The Plastics chat 'In Threes'

3 Dec 2015

Indie favourites The Plastics recently released their eagerly awaited third studio album, which is currently available for free download - how nice! We chat to vocalist Pascal Righini about recording processes, album art and smartie rainbow streaks.

Why the decision to release the album for free download?

We just want everyone to hear the album. Free music is the future. We would rather have everyone familiar with the entire album than just some of the radio tracks, so we thought it was the best way. We also took a long time to make this album, so thought it would be cool to give back to our fans who have been so patient.

What was the recording process like?

It was long! We really did take our time and mixed and produced and tweaked so much. The actual tracking took place in two different studios last year and the mixing in a third, this year. The truth is we didn't want to rush, we wanted to experiment and delve deep into our songs and our ideas and I think we did do that. We also drank quite a bit of gin while mixing, so maybe that slowed us down sometimes ;)

What was it like recording with Hector Castillo in Sydney?

It was fantastic. Hector is a brilliant and very experienced producer - we would love to work with him again. He understands tones and effects so well that once the parts were tracked they sounded amazing and really didn't require any long or meticulous mixing sessions. It was effortless and liberating, really a fun experience.

I love the album art. Was this a collaborative effort between the band, Baden Moir and Lauren Waller?

Yes and no. We had a discussion with Baden Moir and Lauren Waller, and expressed some ideas and themes we wanted in the artwork. We then sent Baden Moir all the rough mixes and lyrics and let him create the line drawings with as much freedom and creativity as he wanted. Baden has a brilliant mind and we think he more than nailed the drawings and the meaning behind some of the images is really quite beautiful. Lauren Waller then did all the colouring, layouts and animation. Lauren really tied all the different drawings and elements, and the look of the whole booklet together in a way that it became as much a part of the identity of the album as the music. Lauren Waller is amazing at her craft and really added a beautiful sheen to the whole thing - its great to see her create and finesse. We are very proud of what Baden and Lauren have created and couldn't be more thankful to them for the art.

If you could describe this album as a meal what would it be and why?

A frozen yoghurt with all the toppings. Its got a delicious healthy centre, the real substance, but then it is also covered with nuggets of colourful sometimes surreal like toppings. It's like when the colour from the smarties blends into the yoghurt and makes these rainbow streaks, or when the marshmallows begin to freeze and get that almost nougat-like texture to them then you're hit with some crushed Oreo drums or some raspberry swirl bass. Mmmmmm frogurt ....

Any particularly favourite songs?

The New is one of my personal favourites. Its a great summary of the album and the mindset of the band at the moment it's a song about creativity and being an artist in the modern world. Also Alona, which was probably the first song we all knew would be on the album; it was a collective aha moment as to where the sound was heading.

What was the response like at the recent UK shows?

It was really phenomenal. We played some amazing venues and met awesome people, and they really responded well and were very excited about the band and about the new album.

What local artists are you currently into?

Sol gems,John Wizards,Yum Yuck, The Liminals, Early Hours, The Gumbo Yaya's, Retro Dizzy, Medicine Boy, and Al Bairre to name a few.

What have been some of your musical highlights from 2015?

Playing the UK for the second time in 12 months. The Arcade Empire Halloween Party, finishing and releasing our album 'In Threes'. Going to Australia and recording at Studios 301 with Hector Castillo.Opening for Brand New and Twin Atlantic. Its been a great year.