Eager to keep the party going even though summer has ended? Look no further than dance duo AR/CO’s latest offering, Night Feels.

The song itself is a lush and euphoric ode to the pure joy of living for the moment and if you haven’t heard of the London-based dance duo before, it makes for the perfect introduction to AR/CO’s unique and electronica-filled world. Comprised of vocalists and songwriters Leo Stannard & Mali-Koa, AR/CO fit between Daft Punk’s sophisticated approach to electronic music and MGMT’s maximalist production qualities, whilst also managing to craft tunes that are completely distinctive. The duo have already received support from Radio 1, Sir Elton John, Radio DJ Gemma Bradley, and started to collaborate with other artists within the dance music scene.

To celebrate the release of Night Feels, AR/CO sat down with the pair to discuss what happens at a songwriting camp, their bucket list, and more.

Hi Leo and Mali-koa, thanks for speaking with 1883. Can you tell us about your new single Night Feels? How long did it take to write the track and the video looked so fun… 

M: We had a true Lady Gaga moment, and wrote this banger in an hour. Total of 3 hours to cut the vocals and have it feeling good.

L: The music video we dodged rain clouds and grey skies to get something that felt light and bright and eccentric. Theres a slice of organised chaos in there, and we love it. 

You both first met a couple of years before you started AR/CO, at an Australian songwriting camp in London. For anyone who doesn’t know, what happens at a songwriting camp and what can you recall from that particular writing session?

M: Imagine speed dating for musicians. A bunch of talented writers and producers get thrown into rooms together to write songs. We were in one together for the first time and it wasn’t like there was a lightbulb moment, we left that room with a song we never heard again and didn’t see each other till a year later.

L: We got on well though and liked each others vibe from the get go. Also in another twist of fate, the producer who was in that room with us Thomas Harrington Rawle – ended up being our now creative director. That was a good room in the end for us! Universe is on board!

Following on from that session, when did you both decide ‘okay, let’s start an artist project together’?

M: We had no idea we’d be living in each other’s pockets, if you’d said that to us a couple years ago we would’ve probably been like “that’s so random”. L:When the music started coming together we’d been writing for other artists a while, and just stumbled on the AR/CO magic that felt more like us then anyone else. It was probably a good year and a half after, we were taking it seriously as an artist thing probably from mid-2021. 

Outside of AR/CO, you’re both well-accomplished songwriters, Leo you have worked with the likes of KC Lights, Camelphat, and Michael Calfan for example. Mali-koa, you’ve written for G-Eazy, Sigma, and JP Cooper, to name a few. So what is it that you both get from working on AR/CO tracks that you don’t get when you write for other acts? And does your approach to songwriting change at all when working on different artist projects?

L: There’s something easy and infectious about us writing the AR/CO stuff. Writing for others is just as fun, but you’re coming at it from the outside instead. Joining someone else to channel their story. Our stuff there’s less limitations and we can sorta shape how it sounds and the crazy AR/CO world to match. 

Playing the venue Red Rocks in Nevada is on your bucket list but what else is on there? 

M: We’re big manifesters, we write everything down and have done it sort of remember our goal posts as they move. We’re sorta testing the universe, like “damn ok!!! let’s see u make this happen”.

L: A lot of great stuff has happened for us, we’d love to tour a bunch in the new year and support a North American act. Unfortunately, we’re still yet to be invited to Chris Martin’s house to write a song with him so we gotta keep you guys posted. 

We need to talk about your forthcoming headline show at The Camden Assembly on October 26th. What should fans expect and do you have any pre-show rituals?

M: Pre-rituals include saying HWFG to each other over and over, before we stumble on stage like rockstars.

L: Probably do some front rolls and force someone to separate blue and green mnm’s for our rider. No…we’re quite chilled to be honest. 

This taster show is gonna be so special, we’re hoping to bring the AR/CO world to life on a small scale through the music and design of it all. 

Tell us your dream collaboration list…

Caribou 

Gorillaz

Tame impala 

Jamie XX 

Mark Ronson 

James Blake 

As it’s been a busy year, what’s been one of your main highlights so far?

L: Performing with Franky at All Points East in a big old tent. It’s like we’d forgotten after the last few years how good it feels to be on a stage in front of thousands (not sure how many exactly, but it felt like a lot). 

Finally, is there anything exciting on the 2023 horizon that you can share with us? 

M: Next year we want people to be immersed in AR/CO world so we’ll keep building little event pockets everywhere and hopefully get people coming through to have a good time and dance. More songs, more live shows!

Night Feels is out now.  Follow AR/CO @wearearco

Interview by Cameron Poole