PLINI, from Sydney, Australia, travels, eats, plays guitar & writes music. He also holds a Master of Architecture degree.
Up to this point, he has independently recorded and released a trilogy of EPs, a split-EP with Scottish artist Sithu Aye, and numerous singles, all of which you can hear on Bandcamp, YouTube, iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon and even, if you like, using the ancient technology of a Compact Disc Player.
Though essentially a solo project, PLINI has been fortunate enough to work with a number of very talented people, including Marco Minnemann, Chris Letchford, Troy Wright, Rick Graham and many others. He has also appeared as a guest soloist on recordings by a number of amazing artists, including Skyharbor, Intervals, Modern Day Babylon, David Maxim Micic, Jakub Zytecki, Novelists, Sithu Aye, and The Helix Nebula.
In this interview feature, we speak with PLINI about influences, the new project, and more.
Full Q&A, links, and streams can be found below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv_a6rlRjZk
Let’s dive a little deeper into You, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre(s) or style(s)?
When I first found artists like Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai, I was blown away by how much more you could do with a guitar than what I had already discovered in the punk and rock bands I was listening to at the time. Through them, I found more artists like Dream Theater and Opeth and Guthrie Govan and Tigran Hamasyan and got completely hooked on all these various forms of progressive music.
How long have you been creating and sharing your music with the public?
About 5 or 6 years now – I started just posting small clips and ideas on guitar forums and eventually started putting full songs on bandcamp.
Who or what influences your playing and/or writing? Also, what motivates you to keep going?
In the beginning, guys like Steve Vai and Dream Theater, but lately I’m finding myself inspired by anything from food to conversations and walking around different cities. I don’t know what motivates me, I just have some innate desire to make noise!
Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?
To make a concise but interesting body of work, representative of where my head is currently at in terms of composition and arrangement!
What was the last song you listened to?
“System” by Brotherly.
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
MP3s – I used to collect CDs but realized it was just becoming a waste of space and plastic. Maybe when I’m older I’ll get a vinyl player and buy all my favourite childhood albums and sit on a verandah listening to them, but for now MP3 is definitely the format of preferance.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
As an artist, definitely Bandcamp – it offers the fairest modern distribution method and is the reason I’m able to continue making music. Spotify and Apple Music are both revolutionary but also working in favour of the consumer rather than the artist.
Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what are one or two of the biggest challenges you face when trying to attract listeners to your music?
I’m not sure I’ve come across any real challenges – using social media to keep a fan base updated is somewhat of a challenge with all the new algorithms inhibiting post reach etc, but I’ve been generally pretty amazed with how my music has spread just through word of mouth.
Do you gig, tour or perform? Do you ever live stream? Where can music lovers see you live?
This year I will have spent about 4 months playing in the USA, Canada, Europe and Australia. I’d love to do a live stream at some point – maybe someday soon!
Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more of your music?
Facebook.com/Plini is the best way to get in touch, and is I will generally post any new content!
Any last thoughts? Shout outs? Words of wisdom?
Shout out to anyone who checks out the new album, and everyone who has supported me thus far! <3
