Gohan Records :: Arkitekt

Originating from Limerick and Oxford respectively, Noel Hogan and Richard Walters' new project, Arkitekt, represents a remarkable meeting of musical minds. Together, they blend a wealth of talent, experience and musical wisdom to create a collection of awe-inspiring, heart-stopping tracks.

The pair met while former Cranberries guitarist and songwriter Hogan was recording his debut solo project, Mono Band. While looking for vocalists to collaborate with on the new project, he was sent a demo by the former Theremin singer, Walters. The rest, as they say, is history.

Richard Walters

Arkitekt vocalist, Richard Walters, has enjoyed a colourful musical history. Born and raised in Oxford, the former English Literature student experienced his first real foray into the world of music as lead vocalist for the Warner Publishing signed Theremin. At the same time, the singer and lyricist set up his own label and club night called 'Beard Museum'; where he invited local Oxford bands to play.

From there, Walters decided to take the solo route and signed with the management team responsible for both Radiohead and Supergrass. It was at this point that Walters and Hogan collaborated for the first time on three Mono Band tracks, Waves, Home and Indecisive.

Along the way, a chance meeting in 2005 between Walters and Bernard Butler (Suede, McAlmont & Butler, The Tears) at the Oxegen Music Festival in Ireland, and an introduction by Hogan, led to a working partnership between Butler and Walters on Walters' debut solo recording, At the Sea.

Word travelled fast and Walters' music quickly appeared on the highly influential American radio show Morning Becomes Eclectic and, from there, onto an episode of the hit CBS show CSI Miami. Shortly after this Walters released his debut solo EP, Pilot’s Light, and the single Brittle Bones, released early in 2008.

Noel Hogan's Mono Band

After 13 years of touring and recording with the Cranberries, Noel Hogan was still driven to create new and inventive music when the band decided to take an extended break in 2003. Hogan to set up his own studio in his home town of Limerick City and put to work the experience gained over many years of recording with world-renowned producers.

This new space and Hogan's understanding of music production led the musician to both produce work for local Limerick bands and also to start work on his own solo project. Together with programmer/producer Matt Vaughan (XTC, Alabama 3), Hogan created a new sound in the form of the debut solo album Mono Band.

While writing and producing the music for the the album himself, Hogan decided to recruit a diverse group of singers to collaborate on vocals and lyrics for the individual songs on the album, including Swedish Singer Alexandra Hamnede, Kate Havnevik, Angie Hart of Australian band, Frente, Nicolas Leroux from French band, Overkill and Richard Walters. From this initial collaboration on Mono Band it was clear to both Hogan and Walters that the collaboration should continue.

Arkiekt Album Due For Release 2009

The raison d'être of Arkitekt was simple; it gave these two like-minded musicians, the opportunity to create music on an equal footing. The pairing combines a wealth of experience and talent to create masterpieces of haunting, heart-stopping vocals and warm, personal lyrics, with lush guitars and masterful electronic styling.

Due for release in 2009, the debut album from Arkitekt features the immediately captivating single 14 Days, and a collaboration with Bernard Butler on the deeply enchanting song Black Hair. To coincide with the release of their album, the band is planning a worldwide tour.

Music & Podcast

• 14 Days (Radio Edit) (mp3 Preview Direct Link)
• Pacing (Acoustic version) (mp3 Preview Direct Link)
• Black Hair (mp3 Preview Direct Link)
• Night's End (mp3 Preview Direct Link)
• Breathe (mp3 Preview Direct Link)
• Podcast with Noel & Richard(mp3 Preview Direct Link)