve never heard! It has everything you expect from us but I feel the songwriting has stepped up and allowed us to deliver some of our best work.
How did it feel to receive praise and support from the likes of Rage Against The Machine and Metallica for the album?
Whenever you get praise from anyone it feels good but to get praise from iconic artists whose music and attitude has helped shape the band is mindblowing. We were so humbled and grateful for all the kind words and support that came from other artists about Smile. It’s really made this album feel so special.
Would you say this is your best and most successful album to date?
It certainly feels that way at the moment. The album has been out for a year and we have done so much in this last year. I really think the world was ready to hear what we had to say. I feel like our fans were rooting for us, and it helped we delivered what we all thought was a banger of an album.
When you release such a successful album like that is there a big pressure to try to live up to it with the next release?
There has always been pressure to deliver, weather that’s live or on record and that just spurs us on. This album wasn’t an overnight success and we have had 20+ years to think about having a record do well, so we just want to enjoy it while we can. Heads down and crack on.
When was the last time you played in our city? Any special memories from playing here over the years?
We love Liverpool and it’s been a while that we have done a full show here. Last time we was at the Academy with Raging Speedhorn and we had an amazing time, but we actually played an acoustic show this time last year at The Cavern for the album release. It was a very special night as when we played we were actually number one one in the Charts. We really feel Liverpool has grown with us. Everytime we play here it’s bigger and better than before.
What have been your standout memories and achievements during your career? Any particularly special gigs?
I’m lucky that there have been so many. Playing live on Late Night talk shows in America, doing Jools Holland last year, heading Download 2nd Stage, winning a Mobo and Headlining Wembley Arena for the 1st time this year are all up there!
What are your secrets of success for lasting 25 years as a band?
Don’t split up!
And finally, Skindred’s plans for the future following this tour?
Hopefully lots more touring. We are aiming to go to places we have never been next year. Touring to me is the reward for being in a band. Playing and meeting people from all over the world is a real blessing and I’m hoping we can keep rolling for a very long time.
You can book your Skindred tickets here.
