Four Friends, a Shed, and a Dream - This is the Story of Arcy Drive.

By Meghan Connors

A couple weeks ago I decided to step entirely out of my comfort zone and go see a live show by a band I found on TikTok only a few days before. The show was a hit, the band was just as cool as the internet portrayed, and watching them was like stepping into a movie about four friends on the verge of stardom. As the show went on, I thought, “this stuff doesn’t actually happen, does it? I have to know more.” 

After the show I spoke with the members of Arcy Drive, and they agreed to sit down with me and answer all of my most pressing questions. 

Nick, Austin, Pat, and Brooke. Four friends who, if asked a few years ago about their future in music, probably wouldn’t have answered too seriously. It all started over a mindless conversation between Nick, their soon to be singer / guitar player, and Austin, also on guitar, talking about their secret musical talents, and joking about the idea of starting a band. Things became more serious when (the band’s drummer) Brooke’s name was mentioned. The idea of a girl drummer initially seemed unconventional to the boys, but soon enough they realized what a great addition she’d make. After playing a few shows together, things became clear: Arcy Drive needed a bass player. So, Austin reached out to his friend overseas and asked him to pick up a bass guitar and start learning. Pat, already a fan of the band, did as he was asked and once he returned home, as Austin put it,“exceeded expectations.” And thus, Arcy Drive was complete. 

The name came next, an ode to the street where they got their start, and would eventually put on their first performance. They spoke of the shed in Brooke’s Arcy Drive backyard: a tiny space that fit a full drum set, leaving just enough room for the other members to squeeze in. “We called ourselves a shed-rock band, because that’s the roots - at Arcy Drive.” However, the members happily consider “Arcy Drive” up for interpretation. They shared a laugh as they recounted the different theories they’ve heard about their name. “Some believe it’s a theoretical drive, others think it’s a remote control car, and some think ‘arcy’ is a descriptive word.” Every member had a different story to tell. 

“We had big ideas but we just wanted to have fun doing it.” Nick, the band’s singer explained. The group could not contain their smiles as they spoke of their initial goal when starting out, “to play our local bar, Gunther’s” Though they have yet to play the Northport Dive, and would definitely love to one day fulfill that dream, the band has since realized that now, “we have a little more potential than we ever thought.” 

When asked about the future of the band, things took a more serious turn. Nick, a student at SUNY Maritime will soon be shipping out to complete his license. Until then it will be a race against the clock for the band to record as much content as they can. Their plan will be to release new, original songs on Youtube periodically, until Nick’s return, “so people have something to listen to while we’re not together.” When asked why they had chosen Youtube over another streaming service, Austin explained “our live sound is what we want to be heard.” These “live sessions” will be an opportunity for the band to give their audience an “aesthetically pleasing” experience, and provide the “raw” sound they believe defines them. 

As for the direction of their music, the band agreed they’re still figuring things out, citing influences like Mac Demarco, but ultimately determining that they’re still building their sound and don’t have a clear idea yet of how to describe it as it changes with every song they write. 

It would have been wrong to leave the interview at that, I needed to ask about the Tik Tok. When I asked, the boys all dropped their heads, and Brooke quickly came forward, clarifying that the TikTok account was her idea. She said that the boys made their first video under her convincing, (the boys wanted to get their name out in the world in more of a grass-roots sort of way) and realize now that it was the right move after all. “I downloaded [TikTok] just so I could like our own videos,” Pat said and was met by chuckles of agreement.

(On the success of their TikTok videos) “It was very gratifying because we all come from very driven backgrounds.” Austin reflected on their newfound fame.  “Where my driver’s at?” Brooke was quick to chime in. 

When I offered the members an opportunity to give closing remarks, one of the boys spoke up. He wanted the world to know, “we’re hard on Brooke but we all love her.” In even a short conversation with Arcy Drive, things are clear: this band is driven, talented, and made of members that really do love and respect one another. What more could a band need? They were funny, charming, and seemed to have a really good plan for what’s to come. I for one, can’t wait to see how far they go. 

Related Articles: From the Screen to the Stage - Arcy Drive is a band to Watch.