Years of mystique that fueled his growing following have led to the culmination of everything psych-rock artist Arc De Soleil has built up to with his debut album, Lumin Rain, out via Maison Arts. To celebrate, they will also be coming to North America in September, including a show in LA at the Fonda Theatre on Sept. 21.
Arc De Soleil initially arrived on the scene with an air of mystery similar to bands such as Khruangbin and Glass Beams. Daniel Kadawatha, the mind behind the project, already had a taste of the industry under his real name. However, the multi-instrumentalist and producer decided to let the music speak for itself, despite speculation surrounding its function and origin, in what would quickly become his most successful alias to date.
Long before the spotlight turned to Arc De Soleil and subsequent debut album, the Sri Lanka-born artist found himself growing up in Sweden around little music. However, when Kadawatha picked up the guitar at the age of 6, he soon delved into any and all forms of music he could get his hands on.
From there, Arc De Soleil would reflect his wide influences, whether it be the surf-rock guitar heard on “Sahara Cowboy” or the psychedelic funk that informed “Got Caught in Amsterdam,” his most popular song to date. Lumin Rain similarly shakes together these reference points and several others like a cocktail, threaded together through Kadawatha’s tried and true sun-tinged atmosphere.
“Lumin Rain is about catching a glimpse of what lies beyond the veil of ordinary life—beyond this physical reality—seeing into a space of pure light and a great fire,” said Kadawatha. “It was inspired by an accumulation of experiences, especially my first trip to Egypt.”
The album, which means light rain, washes over you with its funk grooves and lavish production that never ceases to show Kadawatha’s talents in the slightest. “Midnight In Saqqara” and “Sunchaser” flourish in their atmospheres, particularly during the former, which encapsulates the calm stillness of nighttime through a steady rhythm and soulful instrumentation.
In contrast, “Sunchaser” is the livelier of the two, never losing its bouncy, electric energy. Similarly, “Riders Of The Moon,” one of the full-length project’s singles, closes the album on an upbeat note that lets the guitar at the song’s core let loose with what feels like an impressive, never-ending solo.
No matter the song, it’s not hard to see why Lumin Rain, as well as Kadawatha’s discography thus far, has carved out a space for him in a corner of music that takes retro influences and repurposes them for the modern day.
Lumin Rain by Arc De Soleil is out on streaming services. For more on new music and tickets to upcoming shows, including an LA date at the Fonda Theatre on Sept. 21, follow him on Instagram and his website.
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