With its serotonin-boosting dance-pop dreamscape and relatable, thoughtful message, Meteorite (featuring Scarlett) is a highly danceable song. Plastic Punk wanted to write a song that simultaneously empowers people and makes them feel damn good too. The pre-chorus inquires, “Are we the only ones that feel like we were made to be stars, born with a spark?
The song includes the well-known vocalist Scarlett (Sara Sangfelt), who has appeared on a number of well-known songs, including Justin Mylo and Mike Williams’ “Face Up To The Sun.” “Scarlett has such a stratospheric voice — she felt like the perfect match for a song called Meteorite,” said Plastic Punk of her talent.
Scarlet is also familiar with Spotify Editorial playlists. She has been featured on a number of classic mixes, including Dance Covers and Bass Explosion. Additionally, she has had music released on Sony Sweden, Universal, and Spinnin’ Records. Check out the song and the exclusive interview with Plastic Punk below:
1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?
PLASTIC PUNK: Of course! I’m from Louisville, Kentucky. My first introduction to electronic music was from doing photography at underground raves in Louisville. I was extremely amateur at being a photographer. The thing that captivated me was the DJs. So I thought, “hey, maybe I could do that.” After making friends in the scene, the rest is history.
2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?
PLASTIC PUNK: A little of both. My mother is a multi-instrumentalist, so she taught me a lot. When I was growing up, I played in varies school bands too.
3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘PLASTIC PUNK’?
PLASTIC PUNK: I love all different types of music, but the genres that influence my music the most are Pop and House. I’ve always been a huge fan of Daft Punk, so that’s where the “Punk” part of my name comes from. To finish the creation of my name, I did a bit of research, and came upon “Plastic Punk” which means “A person, band or type of music that tries to replicate punk rockers from the late 70s – 80s”. When I found out the definition of the name, it made me laugh, so I just went with it.
4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
PLASTIC PUNK: If I had to describe my sound to someone who’s never heard me, I would start by telling them about my lyrics. I try my best to tell a thought-provoking story. My new song, Meteorite, is about someone who wants to be famous. We all feel that way, even if it’s just a little bit. The key element of my songs is a steady beat with heavy bass and plucky synths. Anyone can dance to my music.
5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as EDM?
PLASTIC PUNK:
I’ve found that it’s pretty hard to emulate another artist. So my development came by way of trial and error. In the beginning, I was trying to make hip-hop-inspired beats, even though, to my core, I knew that I wanted to make house music. Finally, after many years of searching for my music identity and sound, I landed on what you hear from me now. It’s a hybrid of house music and pop music.
6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?
PLASTIC PUNK:
I think the role/function of music is totally up to the listener. The reason I listen to music is spiritual though.
7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?
PLASTIC PUNK:
Yeah absolutely. It’s really cool to see all the playlists that I get added to. I get a lot of fulfillment from that.
8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?
PLASTIC PUNK:
Before I start a song, I have to think of an idea. For example, some ideas can be as small as beginning the song with a muted acoustic guitar. The next thing I do is start writing chord progressions. I’ll typically play around with those for a while till I find something that sounds good. Most songs take me one month or more to complete. I usually start writing all the lyrics after I finish 90% of the instrumentation.
I’ve only ever collaborated on one song. The song was Solar System feat. BLVCK BARBIE. For that song, Fay (BLVCK BARBIE) wrote all the lyrics. Every other song I’ve done has been 100% written and produced by me. I hire the vocalists.
9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
PLASTIC PUNK: The pandemic was pretty hard for me. I made some pretty cool music from it though.
10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
PLASTIC PUNK: I’m really proud of all the songs I made this year. I put a lot of heart into them.
11. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?
PLASTIC PUNK: This is going to sound crazy, but I’ve never had any haters talk about my music. Maybe one day haha.
12. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?
PLASTIC PUNK: I really enjoy making music in my home studio. The studio is an escape for me. I love it.
13. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?
PLASTIC PUNK: I think it’s up to the listener to interpret their own story about the song. That’s why music is so special.
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