Interview With 'Plastic Barricades'
Firstly, introduce yourselves and tell us a little bit about the band and how you came to be?
Jonas: We are Plastic Barricades! We're a four piece indie rock band from London. The band was formed by Dan Kert, lead singer and guitar player, in Tallinn, Estonia, in 2007. It had several different members before relocating to London and reaching the pinnacle that is our current excellent line up. I've joined the band in the beginning of 2016.
What were you all up too prior to the band, was this always the chosen path or did you have other dreams and aspirations?
Jonas: I was playing guitar in other bands before joining PB. For me music was always there as something I wanted to do, apart from when i was very young when race car driving seemed very appealing.
Frazer: Dani (bass) and myself were studying at the ICMP (Institute of Contemporary Music Performance) in Kilburn where Dan was looking for musicians and long story short - he found us! Good job Dan! As for the chosen path part of your question... Yes, I've always wanted to be a drummer!
Tell us about your latest EP/Album and why our readers should check it out.
Frazer: Some of the songs are out now on iTunes, Spotify and etc and they are a great example of the band and its progression. We try to skirt that line between making things emotionally digestible and musically engaging, which is an exercise in insanity for sure. As for the rest of the album - we're working on it, we promise!
Have you ever come face to face with someone within the music scene who has left you awestruck and why?
Frazer: I've attended a drum camp called the "Drum Fantasy Camp" in USA several years in a row. Everyone who attends a week long event gets to have a full day masterclass with whoever is teaching that year as well as hang out with them and annoy them with endless questions. I've met Steve Smith (Journeys drummer and co-writer of "Don't Stop Believing") , Dave Weckl, Chris Coleman, Aaron Spears, Jojo Mayer and many more and every time I've met one of them and learned from them it was so surreal and intimidating but at the same time it was the most inspiring and worth while thing any drummer could do. Thank you, Mr Orkin, for the good times!. I also had the opportunity to briefly meet Mr Vic Firth himself who was before his passing the genius behind Vic Firth drum sticks, that was a huge honor and I couldn't believe I had the chance to shake his hand.
Also Jay Oliver... what a guy.
If we were to head out to one of your live shows what can ourselves and others expect?
Jonas: Well, hopefully you'd enjoy it! I think we present a pretty diverse set with some quirky sounds, video installations, stage decor and thoughtful lyrics and speeches, definitely not your usual Friday night gig fix!
Frazer: Every song we play has a story to it... Literally a short story or prologue. And because of this and the attention we pay to our set order it ends up being quite a fun journey that even after countless gigs with these songs.. I still look forward to taking.
If you had one artist/band that you could go on tour with tomorrow who would it be and why?
Jonas: For me it would be the jazz/hip hop band BADBADNOTGOOD, just because i love the music and i would love watching their shows every night. They're awesome and really talented musicians.
Frazer: Dave Matthews Band.. because they are stunning!
You can spend an hour with a musical icon living or dead, who would you pick, why and what would you speak about?
Jonas: For me it would have to be Jimi Hendrix as he's my musical hero and my biggest influence. And I would most likely just talk to him about guitar stuff.
Frazer: I would love to have the opportunity to speak to Buddy Rich who is still the most untouchable force in drumming history. He was just full of energy and could captivate you with a sheer command of the drums and his intensity. He's no longer alive which is a shame but it must have been an honor to pick the brain of the man behind the most unmatched drumming prowess.
And finally and most importantly is Die Hard a Christmas Movie?
Jonas: Obviously! Yippee ki yay!
Frazer: Yes?... No? I dunno, but a great movie to get the eyes leaking and the feels feeling for the years end!
Check out their video for 'Around The Sun'
Website - http://www.plasticbarricades.eu
