Pluto Jonze (18/10/2011)
The 59th Sound recently spoke with Pluto Jonze, who is currently on tour for his ‘Plastic Bag In A Hurricane’ single launch.
2011 really has proved to be the year of Pluto, has this year been everything you hoped for?
At the beginning of this year all I really cared about was getting the debut EP finished and first film clip out. Those two things eventually happened, gleaned a bit of attention and we’re about to release the second film clip from the EP, Plastic Bag in a Hurricane. To me, sometimes it seems like the cogs take an age to turn, but when I take a step back, objectively I can see everything is building at a steady pace. Most of the material for my next release has already been written and demoed, so yes, 2011 has already been a milestone year.
You've toured with the likes of The Jezabels, Andy Bull and Jinja Safair, what has been your favourite tour moments thus far?
Supporting Buck 65 in Melbourne and Sydney was an experience I’ll never forget. I was spellbound with the way he weaved poetry, beats, scratching, priceless anecdotes together – in a completely different way each night. He really connected with his audience more than any act I’ve ever seen.
Aside from the music, a tour moment I always enjoy is each time my theremin gets stopped on the X-ray machine at airports. Without fail the transaction with the security guy goes as follows: ‘What’s this?’ - ‘A theremin’ - astoundingly blank look for 4 seconds... ‘OK carry on’.
My drummer Ben’s unrelenting stream of puns are also an integral part of the touring process.
Now you've grown up in a very musical environment, has a career as a musician always been the plan?
Definitely not. I got into sonic experimentation in my early teens, tinkering away in my dad’s home recording set up which was only metres away from my bedroom. With dad’s advice I started to be able to turn these experiments into palatable songs I could play to people. But it was only in 2008 when I got back from overseas that I decided to give a career in music a proper try.
In your musical career progressing as an artist what have been your most defining moments?
Winning Tropscore in 2009 and playing my score live to thousands in the Domain was the first time I genuinely thought, Hey, I could really make this music thing happen for me.
I grew up watching Saturday morning Rage, so it was a special moment earlier this year when I saw the clip for Meet You Under Neon broadcast in that slot.
Also, I am a football (soccer) fanatic so when the Champions League highlights show started last week, accompanied by Plastic Bag in a Hurricane, I nearly fell off my chair.
On your Facebook there was mention of 3-ring theremin circus joining you on your tour, what can punters expect for a Pluto Jonze show?
Sonic acrobatics and melodic juggling. The sounds of the 60s refracted through an electro prism, backed by pounding drums, wailing guitar and visuals to make your heart fall off the trapeze. And of course, a theremin.
Your new film clip looks like it will be an exquisite affair, can you tell us about the making of the clip?
It was an incredible shoot. So pro, yet so demanding. One minute the band and I would be gawking at a cherry picker, while someone handed us breakfast, and took care of our ironing. The next someone would be holding a pippette dropper above my eye saying “don’t blink!” before blasting us with a fire hose and wind machine. It was like half way between staying at the Hilton and being captured by the Stasi.
What are one of your favourite music videos of all time?
I love the clip to the Avalanches’ Since I Left You. Probably the most killer ending of all time!
I also really connect with the Chemical Bros’ clip for The Test. Although it’s a totally abstract impression of an altered experience, it all really makes sense to me. I love purely associative clips like that - they take real imagination.
Finally, you've lived in Berlin and Guatemala, what makes Australia home to you?
To be honest, it’s mainly friends, family (and probably my dad’s recording studio) that make Australia home to me right now. Up until 3 years ago I’d lived overseas for a while and so have been happy to be settled here the last few years. But I don’t feel my music is particularly indicative or representative of anything happening in this country, so I wouldn’t be surprised if at some point I head back to the UK or Europe – where most of my influences come from.
‘Plastic Bag In A Hurricane’ Single launch.
Oct 27th @ The Oxford Art Factory
Nov 4th @ Blacklight/Lightspace, Brisbane
Samantha Dickson
2011 really has proved to be the year of Pluto, has this year been everything you hoped for?
At the beginning of this year all I really cared about was getting the debut EP finished and first film clip out. Those two things eventually happened, gleaned a bit of attention and we’re about to release the second film clip from the EP, Plastic Bag in a Hurricane. To me, sometimes it seems like the cogs take an age to turn, but when I take a step back, objectively I can see everything is building at a steady pace. Most of the material for my next release has already been written and demoed, so yes, 2011 has already been a milestone year.
You've toured with the likes of The Jezabels, Andy Bull and Jinja Safair, what has been your favourite tour moments thus far?
Supporting Buck 65 in Melbourne and Sydney was an experience I’ll never forget. I was spellbound with the way he weaved poetry, beats, scratching, priceless anecdotes together – in a completely different way each night. He really connected with his audience more than any act I’ve ever seen.
Aside from the music, a tour moment I always enjoy is each time my theremin gets stopped on the X-ray machine at airports. Without fail the transaction with the security guy goes as follows: ‘What’s this?’ - ‘A theremin’ - astoundingly blank look for 4 seconds... ‘OK carry on’.
My drummer Ben’s unrelenting stream of puns are also an integral part of the touring process.
Now you've grown up in a very musical environment, has a career as a musician always been the plan?
Definitely not. I got into sonic experimentation in my early teens, tinkering away in my dad’s home recording set up which was only metres away from my bedroom. With dad’s advice I started to be able to turn these experiments into palatable songs I could play to people. But it was only in 2008 when I got back from overseas that I decided to give a career in music a proper try.
In your musical career progressing as an artist what have been your most defining moments?
Winning Tropscore in 2009 and playing my score live to thousands in the Domain was the first time I genuinely thought, Hey, I could really make this music thing happen for me.
I grew up watching Saturday morning Rage, so it was a special moment earlier this year when I saw the clip for Meet You Under Neon broadcast in that slot.
Also, I am a football (soccer) fanatic so when the Champions League highlights show started last week, accompanied by Plastic Bag in a Hurricane, I nearly fell off my chair.
On your Facebook there was mention of 3-ring theremin circus joining you on your tour, what can punters expect for a Pluto Jonze show?
Sonic acrobatics and melodic juggling. The sounds of the 60s refracted through an electro prism, backed by pounding drums, wailing guitar and visuals to make your heart fall off the trapeze. And of course, a theremin.
Your new film clip looks like it will be an exquisite affair, can you tell us about the making of the clip?
It was an incredible shoot. So pro, yet so demanding. One minute the band and I would be gawking at a cherry picker, while someone handed us breakfast, and took care of our ironing. The next someone would be holding a pippette dropper above my eye saying “don’t blink!” before blasting us with a fire hose and wind machine. It was like half way between staying at the Hilton and being captured by the Stasi.
What are one of your favourite music videos of all time?
I love the clip to the Avalanches’ Since I Left You. Probably the most killer ending of all time!
I also really connect with the Chemical Bros’ clip for The Test. Although it’s a totally abstract impression of an altered experience, it all really makes sense to me. I love purely associative clips like that - they take real imagination.
Finally, you've lived in Berlin and Guatemala, what makes Australia home to you?
To be honest, it’s mainly friends, family (and probably my dad’s recording studio) that make Australia home to me right now. Up until 3 years ago I’d lived overseas for a while and so have been happy to be settled here the last few years. But I don’t feel my music is particularly indicative or representative of anything happening in this country, so I wouldn’t be surprised if at some point I head back to the UK or Europe – where most of my influences come from.
‘Plastic Bag In A Hurricane’ Single launch.
Oct 27th @ The Oxford Art Factory
Nov 4th @ Blacklight/Lightspace, Brisbane
Samantha Dickson