"Open and Shout" an interview with I Need A Plastic Face

I Need a Plastic Face is a band from Turin (Italy). By the end of 2017 they set up a basement studio and bought an electric organ - a Farfisa Matador - and started writing the songs that make up their debut album "Knick Knacks", which was recorded and mixed in 48 hours. Their main influence comes from The Velvet Underground in terms of coexistence between dissonance and pop harmonies, however the band is also heavily influenced by electronic music, shoegaze and noise rock. I got together with band members Paul Mellor and Massimiliano Alf to talk about their early musical experiences, the music and art scenes in Italy and the making of their debut album "Kick Knacks" which will be available as a cassette from CMM this summer.

CMM - What were you all's first musical memories and what's the first music each of you heard that made a major impact on you?

INAPF - Our first musical memories are respectively footage of a Slipknot's live show and an actual live show by Franco Battiato witnessed as a spectator at the age of four. These are also the first musical encounters that respectively had a major impact on us.

CMM - How did the band form and what took you all into the musical direction that makes up the bands sound?

INAPF- We met in Turin shortly after we both moved here. A common friend really wanted us to meet and since the first moment we were totally willing to form a band. In the first days we struggled hard to find a drummer, nonetheless we figured out that we were doing fine on our own and came into buying a sampler and an electric organ, which led I Need a Plastic Face to exist.

CMM - What was the writing and recording process for the recordings like?

INAPF - Our songs were born by playing along with each other. We had no idea what was going to happen each time. For what is concerned about the lyrics, they were written together and were rather written instinctively. The recording time took two nights of live sessions.

CMM - Any particular gear you used in the making of it?

INAPF - Our album is mainly made by the combination between the bass and the organ, which we found peculiar in the way they worked out together. The only exception is the leading melody of "Somehow you're Happy", which is played by a traditional chinese flute called "hulusi".

CMM - If you could score a soundtrack for any film director who would it be and what would the film be about?

INAPF - We actually worked on the soundtrack of a film that we cannot speak about yet. Anyway we really hope to be working on a film about Tarkovskij's life, one day.

CMM - How do you see the state of the music and art scenes in Italy these days? Who are your favorite local bands and what venues to you enjoy performing in?

INAPF - The music in Italy is in a very crucial phase. There are plenty of interesting and special artistic realities throughout the whole nation. The only inconvenient is found in the lack of interest by the audience. Italian art is amazing. Our favorite local bands are too many to be mentioned, even though we would really like to endorse all of them. The same goes for many venues that work in a passionate and marvelous way.

CMM - What direction do you see your new recordings moving in and what do you have planned for a follow up release?

INAPF - We only look to be sure that nobody will make any horrible jazz cover of one of our songs.

CMM : News And Notes For 4/27/17

MARIANA RIVALS "TAKE/CHROMA" CASSETTE OUT NOW

CMM are incredibly excited to release the new Mariana Rivals E.P. as a limited edition cassette. The California/Connecticut based synth pop unit deliver a pair of new tracks that are absolutely delightful. A wash of shimmering synths ring throughout the heavy groove based feel of “Take”. It’s pumping bassline and laid back rhythm are simply second to none while the mysterious yet soulful vocals put everything over the top and get you singing along in no time. “Chroma” is a bit darker and more subliminal. It’s got a heavy feel to it that builds throughout and keeps you guessing at what will come next as it’s cunning dynamics and atmospheric presence is as beautiful as it is enlightening. There’s also an underlying orchestral element to it all that I enjoy very much. A captivating pair of songs that could easily serve as the soundtrack to a universe trillions of light years away. The cassette is available now at www.custommademusicva.com or mariarivals.bandcamp.com

WEINF "PURPLE BIRD AND OTHER STRANGE SONGS” CASSETTE OUT NOW

Another new favorite of mine is Barcelona Spain based outfit Weinf and I couldn't be happier to release their new full length "Purple Bird And Other Strange Songs" as a limited cassette. The album comes off like the soundtrack to a secret David Lynch film. Drawing influence from the likes of Morphine, and The Velvet Underground it's the perfect eclectic mix of jazz and psychedelia. Weinf founder Dani Ruiz distinct voice and guitar work are nothing short of stellar and sure to draw you in for a truly exciting listening experience. Pick up a copy at www.custommademusicva.com or weinf.bandcamp.com

STIV: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF A DEAD BOY COMING IN 2018

STIV: The Life and Times Of A Dead Boy is an upcoming feature-length documentary on legendary punk icon, Stiv Bators. It will be the first film ever made about the rowdy and controversial performer, and his life will be documented through archive footage, photography, music and all-new interviews with the people who knew him. Stiv Bators was one of the early American punk pioneers, and is primarily known for his work with The Dead Boys and The Lords Of the New Church. Classic songs like "Sonic Reducer" and "Ain't It Fun" continue to inspire fans and musicians from all walks of life. Acclaimed director Danny Garcia will helm the project, and already has numerous punk documentaries under his belt, such as The Rise and Fall Of The Clash, Looking For Johnny, and Sad Vacation: The Last Days Of Sid and Nancy. Following in the same gritty underground style that has become Garcia's hallmark, STIV: The documentary has a tentative release date of May 2018.

STIV - TRAILER from Chip Baker Films on Vimeo.

AURA BLAZE HARD AT WORK ON NEW ALBUM

New Jersey psychedelic rock outfit Auza Blaze are in full studio mode, working on a new album and I must say I can't wait to hear it. Their 2015 self titled debut was absolutely genius as it's rich, mind bending atmospherics matched with incredible songwriting made it one of my favorite albums of the year. Aura Blaze guru Rhode Rachel has been posting in depth updates on the record and options and philosophies on recording which I find incredibly interesting and inspiring. Check out his latest update here.

STARLIGHT (featuring IGGY POP) - A FEATURE FILM BY SOPHIE BLONDY COMING MAY 8TH FROM CLEOPATRA ENTERTAINMENT

Cleopatra Entertainment LLC, the movie division of famed indie record label Cleopatra Records, has acquired all domestic rights to Starlight, a feature film by French film maker Sophie Blondy, coming to Blu-ray and VOD on May 9th. Set in the dunes near the North Sea, a small circus company is suffering from a serious lack of audience for their shows. Spectators are rare but the magic of the circus still thrives. Each performer rehearses and performs new numbers, but this fragile balance will quickly shatter to unveil their real nature and their most obscure feelings. The circus will then become a place of romantic lust where each will use their powers to satisfy their desires. Angele, the diaphanous ballerina, her clown lover Elliot and the circus ringmaster, full of cruelty and disturbed by fits of schizophrenia on one side. Zohra in love with Elliot, haunted by an uncanny conscience on the other side. Secrets, jealousy, envy will progressively take hold of them and trigger some irreversible acts. The life of the circus will then take a whole new turn. Iggy Pop appears throughout the film as an "angel" type character. Starlight was selected and screened at Tallinn - Black Nights Film Festival (Estonia, 2013), Montreal World Film Festival (Canada, 2013), Moscow - International Film Festival (Russia, 2013), Rendez-vous with New French Cinema in Rome (2013), and at Rotterdam International Film Festival (Netherlands, 2013).

Custom Made Music Radio Episode 6

Check out Episode 6 of Custom Made Music Radio featuring tracks from Last Remaining Pinnacle, Sleater Kinney, Lillet Blanc, Mantere, Big Business, Dog Paper Submarine, The Dead Boys, The Parasites, Jawbreaker, J Church, Seven Tin Stars,Comasummer, Klute, Lungfish and Cushing.