Metronome #083: Arkham Knights

Insomniac’s Metronome series features mixes from some of today’s fastest-rising electronic stars, as well as championed legends. It takes listeners deep across a wide range of genres, movements, cultures, producers, artists and sounds that make up the diverse world of electronic music.

Leeds, UK, duo Arkham Knights have shared their love for trance since the late ‘90s, when dance music was at peak levels on that side of the world. They also share DNA. Brothers Ben and Stuart Turner latched on to trance early, yet it was only two years ago that they joined forces to create a fresh blend of uplifting melodies and hard-driving beats. Their dark and techy take on trance was the perfect fit for Markus Schulz’s Coldharbour Recordings, which the duo calls home. The label has spent the last few years establishing a stable of artists who collectively agree that trance can be aggressive and edgy, and as such, Arkham Knights fit the bill.

The siblings bring with them a near lifetime of experience in electronic music, and it’s this kind of perspective—combined with a feverish output of tunes and DJ mixes—that has pushed them to the top of the list as the next big stars in trance.

In their Metronome mix, Arkham Knights showcase the power of Coldharbour and the future sounds of trance.

How did you two discover dance music?
Stuart Turner: We’ve always had a passion for music. Our father was a big Pink Floyd fan, so we grew up listening to those guys. We loved the big synth intros of Floyd, and that really had a big part to play when trance came to the scene in the ‘90s. Tiësto was a big inspiration in the late ‘90s.

Not too many people peg their siblings as someone to work with. How did your collaboration start?
Stuart: I was a big trance fan in the late ‘90s, and I really wanted to understand the mechanics of DJing. I went out and bought my first turntables and practiced endlessly in my bedroom. Ben, being around 5 years old, would wander into my room and perch himself on my bed and nod his head to the music.

Ben Turner: I was more curious to how the tracks were put together and began producing around 10 years ago. Our passion for music fused, and we began working together.

You still seem very connected to your local scene in Leeds. How have you been received locally since you signed to Coldharbour?
Stuart: The Leeds Trance Family has been great; we get so much support from those guys. They are big Markus Schulz and Coldharbour fans, too. It’s great to see people taking the time to push the local scene, and we are always happy to help them.

Leeds has a strong DIY music scene. How has that shaped you as artists?
Stuart: [Since we were young], we’ve had friends that have been into the dance music scene. Some years ago, our friends even put on their own club nights, at which we played. Meeting like-minded people and sharing experiences—some good, some bad—have really played their part in where we are today.

You have a very techy aspect to your sound. Are there any techno artists who have inspired you?
Stuart: Oh, absolutely—we get a lot of inspiration from techno artists such as Adam Beyer, Enrico Sangiuliano, Cirez D, plus many more. The techno elements in our tracks are an important cog in the Arkham Knights trademark sound, so it’s always great to seek out inspiration from the techno corner of the dance spectrum.

Were both of you musically inclined growing up?
Stuart: Yes, music has always been a staple in our lives, be it the sounds of Pink Floyd whilst growing up, or early ‘90s dance music. We often say to each other, “What the hell would we do without music?”

What is the connection to Batman and your name?

Stuart: [laughs] The short version is: We needed an artist name that suits our dark sound. We tried a few out that never stuck. Both being fans of the Dark Knight himself since we were kids, we went with “Arkham Knights.” Some months later, the Batman: Arkham Knight game came out, and now we get tagged in gamer tweets, etc. [laughs].

Give us a few words about your Metronome mix.
Stuart: Pumping, packed with some Coldharbour gems that’re rocking it right now!

Track List:: Arkham Knights “Legacy”
Harry Square & Craig Townsend “Dark World”
Novaspace “Cygnus”
Nifra “Rebel”
Dave Neven “Counter Strike”
Solis & Sean Truby & Dan Thompson “Aero”
Solid Stone & Jennifer Rene “Pushing Up” (Arkham Knights Remix)
Harry Square “Fair & Square”
Mr. Pit “Tattoo”
Markus Schulz “Sestertius”
Arkham Knights “Knightfall”
Mauro Picotto & Ricardo Ferri “New Time New Place”