The Auckland-based quartet Coast Arcade is more than just a band; it's a testament to how creative differences, shared history, and unwavering friendship can forge a truly compelling rock sound. The band—featuring Bella (Vocals), Thom (Guitar), Arlo (Guitar), and Leo (Bass/Writer)—has evolved from indie surf-rock beginnings into a powerhouse defined by gritty post-hardcore rhythms and irresistible pop hooks.
In a comprehensive interview, Leo, the band's bassist, shares the chaotic, inspiring, and deeply human story behind Coast Arcade, their battle with "tall poppy syndrome," and their ambitious plans for their self-titled debut album.
The musical foundations of Coast Arcade are wonderfully varied. Arlo started (and remains) an "insane jazz guitarist," while Leo grew up navigating the technicality of "classical piano." Meanwhile, Bella and Thom were rocking out to '90s classics before they could even walk.
For Leo, the definitive spark arrived nearly a decade ago: "What really lit the spark was hearing 'Should I Stay or Should I Go' by The Clash for the first time when Stranger Things first came out." He feels that moment was his singlehanded gateway into guitar music, altering the course of his future.
The band itself came together through an intricate process. Bella and Thom originally "kicked things off back in high school," with Leo and Arlo joining later. Leo describes the group dynamic: Arlo is the "wizard of the band," always offering wisdom and technical help, particularly when finding the key of a song. Thom is their "cheeky little prankster" who always brings "a good vibe and a crazy groove." Bella "mans the ship," serving as the emotional anchor who reminds the band of their shared collective dream. Leo concludes that the common love for music and playing live "with our best mates" is the singular force that brings them all together.
Coast Arcade’s current sound is a deliberate hybrid. Their individual influences are a fascinating mix: Thom was big on Foo Fighters, Bella loved The Beths, Arlo listened to Midwest emo acts like TTNG, and Leo was (and still is) heavily influenced by '90s powerhouses like Deftones and Nirvana.
This eclectic background is their songwriting superpower. Leo notes it has "worked out in our favour" because they are "always bringing in different ideas" they would never have thought of alone, keeping things fresh.
The band started off in an indie surf rock direction, but everything shifted once Bella and Leo started writing together again. Bella initiated the change with the song Baited, prompting Leo to write City Limits, pushing things into a grittier direction. Newer tracks like ‘Cycles’ and the album’s lead single ‘Greener’ have strong post-hardcore and shoegaze DNA.
One thing has remained absolutely consistent: "Bella’s knack for a bloody good hook." Leo emphasises that her isolated vocal melodies "could easily be from a pop song," but in context, they are delivered over a massive "wall of sound" and loud drums. The goal is always to write music that has "a real edge to it while also being something that you can sing along to."
The band's creative process is a constant blend of individual style and collaborative chaos. Ideas usually start from an idea Leo or Bella had been working on independently, which then "often complement each other in just the right way." Leo often writes something heavy, and Bella adds catchy vocal melodies over it (as in Cycles), or vice-versa. Their lead single ‘Greener’ was a combination of riffs and ideas that Leo and Arlo had written independently that "just so happened to fit together perfectly."
The personal side of the band is a universal challenge of young adulthood. Bella is devoting all her time to the project, while Thom is getting into production work and working in a pie shop. Arlo is teaching guitar, and Leo is finishing up a psychology degree. Balancing this dream with personal responsibilities has been difficult, but the knowledge that this is what they "want to do no matter what" is their sustaining force. Leo stresses the importance of their dynamic: "We’re not afraid to be vulnerable and lift each other up, and that’s so, so important."
The band agrees that their proudest moment was their Australian Tour last month. Playing internationally for the first time and seeing Australian fans "stick around after our set to chat and grab photos" was a humbling and magical experience. Their worst gig, however, came during a soundcheck a couple of years ago, when the sound guy "thought that it’d be a good idea to scream—full blast—into Bella’s mic because she ‘wasn’t projecting enough’," resulting in a painful memory for their eardrums.
On stage, Leo embodies his heroes by trying to channel the presence and energy of bassists like Melissa Auf der Maur (Smashing Pumpkins/Hole) and the late Chi Cheng (Deftones). He physically demonstrates this by wearing his bass "as low as humanly possible," making it impossible for him to stand still.
Their favourite song to perform live is 'Acetone,' because "it goes incredibly hard at every show and is so fun to play." Leo also has a moment during the lead single ‘Greener’ that makes him go "completely feral on stage."
Coast Arcade is pragmatic about the state of the industry. They admit they "don’t usually like to reflect on the negative," but they note the persistent issue of "tall poppy syndrome" in New Zealand and Australia, where they faced backlash for pursuing music passionately. However, they feel this was "super character-building" and made them more determined.
When it comes to the internet, they see it as a "mix of both." They acknowledge the frustration that comes with having to use social media, but they also view it as "one of the most powerful marketing tools we’ve ever had." The biggest challenge is learning how to stand out in the "saturated space" when everyone is fighting for the same attention.
Their dream picks reflect their sound's dichotomy: opening for Deftones would be an "absolute dream" (a heavy influence), while opening for Paramore would make their lives complete (a pop-punk influence). They are also excited to be playing on the same lineup as Turnstile this summer, noting it would be "so sick to work with" them.
What’s Next
The band’s future is packed with new material. Their self-titled debut album is dropping on October 17th, with vinyl and CDs available for preorder. They are kicking off their album support tour in a few weeks, starting in Auckland on October 24th.
Leo’s final message to their growing fanbase is one of sincere gratitude: "Every bit of support from you means the world to us! It cannot be overstated how insane it feels to know that there are people on the other side of the world resonating with songs that we wrote in our bedrooms on random nights. None of this would’ve been possible without your support!!" He urges fans to catch their Auckland headline show, especially the person he wants to tell his crush: "Tell your crush to come to your band’s Auckland Headliner Show on the 24th of October (and that tickets are selling fast, so they should buy them quick)."