New Delhi's Peter Cat Recording Co is one of the most captivating bands I've heard in a while. As time goes on, lines between genres get more and more blurred. PCRC is a prime example of that merging of genres. The band has spent over 10 years perfecting their craft. Their nostalgic vocals and haunting melodies create a dream like experience that completely grabs your attention. We recently had the opportunity to talk to the band, check it out.
Rapid-fire Questions
1. What have you been listening to lately?
LIGHTNING BOLT
SHADOW MUSIC
3 STRING GUITAR dragged OVER RUBBER
2. I read in previous interview that your mom thinks your voice sounds creepy? WHY??
As long as your mom likes it, it's fine.
3. I’ve been obsessed with Cher since last year. Any chance you’d do a cover of “Believe”?
We used to, don't believe anymore. It's a christian propaganda song.
4. What is the question that you’re most tired of answering in interviews?
Pretty much every 3rd question in any interview.
5. What fictional location would you most like to play a show at?
Michael Jackson's childhood.
6. Who would win in a fight? Peter Cat Recording Co, or 6 Garfield the cats all voiced by Bill Murray?
Our drummer.
7. What conspiracy theory are you convinced is true?
Aliens.
8. Do you think Bill Murray would be into your music?
no one would believe him.
9. Make me cry.
I’m sorry, for everything.
10. On a scale of 1-10, how much do you regret agreeing to do this interview ?
7
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Can you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about yourself for those who may not be familiar with Peter Cat Recording Co?
We started out recording feral cats in a dingey apartment off the coast of zanzibar. That's when we got noticed by Peter catz who said he needed young brown boy slaves, we joined. Then peter died(or left), so since we helped him record his albums, we thought we’d call ourselves peter catz’s recording company, and that got us into some legal trouble, so changed catz to cat.
Was there anything in particular that pushed you to pursue a career in music?
Being told I shouldn’t pursue a career in music.
When and how did the band form?
2010 for a friends wedding, then the band went through many changes as people chose to drop out.
In your opinion, what are some downsides and upsides that you’ve seen as streaming platforms became one of the biggest sources for music consumption?
Either way the artist suffers, the pros are that the music can reach more people but the more business centric and ad based everything becomes it seems to be going more towards “whoever's got the better marketing strategy and the better “image” is going to get more eyes.”
It was always a business, still is. Just slightly more skewed away from the artists. Music is no longer a commodity to be bought or revered, people expect it for free and I suppose it just doesn't have the same value in society anymore. Oh well...
Has your view of “success” in music changed from when you first started, or has it remained the same?
The industry kept changing, so at the end of the day success was always making music we thought would pass the test of time.
What was it like coming up the New Dehli music scene?
The new delhi scene was always a lil scattered, it's gotten slightly more legitimate in the past decade. There was a lot going on though, and it was interesting to be able to make a place for ourselves in it.
Can you talk to us a bit about your latest album “Bismillah”?
It’s come about after a lot of hard work, and we’re quite proud of it. Check it out and hopefully something connects for everyone.
How long was the process of creating the album? From writing to releasing it.
As any composer might tell you we have songs that are 10 + years old that only start to get finished when its their time.
Bismillah has songs all the way from 2013 to 2018. The writing process has been long, the recording, production and release was all mostly 2017/2018.
Do you like to go back and listen to a project after it’s release, or do you not really revisit your previous work?
Not especially, once it's out the next time I listen to it maybe 2 years later to see if it still makes sense.
Were you listening to anything in particular while working on “Bismillah” ?
Everyone in the band was listening to different things, ranging from orchestral pieces, duke ellington's live shows, to harsh noise and death metal. We like to have multiple influences.
I really like the album cover. Can you tell us a bit about it?
It’s our singer's father in law at his wedding popping that champagne. The album is a celebration which is perfectly encapsulated in the cover image.
Have you been able to work on anything during the pandemic, or have you used it to take some time off?
We released an album of rejected pcrc songs called Happy Holidays. And otherwise we’ve all been working on our future albums and solo projects.
The first song of yours I heard and currently my favorite is “Shit I’m Dreaming” can you give us some background on that track?
The song is about everything one hopes to achieve and to achieve it in a way that doesnt hurt the soul, to live in a beautiful setting and to be able to provide and keep everyone you love happy and content, but ultimately knowing that it’s a dream.
Is there anything that you want your listeners to feel or think when they listen to your music?
I don’t think we’re trying to make them feel anything, we don’t write finger point songs,
As much as we want to create safe spaces and inspire change in people, our music comes from a very isolated and personal place and thus can only hope to present our nuances as we wish them to.
What is the most important thing for you when it comes to creating a song?
Honesty and lack of pretense.
Is there anyone that you’d like to collaborate with?
So many people…. Werner herzog, Tom waits, Bob dylan, Daniel Johnston (RIP), Ringo Starr, , Miley Cyrus, David Lynch, Homeshake, Anurag Kashyap, Monolake, Atom(TM), Conan Mockasin, Brian Eno, Mazzy Star, Vashti Bunyun, Deer Hunter, Aphex Twin, Arca …..there’s alot….
What do you want to accomplish through your music?
Freedom in all its ways.
Ideally, where do you see the band in the next 5 years?
More music, more art, newer forms of representing both these things and being able to comfortably tour the world and sustain ourselves, our families and our various projects.
Any plans for a US tour once touring is an option again?
We actually had something planned for the west coast in 2020, but yea…
We’d like to make it over there. Hopefully whenever it's possible.
What is the musical accomplishment that you are most proud of?
I think playing rock en seine and touring europe and the uk in a van was definitely a high point.
What can we expect from Peter Cat Recording Co in the near future?
We plan on releasing alot of music and visual media to pair with it in the coming year. Everyones moving into the same house so our workflow is stronger and faster for the coming 11-20 months.
To wrap things up, is there anything that you want our readers to know?
Stand up for what you believe in, and try not to be a piece of shit
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