Musicians in Lockdown: Plastic Barricades Interview

The London and Paris-based indie rock duo Plastic Barricades are highly resourceful with recording new music and music videos within the restraints of quarantine. Cleverly taking advantage of whatever they can with their limited space and equipment, they have spent this year creating a new album with whimsical visuals to embrace their kooky demeanor. Each song has a peculiar energy that is chipper yet laid-back, and lyrics that are wistful yet assured — both of which are sure to entice the ears of any indie rock lover.

Dan Kert, singer and guitarist of alt indie duo Plastic Barricades sat down with The Outer Void:

What have you been up to during the pandemic?

This year was spent making sure our second album “Self-Theories” is all set and ready for release – and it is OUT on the 23rd of November! This album has proved particularly important for us, as we’ve went truly DIY on this one, embracing our limitations and pursuing the most realistic recording. The whole album was written, recorded and even partially mixed in a 4×3 meter backyard shed, with minimal equipment and minimal takes. We’ve also really enjoyed making weird and quirky music videos in our living room, using fishtanks, microscopes and archival footage. Go check these out and get inspired to make your own!

Has the lockdown impacted your songwriting this year in any way?

Songwriting is like a journal or diary, so it is constantly changing as we grow and change with the world. This turbulent year has most definitely affected our upcoming “Self-Theories” album and brought new layers of meaning to most of the tracks. I guess, the main thought is this: no matter how hard life seems and how impossibly difficult the days might be, we will only be able to live through these times if we stay optimistic and actively search for ways to repair and heal.

What’s your favorite show you’ve ever played?

We miss playing live so much that thinking about our favourite shows now can be quite painful. But I will never forget a unique show at the iconic Hard Rock Café London, where our dressing-room was just next to the vault with Jimi Hendrix’s Flying V and Kurt Cobain’s Jazzmaster. When I was 13 and visiting London for the first time we went there with my parents and I was inspired and impressed. It took 13 years to get onto that stage – and it will always be a special moment for me.

If you could tour with any band/artist, who would it be?

Someday soon we will go on two slightly different world tours. The first one will have the incredible Foo Fighters and Biffy Clyro and the second one will be with Death Cab for Cutie and The Shins. These bands have been a huge inspiration for the last many years and I just cannot get enough of them. Plus all the band members sound like the sweetest and most thoughtful artists ever – so these tours should definitely be life-changing! Dear Dave, Simon, Ben and James and the rest of the crew – we are ready!

What 2020 album would you recommend to someone who believes there’s no good new music?

This is tricky and really depends on your musical preferences, but I think the latest Biffy Clyro’s LP “A Celebration of Endings” is very poignant and full of raw emotions. I’ve also quite enjoyed The Beths new LP “Jump Rope Gazers” – go check it out!

What are your plans for 2021?

Our new album is out on the 23rd of November so we will be filming more music videos to try to top the 3 we’ve already got. And we will be trying very hard to get back on the road and bring these electric noises to a village near you as soon as this is possible. And last but not least – songwriting! So many things to say, so many ideas to try – so many songs ready to be written!

Check out the quirky music video for Plastic Barricades’s track “Optimist” off their new album Self-Theories, out on November 23rd!