Stebbing band Arcane Moon celebrate debut EP release

The band was formed by drummer Matt Hinton and guitarist Josh McDowall, who met in January 2023 while playing in another band.

After the group disbanded, Matt and Josh started writing songs together in May that same year.

Matt said: "We connected really well and had great chemistry.

Arcane Moon playing at Dunmow Carnival (Image: Dunmow Carnival) "I had a very classical music education – all the grades, orchestras, choir, big band and the formality.

"Josh had none of that – his talent is intuitive. He will play a really interesting chord without knowing what it is.

"That’s how musically we both brought something a little bit different."

The pair eventually found a bass player - Joe Holms - who introduced them to vocalist and keyboard player Scott Mitchell.

Explaining how they found their band name, Matt said: "It took us over six months to get to the name. There are a few things that informed it.

"One of our song writing themes is light in the darkness, which also corresponds to the moon being a light in the dark.

"A lot of our lyrics also have that theme, or are quite dark but with an upbeat feel.

"There’s a double meaning to some of our lyrics. The messaging is a bit cryptic – that’s where Arcane came from."

The band's logo also features moon glyph symbols, which contain hidden meanings.

Arcane Moon's logo (Image: Arcane Moon) Arcane Moon's first single, 'Three Little Words', has been played on radio stations more than 500 times around the world.

They followed it up with their second single, 'Echoes', on October 18, which is about the "continuous effect we make on this world and beyond, both as individuals and as a collective".

Their debut EP, Ellipsis, will be released on Friday, November 8, and features six original songs - including feature song 'Hello Sun' - and a seventh which is a radio edit.

"The word ellipsis (or three dots) refers to words which have been left unsaid," Matt said. "It could imply there is more to come…"

The EP was recorded at Threecircles Recording Studio just outside of Saffron Waldon, near Carver Barracks, with the help of producer Adrian Hare.

Matt said: "It was a brilliant experience.

"Adrian had a lovely feel for the musicality. He had some lovely, wonderful contributions and as a technician he had this phenomenal command of the hardware in the studio.

"He was just a super encouraging, positive, enthusiastic personality. I’d really recommend him to any other local musicians."

READ MORE

• Helena Romanes School to change name after moving to new building
• Thaxted land with consent for travellers' site sold at auction

The band spent the summer playing several gigs, and say they want to attract a greater local following.

In July they performed their debut gig at Hot Box in Chelmsford, which sold out.

Matt said: "That was a brilliant start.

"We played five or six festivals in Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk, and then moved towards the recording."

Ellipsis will be available on Spotify, iTunes and Apple Music, and you can follow Arcane Moon on Instagram, Facebook and X.