Having released his debut album, Calm Down, earlier this year through Bella Union, and then returned for a UK tour and appearance at Green Man Festival, we caught back up with Texas native, Ari Roar – real name Caleb Campbell – to find out what’s been making him tick since he was last over in the UK.

Some of my favourite records would be…

Revolver by The Beatles

From the moment I heard it as a young teenager I become obsessed with it. The gritty, psychedelic production with super catching upbeat songs opened up a world of possibilities for me.

You Forgot It In People by Broken Social Scene.

This was another album I heard first as an early teenager. I spent so much time with this cd never leaving my car.  It’s one of those perfect albums on the whole. When the last song fades out and the first song fades in on the repeat, I’m always down for another go.

Homeshake Tape by Homeshake

This is more of a recent addition for me.  I never listen to just one song from this record. It’s always the whole thing from start to finish.  Some of the best songwriting I’ve come across. The mixing of the record is so accessible too. Nothing over done.  Sometimes I think what it might be like to remix one of the songs but then I realise the way they are is the reason they work so much.  The chord progressions are so swooning and enticing. Just amazing.

I don’t really have a favourite book, but one that I read recently was The Martian by Andy Weir.

If you ever get a chance to read it, it puts the movie to shame. So much science and detail went into this thing. The stakes feel so high throughout the book since he’s so vulnerable and so many things go wrong that require him to think his way out of. The book does such a good job of making you feel the weight of it. I couldn’t put it down.

One of my favourite movies is There Will Be Blood by Paul Thomas Anderson.

I’ve seen it a dozen times and it never ceases to mesmerise me. I love the slow steady unraveling pace of the story. The performances are so strong and grounded in reality.  The score also perfectly accompanies the characters in their most dire of moments.  I can never look away. Something about this movie just speaks to me.

A favourite song of mine would have to be Calvary Scars / Aux ll by Deerhunter.

I usually go for short and catchy tunes but for this I think a long soothing track feels like the best choice. I love the way this song envelopes you.  It creeps under your skin then feels like a warm blanket. Gorgeous. Powerful. Leaves me in the best of moods after it’s over.  The lyrics have this hypnotic effect as well.

Oh and my favourite TV show is Star Trek – The Next Generation

…because obviously it’s the best.

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