Quarantine has had us all bored out of our minds, and many of us have been spending our time mindlessly scrolling through our phones, listening to hours of music or binging a whole series in one day. For me, i've been expanding my taste in music by checking out a whole array of emerging artists. I was recently introduced to Police Car Collective, an indie duo from Liverpool, UK and despite only having a few tracks out, I instantly fell in love with their sound (Seriously, I am obsessed). The duo is made up of primary songwriter and vocalist Tyler Plazio and bassist Simon Quigley, who take inspiration from the likes of the 1975 and wallows. Their style reflects the familiar 80s nostalgia drenched indie vibe that we all know and love, yet they manage to bring something entirely unique to the table. I was lucky enough to speak with Tyler from PCC, where we discussed their creative process, the impact of social media on the music industry and more.
You can read the full interview right here:
Q. Could you tell me a little bit about you guys?
Tyler: Well, our bio says we are a ‘two-piece indie outfit from Liverpool, pushing the boundaries of indie pop’. So there you go I guess!
Q. Describe your sound in three words
Tyler: Not a rock band. I cheated.
Q. What first got you into music?
Tyler: A combination of getting a Walmart acoustic guitar when I was six and my dad showing me Mötley Crüe for the first time.
Q. Which musicians do you admire?
Tyler: Bowie is a big one for me, I actually got a Bowie tattoo the day I graduated high school. But I also admire a lot of my friends that play music. Joey Burcham who produces our shit, Darryl Rahn, my girlfriend Nicoletta who is in a sick group called The Let Go. Too many to name really.
Q. Where did you two meet?
Tyler: Simon actually went on a Tinder double date with one of my friends at the time and my girlfriend and I. Didn’t really work out for him and the girl but he and I had a good time.
Q. What’s your creative process like?
Tyler: I guess I would be considered the ‘primary’ songwriter or whatever, although I hate saying that because it sounds so one-sided. But more often than not I will demo out an initial idea and then Simon will sort of do his thing and then we’ll flesh it out from there. Then we send it to Joey and he does his thing and makes us sound all professional and that.
Q. What’s the music scene like in Liverpool?
Tyler: It’s pretty incredible, there are so many amazing bands right now. We really dig The DSM IV, Guy is such a cool dude. Monks are another group I like, their drummer Kali is one of my better friends I’ve made since moving here.
Q. If you could open a show for any artist who would it be?
Tyler: Probably The 1975. Although if I’m allowed to say artists who aren’t around anymore I’d have to say Bowie. Also Kanye.
Q. How do you feel the internet/social media has impacted the music industry?
Tyler: I think that’s a really loaded question. There are definite upsides and downsides. I think the access of streaming is great, I personally use Spotify and I love the immediacy of it, however something needs to be done about paying artists. I think COVID has really brought that issue to light, since live music hasn’t existed for months at this point. As far as social media goes, I know it’s sort of trendy to say that you hate it, but I have to say I think it’s a necessary evil in the industry nowadays. That being said, if I could delete all my socials tomorrow I would. Get off the internet and that.
Q. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Tyler: True friendship is being able to acknowledge that sometimes your friends are going to be dicks, and letting them go through that, and still be their friend on the other side.
Q. Anything exciting planned for the future?
Tyler: Short answer yes, although I am aware that is the worst answer to that question. I can say that we are always always always working on something. I am terrified a day will come when I no longer have motivation to create something new. But as of now, the answer to that question will always be yes.
Q. Finally, where can people listen to your music?
Tyler: Anywhere you listen to music really! The easiest way to find us is here:
If you enjoyed reading this interview, then you must go and check out Police Car Collective right now! If you're a fan of Wallows, the 1975 or even Tyler, the Creator then you will certainly love them as much as I do. Their latest song 'I guess it's over now' is available to download on all major streaming platforms and will also be featured on their upcoming EP 'Dog Days'.
Big thanks to Police Car Collective for taking part in this interview.
Article and questions by @poppymaeg
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