Today I’d like to introduce you to indie/alternative rock duo Plastic Barricades. In this interview, I speak to drummer and producer Paul Love about the band’s musical style, influencers and sharing his emotions through music.
Band Name: Plastic Barricades
Members: Dan Kert (vocals, guitars) & Paul Love (drums, production)
Genre: indie rock/alt rock
Founded: Sept 2007
Location: London, UK & Paris, France
Discography: Mechanics of Life(LP), Tree of Ideas (EP) & Optimist (single)
How would you describe your music?
Romantic and honest, gloomy and curious, melodic and melancholic, Plastic Barricades chronicle life in the troubled yet fascinating XXI century, asking questions and trying to find answers.
What is your musical creative process like?
Dan writes in his shed at the bottom of his garden in North West London. Sometime we jam out some musical ideas, we’ll record a verse or chorus and then he adds a melody and lyric afterwards and we go from there.
Other times he’ll have the song ready to go and I’ll produce it up, add drums, synths and BVs and then we mix. We used to mix in his shed too, but now I do it from my home studio in Paris.
We do everything except mastering ourselves. We wanted our new album Self-Theories to be a representation of ourselves and the inconsistencies and imperfections of the DIY approach, we believe, are a part of that.
How did the band form?
Dan formed the band when he was back in Tallinn over 12 years ago and it’s gone through various permutations since then (and a Spinal Tap number of drummers).
Dan and I started working together about 18 months ago when it got in touch after us not seeing each other for around 5 years. We met when he came to rehearse at my old studio in Dollis Hill. It was good timing. I was getting fed up with being a hired gun session musician and he was fed up of using hired gun session musicians, so we were pretty ready for a close musical relationship.
How did you come up with your band name?
It was given to us by Admiral Hyde Parker II during a seance in Bron-Yr-Aur underneath a waxing gibbous moon. He’s yet to collect his debt.
Who influenced you within the music industry?
Growing up in Liverpool and being named Paul I bet you can guess that the biggest influence on me growing up was… Cilla Black! In my teens it was Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Weezer, Zappa, Led Zeppelin, Radiohead, Oasis, Coldplay, Muse, Death Cab for Cutie, Placebo, Snow Patrol, The Shins and many others.
My very biggest influence has been my friend and mentor, James Earp. He taught how to really give a song colour and depth. Wonderful bloke. I can’t say enough good things about him and he finally got his first top ten 10 hit when he wrote Bruises with Lewis Capaldi last year. So proud of him!
Have you performed live much and what was your favourite gig to play at?
I’ve been performing since I was 13. I’ve done more gigs than I can remember. Had some great times. Dan and I haven’t played a gig together yet though. We’re in a more Steely Dan position where we want to get the record right and we’ll have to figure out a live band when we get to it.
It’s just the two of us working in the studio and, of course, there are a lot more than two parts in the songs. We will see how that works out. I’m excited to get these songs on the road.
What is the best thing about being in a band/musician?
I get to work with my best friends and every day we make something the world’s never heard before. That’s so gratifying. We try to write songs that help too.
Emotional connection is so important, especially today. People need to know that they’re not the only one struggling or having problems and that we all have the same experiences. This is what makes pop music so beautiful to me.
What’s the biggest problem you’ve had to overcome so far as a musician(s)?
Being comfortable speaking and writing about my feelings. I went to an all-boys school in a working class area. It’s been tough overcoming the idea that I’d be mocked for expressing how I feel.
What plans have you got coming up this year?
Move house, have a baby, release this album, write another and I’m producing and writing with some new artists in Paris too. Dan and I want to get these songs in front of fans by the end of the year.
Dear readers, if you like our songs and want us to play in your town, then put our songs on repeat at night on Spotify on silent. We’re going to be going to the places with the most plays.
What is your ultimate dream as a band?
UK number one album, play Wembley & Madison Square Garden and jam with Dave Grohl.
To find out more about Plastic Barricades, visit their website and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Spotify & SoundCloud.
If you’re in a band or a musician and would like to appear on this blog, please contact me and I’ll forward you an interview template.
