Q&A with LA-Based Alternative Rock Band – RAW FABRICS

RAW FABRICS just released their second EP titled Plastic Joy on August 18th. This LA-based alternative rock band is known for their Warhol-esque imagery and fondness of over the top jungle drums and sounds.

The band which consists of Jack  Franco (vocals, guitar), Jon Fredrik (drums), and Justus Dixon (bass, mpc/synth) have also shared the stage with the likes of Alt-J and Weezer. After releasing their critically acclaimed debut EP Gold Handcuffs in 2014 and finishing their first national headline tour, the band headed to the studio with legendary engineer Joe Chiccarelli who has worked with Morrissey, U2, The Strokes.

Plastic Joy serves as something of a clarion call for the group, unveiling strains of soul through a siphon of sizzling electronic textures, throbbing distortion, and hypnotic crooning.

All Access Music writer, Nicole DeRosa had a chance to catch up with the band between music video shoots. Read more in her chat with vocalist / guitarist, Jack Franco below!

Hi Jack! How are you today? What’s on the agenda today besides our interview?

Hey Nicole! Today we’ve working on the final edits of a new music video and have band practice later on. (We’re always busy working on something)

For those that are not familiar with RAW FABRICS and your music, how did you get your start? Who or what was the catalyst for you to want to live the life of a musical gypsy?

We started the band about 3 years ago when Jon and I met. All of us have been playing music for a long time and we were looking to start a band. We all got into music at an early age and when you do that it makes it really hard to stop, its so fun. I think when we were younger we were all inspired by bands like Green Day and Nirvana.

What did you learn between your previous work (Gold Handcuffs EP from 2014), collaborations and playing live, that you felt you wanted to infuse into your latest EP, Plastic Joy?

We wanted to mix some of our electronic influences into our music a little more this time around. Messing with weird sounds and samples. Building songs out of vocal loops, stuff like that. That was the main shift we wanted to include on our new EP.

You guys worked with legendary engineer, Joe Chiccarelli (Morrisey, U2, The Strokes) What was it like working with Joe?

It was really awesome, Joe is such a nice guy. We recorded all the songs in one day so it was a really fast intense session. Joe helped us get what we wanted as effortlessly as possible and he’s got great stories about working on awesome records which is inspiring in the studio.

What was the inspiration for your new single, “Dead Instruments”? Did you help come up with the treatment for the video as well?

It was written about promoting creativity. Yeah, we came up with the video treatment and I directed it too. It was pretty intense performing and directing but I’m really happy about how the video came out.

Who have been your inspirations growing up that also inspire you today?

I’ve been a fan of U2 for a long time. Bands like The Killers, The Beatles, Beastie Boys. It’s all over the place.

What was the first album you bought?

It must have been the Dazed and Confused soundtrack with “Low Rider” on it…haha It’s such a classic!

What was the first song you fell in love with and why?

I think it might have been “All The Small Things” by Blink 182 I was 8 or 9.

Who is in your current playlist? What artists or bands are in current rotation for you?

I’ve been listening to a lot of The Beatles, The Killers, and Drake.

What’s on tap next for RAW FABRICS? What are you most excited about for this year?

Later in the year we’re playing a gig with Awolnation and some tour dates with Night Terrors of 1927 I’m really excited about!

Learn more about RAW FABRICS by visiting them HERE .

You can purchase the band’s PLASTIC JOY EP on iTunes HERE .