Following on from the roaring response to their much-loved comeback singles 'Psychedelic Carousel' and 'Solaris' earlier this year, emerging indie-psych duo Plasma Chasms are back once again with their dreamy new offering 'Interstellar Baby'.
Lifted from their forthcoming debut album 'Chrysalis', which is set to arrive soon, 'Interstellar Baby' sees them continue that broad and inventive direction they are known for. Brimming with bold and technicolour textures, a sweeping atmosphere, and shimmering hooks throughout, they are certainly ones to keep a firm eye on for the months ahead as well.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with them to find out more about their origins and what has been inspiring them most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
(Adrian): The guitar for sure. My first instrument was the Cello but I never fell into it like the guitar.
(Jane): The first instrument I fell in love with, and it was truly romanticised in the 80’s, was the harp. I still have never played one. The instrument I played and really loved was the alto saxophone.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
(A): Oh geez, well it was polyjamorous haha. My parents were into latin music, my cousin and uncle were into 60’s-70’s classic rock/punk and my brother was into the 80’s new wave and metal. So I was exposed to all kinds of music when I was younger. My jam though? Nirvana. That’s when I decided I wanted to make music.
(J): My music taste was all over the place when I was really young but when I first really started to get a taste for music it was when Rage against the machine, Local H and The Offspring were hitting the scene and that was my entry into metal.
What was the first album you remember owning?
(A): First album I bought and owned myself was Nirvana: Bleach.
(J): The first album I remember buying myself was Korn - Life is Peachy.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
(A): Hmmm that’s a tough one. But if I had to choose it would be “Instant Karma” by John Lennon. The positivity, the hope and the love radiating from his soul is something I try to infuse in our music.
(J): Tame Impala - it's not meant to be. It's a beautiful song, I wish I could capture that.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
(A): Not really. I usually let emotion take me for a spin. Whatever comes out, I record and put away until I can work it into a song.
(J): I really need to be inspired. It can be a cool sound, a feeling, a vibe. I listen to a lot of records and then things will come to me.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
(A): I really enjoyed the Justice/Tame Impala colab. Lately, I’ve been appreciating some Stevie Wonder and Jamiroquai. It’s been a rough year for me so I’m trying to keep it positive and not blast Tool all the time. Haha.
(J): Listening to Foxygen, Morgan Delt, the new Pond album, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard & Gum.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
(A): Pond or Gum. Ideally, King Gizzard or Psychedelic Porn Crumpets.
(J): Tame Impala. Pond.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
(A): When a creation of yours resonates with someone and you see/feel the excitement in their spirit. So many bands have done this for me. So to see it from the other side is incredibly rewarding.
(J): I recently read a quote by Pythagoras “The highest goal of music is to connect one’s soul to their divine nature, not entertainment” I think that sums it up better than I can. I like to make the kind of music I would like to listen to and it's an outlet for my soul.
And what is the most frustrating part?
(A): When people don't get your vision and decide to tell you how it should be. Conformity is the killer of creativity. Just because it’s been doesn't mean it should remain as is. That’s not growing. That's dying.
(J): Not being able to focus on music full time or for a living. Having to work on the monetizing side of music. The greed that exists in the streaming world at the moment as the industry is.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
(A): As cliche as it sounds, just be you. Work on your art. Yes, there are a lot of label plants out in place to sell records and merch. Don’t let those with small vision dictate your art. Create the future, don’t recreate the past.
(J): A lot of the best advice has come from Andy Warhol. “Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.” I think this frees you from the shackles of self denigration when you start judging your creation, judging yourself. Questioning your own abilities.
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Plasma Chasms' new single 'Interstellar Baby' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.