Interview: Plastic Cowboys
Kicking off what promises to be a busy 2021, Plastic Cowboys return with the release of their debut EP Splinter. Harnessing the plethora of feelings which will be familiar to most following a year spent largely in lockdown, the Westmeath indie-rock trio have tapped into the rollercoaster of emotions that are experienced through living in your own head.
Managing to navigate the Covid-19 restrictions by splitting their time between studio and self-recorded sessions, this allowed the trio more freedom to explore and develop their sound.
Splinter is the first of 3 EPs planned by Plastic Cowboys in 2021, culminating in a debut album from one of Ireland's most rousing new bands.
Read below to learn more about these Irish guys!
You guys just released your latest single, None like you, in December of 2020 (which is a hit by the way.). Can you tell me a little more about it? How did you come up with the concept behind the song during lockdown?
None Like You was written in the height of the first lockdown we were subjected to in Ireland due to Covid-19. Naturally, the walls were feeling tighter than I had ever felt before, and a lot of forced introspection followed. None Like You prepared itself as an answer to that introspection, as the message of the song conveys the highs and lows of being human. It is about riding those highs and lows rather than expecting one or the other. It is about learning and improving as an individual, with an emphasis on improving. I think it's easy for us as people (especially Irish people) to ignore our problems or mend it with the bare minimum amount of care, and then expecting everything to be solved. - Ciaran
Now, you guys only have singles out right now. Are there any plans to maybe do a full album or EP in the future?
We are going to be releasing our debut EP in March and the plan for this year is to release at least a couple more EP’s so we are going to have a lot of content for people to look forward to this year - Darren
Do you guys have any big accomplishments you would like to complete this year that you couldn’t do last year?
The EP is one that we have been itching to do for a while, it was recorded last year during lockdown but everything has been so up in the air with covid we ended up pushing back the release. - Darren
You guys posted a video on your Instagram of all the instrumentals you did for the song. Have you guys grown up playing instruments or were they something you got into as you got older?
I started playing bass when i was a teenager, i started listening to bands like the Ramones and the Clash and knew I wanted to be a musician - Darren
I started guitar when I was 11 years old or so. It’s become integral to who I am as a person. I was either that annoying kid in school who wouldn't stop playing guitar, or the really cool kid in school who wouldn't stop playing guitar, depending on who you ask. - Ciaran
Would you ever want a song or maybe a future album on vinyl? Do any of you guys have a vinyl collection right now? If not, what would your ideal collection look like?
We have definitely discussed doing vinyl in the future. It has been somewhat of a goal for us but we want to hold off on it until a future release. I have quite a big vinyl collection I have been collecting since I was 15 and have come across some cool finds like an original Rubber Soul pressing. - Darren
Follow plastic cowboys on social media along with their Spotify!