Pluto Jonze

With the release of his debut EP and a host of live shows just around the corner 2011 will see everything fall into place for Sydney artist Pluto Jonze. 

 Take his unique brand of sound, mix it by the likes of Tony Espie (Midnight Juggernauts, Cut Copy, The Holidays) and what you'll get is something pretty spectacular.

I best not spoil a good story though, have a little read and listen yourself (I promise you - It's thoroughly entertaining).

How did you first become involved in music?

Well I had piano lessons from about 8 or 9 til about 14, when I wanted to quit. Hated scales and exams etc. Thanks to my dad, I got a new piano teacher at that point who basically just taught me pop songs, you know, Beatles standards, things I cold sing along to, and THAT saved my career on the keys. My dad’s also a keys player and producer, who’s had a home recording set up a few doors down from my bedroom for pretty much my whole life, so I fooled around in there as a youngster, got into the concept of overdubbing myself onto myself very early, taught myself a bunch of different instruments, and I think that’s informs my approach to writing/recording to this day.

In terms of music, did you find living in Berlin inspiring?

Yes. The electro/dance/minimalist scene over there is a branch of music I would probably never have stumbled across of my own accord in Australia, but which I became fascinated with when living in Berlin. It’s actually quite orchestral, a lot of it, it’s all totally focussed on arrangement because there’s mostly no lyrics, and particularly with the minimalist electro stuff I love the idea of doing more with less. I feel like a lot of the bass sounds and bass lines in my songs wouldn’t have happened had I not lived in Berlin. 

How would you describe your sound?

Like a band from another planet playing 60’s music.

Next week sees the release of your debut EP Pluto Jonze; tell us a little more about the writing and recording process behind the record…

I’ve poured my heart, my brain and my guts into this EP. All the songs on there were written and demo’d in my bedroom at my Bondi sharehouse. From there it took a while to realise that these songs didn’t need a producer, just the odd re-recording, particularly for drums. Drums were re-recorded at BJB Studios, Surry Hills and my dad helped re-record anything else that needed it at his home studio in Redfern. But I’m glad to say that a lot of those original bedroom recordings made it to the final mix (by Tony Espie – Avalanches, Cut Copy, Holidays), so what you’re hearing on record is often the first take, the creative spark of something being performed for the first time. I like that spontaneity, it’s something you can never really get back.

Having seen you live, I can’t get over your expert control of the theremin. How did you two first become acquainted?

One misty afternoon a few years ago while rummaging through my dad’s balcony junk I came across this spooky looking contraption. After trying to explain to me that it was an instrument you played without touching it, just by waving your hands around NEAR it, dad plugged it in and demonstrated to my disbelief. He was no expert, nor am I even now to be honest, but ever since that day I’ve been hooked. The theremin is the wildest, sexiest, most out of control instrument I have ever played – to an extent you can’t control it, and if you try to, it loses the magic of the sound, in my opinion. Purist theremin players would probably wrench if they saw my live show.

What can we look forward to from Pluto Jonze in 2011?

Plenty of theremin antics, a bunch of live shows around the country to promote the EP, and I’d like to say there’ll be the debut full length album out before year’s end, but I know how long these things can take. Most of the album’s already been written and demo’d, but getting things properly re-recorded and mixed can take ages. Fingers crossed I’ll be able to find the time.

Given your pick, if you could take to the stage with any artists (alive or dead) who would they be?

I have to say Beck back in his Midnite Vultures days would have been an awesome act to play with – to me he was at his absolute best when trying to be Prince – I want his kooky back up dancers. And it would have been a buzz to play alongside Blur, original line-up, back during Britpop’s height at somewhere like the Hammersmith Palais. Screw it let’s just take it back to ’64 and support the Beatles at Shea Stadium.

Here at the bell we're pretty stoked about Pluto's debut EP launch this Friday at the Gaelic (details on gig guide) and the fact the record will hit stores later next week.