Australian Musician PLINI Discusses His Debut Album, “Handmade Cities” And More!

Meet 24-year-old progressive Sydney guitarist/musician, PLINI!

He will release his highly anticipated debut full-length album, “Handmade Cities” on August 26th. The self-produced and self-managed sensation has developed a worldwide following after 3 highly successful and independently-released EPs, a corresponding transcription book, numerous endorsements and a strong of sold-out shows in the USA with Intervals; amassing over 5 million views on YouTube, with tens of thousands of fans on Facebook in all corners of the internet.

PLINI is currently on a festival and club tour with Animals As Leaders and Intervals.

His forthcoming record features world-class performances from Australian drummer phenomenon Troy Wright and bassist Simon Grove (The Helix Nebula) and artwork by long-time collaborator Alex Pryle.

The album includes the February single, “Every Piece Matters”, which PLINI used to raise over $7000 for RawImpactOrg, an Australian non-profit working in Cambodia to create sustainable livelihoods for families living in poverty.

Following the August 26th release of “Handmade Cities”, PLINI will embark on a national headlining tour in Australia.

Learn more about PLINI in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time! Now that we are more then half-way through 2016, what are some words you would use to describe it? What were some of the highlights of 2015 for you?

Being from Australia and touring with people from all over the USA and Europe, here are a few I’ve come across that should aptly describe the experience: all sick, dope AF, crucial, hella tight, surreal, amazing, not shot, sorted.

Growing up, did you always want to be a musician? Can you recall your earliest musical memory?

I don’t remember when I decided I actually wanted to be a professional musician but I always wanted to make music – I used to use pots and pans and pretend to be Ringo Starr.

How would you describe your sound specifically? What things do you think influence your music? 

Instrumental/progressive rock, or hopefully by using some combination of the words above 🙂

What does it feel like to finally be putting out your first album? How long have you been working on it? Was the process easier or harder then you expected it to be? Can you talk about how “Handmade Cities” exactly came together for you?

Exciting! It’ll be great to have a slightly lengthier body of work out there for people to check out. I started actually recording for it at the end of 2015, but some of the ideas on it are from 2011 and earlier. I didn’t really have any expectations of the process, but once the ideas for the tracks had materialized it was a fairly smooth and very fun process of tweaking arrangements and going over the top with adding little layers and things that no one will ever hear.

Where do you get the inspiration for your music? Is that constantly changing? How do you think your sound has grown on “Handmade Cities” compared with your previously released EPs?

I’m inspired by everything around me – music, people, architecture, landscapes, experiences; it all gets rolled into it in some way or another. There’s probably a slightly harder edge to this material than previously, and more attention to detail in the lead playing and arrangements.

What are some songs on this first collection that you are particularly proud of or excited for people to hear?

I’m fond of the whole thing! But the title track and the last track “Cascade” are probably my favourites at the moment.

I’d love to know more about how your single “Every Piece Matters” has been used to raise money for RawImpactOrg? How did you get involved with this non-profit?

I studied architecture at university and one of the electives was designing a community center for a rural village in Cambodia for the non-profit RawImpact. At the end of the course, I traveled to Cambodia to help construct it. I had such a great time working as part of their team that I decided, even if I couldn’t physically take part in the next project, it would be awesome to help fundraise for it. That track raised over 6000 Australian dollars 🙂

What has it been like touring with Animals As Leaders and Intervals? What have you learned from all of them?

Mostly, all kinds of American and Canadian slang. Besides that – a lot about music, gear, touring, and that they are all some of the best people I’ve ever met!

With all the touring that you do, I’m curious to know where you happiest-on stage performing live, in the recording studio working on new material or elsewhere?

All of the above. Since this year is the first time I’ve properly toured, I’m enjoying every minute of travelling around and performing, but always love putting together music at home.

Are you looking forward to heading out on your own headlining tour after the album comes out? What venues are you excited to play at?

I’m taking Intervals on my Australian headliner the week after the album comes out, and would love to work toward headlining in the USA and Europe in the next couple of years.

Who are some of your favorite artists? Who would you love to work with in the future?

Steve Vai, Dream Theater, Tigran Hamasyan, Karnivool, Meshuggah, Disperse… the list is endless. In terms of collaborations, I’d love to work with vocalists, electronic artists, and of course guys like Jakub Zytecki and Tosin Abasi on something more guitar-centric.

At the end of the day, what do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope listeners take away from your songs?

Happiness, peace, love – or any personal impact that is going to improve their day/week/life in some way 🙂

Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about yourself or your music?

Hope you enjoy it!