plxntkid - Sound In The Signals Interview
I recently had the opportunity to interview plxntkid. We discussed his introduction to music, the music scene in Norway, early influences, writing and recording new song “parasite”, what he hopes fans take away from the song, collaborating with Josh from Magnolia Park, and more. Check it out below.
When discussing growing up in Norway, you've mentioned there wasn't much of a local music scene. What was your introduction to music and early influences?
I'm from Verdal in Norway, a small town with 14 thousand citizens, there are some local bands, but none that make the sort of music I’m interested in. Most of the bands out there do folk-ish music. My first introduction to music as a whole was my mom, she is really into AC/DC and Guns N' Roses to name a few, while my dad listened to a lot of Johnny Cash, and some more bluesy/country stuff.
The first time I actually played an instrument was when I got a guitar for a Christmas present when I was about 9 or 10. I didn't know how to play so it wasn't used that much, but some time after (a few years) I started going to a Visual and Performing Arts School in Verdal. There I learned to play guitar, and even played in a few bands, I went there until my OCD got really bad and I had to quit because I couldn't be in the same room as other people at that point in my OCD. Growing up, I myself listened to a lot of Sum-41, blink-182, The Offspring, Green Day, Linkin Park, Simple Plan to name some.
You recently released your new song "parasite" via Epitaph Records. Can you tell us more about the writing process and the lyrical themes you explored?
"parasite" is a song about my struggles with anti-anxiety and anti-depression medications, when making the song, the lyrics kinda just came to me, and the screamo-style of singing felt only natural when talking about my experiences with medication. I don't know if there's much else to say, me and Joki (producer) have a very fluent writing process because we understand each other very well, so it all comes about very organically.
Can you tell us more about the recording process? What came easiest in the process and what took more time?
"parasite" was produced and recorded in one day, we came in early at the studio and he had this guitar riff he wanted me to listen to, he pulled up the main riff from what is now the chorus of “parasite”, and we just went from there, at that time I was uncomfortable singing around people so I asked him to leave the room so I could record my vocals.
I remember getting a message from him outside of the room saying he could hear me through the walls, but that I should keep doing what I was doing. As I said earlier, with the topic being what it was, it all came very naturally, so it didn't take long at all. I think we spent 12 hours in the studio that day. Usually for me it's the verses that take the longest for me to nail.
What do you hope fans take away from the song?
What I hope people take away from this song is that while medication can help a whole lot, it can also do a lot of damage, especially if it's the wrong medication, which can happen often until you find what's right for your body. I feel like the side effects of anti-depressants are often swept under the carpet, but it can drive you fucking nuts. In my experiences you're just supposed to just suck it up (the side effects) because of the benefits of the meds-- but that's hard when sometimes the medicine gives you brand new problems that didn't exist before. So basically it's just to express my personal frustration with medication and hopefully to let someone out there know that they're not alone.
You also recently released "zombie" featuring Josh from Magnolia Park. What was it like working with him? What did he bring to your music and process?
Working with Josh was absolutely amazing, I love Magnolia Park, and I was so happy when he wanted to do this song with me! He's a great lyricist and a great performer. I feel like he helped bring some authentic American-style pop-punk to the song, which I love.
What else is coming up for you in 2022? Are you already planning ahead for 2023?
Moving forward, we're planning releases every 6-7 weeks up until I play a show called "Trondheim Calling" in Norway that's happening in February next year.
Thanks for taking the time to answer the questions. Is there anything else that you'd like to add?
I want to say thanks to everyone who listens to my music, and to those who hate it as well!
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