We chat to Peach from yesterday's pupil, about his amazing new album, what he's been up to and a love for photography.
Q:
Ok, let’s start with the basics… you’re involved with various bands and acts and known by many names… including P.H, Pierre-Henri and more affectionately as Peach, tell us a bit about “Yesterday’s Pupil” though, where the name comes from and how you started making the music you do.
A:
I started making my own music in 2004 when music production was one of my subjects when I studied music. In 2007 I started playing live as YP and things started happening from there. "Today is yesterday's pupil" is a famous quote by Thomas Fuller. I really like it, I see it like this though: You know they saying "we may be through with the past but the past aint through with us" in that sense it is almost like Yesterday's PUPIL is always watching us. Everything we do and have done will have some kind of effect on our lives in the future....deep yo!
Q:
Apart from being a powerhouse in your own right, many people might not know that you come from quite a famous family , including some of SA’s favorite actors… did this have any influence on your path into the industry? And have you ever considered going into acting yourself?
A:
I studied acting at high-school and my plan was always to act, I still love it! But my love for music took over at some point or stage and that is what I am happy doing. My parents being actors hasn't affected my music career at all, if anything it helped because I grew up around stages and sets with cameras etc...
Q:
The first time I ever came to know about “Peach Van Pletzen”, was a few years back, watching probably the best piece of theatre I’ve ever seen, at the KKNK… a show called “2-21”, featuring yourself and Francois van Coke in animal suites, since then you’ve produced some amazing music with Francois, both as Oorlog Frankenstein and behind the scenes “Van Coke Kartel’s” genre defying “Skop,Skiet en Donner” Album… how did the meeting with Francois come about ?
A:
I have met Francois once or twice before and we knew one another from the industry. But then when we were put together by a company called "The President" to create music for this play we really started to get to know one another, we had lots of fun writing the music in the day and doing a bit of partying in the night. I wrote this electro piece of music and told him to sing on it and it just worked. He also loved our chemistry and he asked me to produce their next full length album Skop, Skiet en Donner. Then I really got to know those crazy bastards!
Q:
Since your first album “Errors Of Enthusiasm” came out, you’ve slowly but surely become a major player in South Africa’s cross over market, and built up quite a fan base, yet to spite this increase in followers, you’ve recently made a revolutionary move, by making your brand new album available as a totally free download… tell us a bit more about the album, in terms of style, marketing plan and how the decision was made to “give it away”.
A:
Music is free in one way or another. I decided I would prefer the fans to get the music directly from the source in a decent quality and format as opposed to some crappy youtube rip or something. IT also connects you more with the fans. The position I was in I basically had to choose between some money or more fans and I chose the fans. This album is much much better in terms of song writing and production, I feel as though I have- or I am closer to finding my sound.
The album will be released in five sequential parts with a two to three month interval in between. Each part will consist of two brand new original tracks accompanied by an artwork for each track as well as the lyrics and artist notes.
Q:
Styles and trends, in music are constantly changing, what is small today might end up being huge 10 years from now. As is the case with electronic music, which is bigger now, than it’s ever been… do you feel this had a big impact on you as an artist, and do where do you see music in South Africa and globally going in the future?
A:
It probably had some impact, I don't really follow any scene or trend to be honest. I learn from it and I will borrow whatever I want from it but I will never become it or let it become me. As technology grows music will try to keep up with it, who knows where it is going next... new and interesting sounds are being made and created every day by new plug-ins and apps and software/hardware etc... but all of it doesn't mean anything if there isn't a song at the core. Songs are timeless, the latest sounds... not so much.
Q:
. Another band you play a major role in, which seems to be doing extremely well at the moment, is the incredible “Bittereinder”, tell us a bit more about your role in the band, as well as the idea behind the name etc.
A:
Jaco came up with the name and he will have a better explanation. I am involved mainly in the production side of things, Louis and I write most of the music, although Jaco has also been known to bring some sweet musical elements to the table. I produce and mix the stuff and do a bit of vocals.
Q:
You’ve been collaborating with various artists for quite some time now, is there someone you would love to work with in future?
A:
Mmmm.
Q:
Besides the plethora of talents you’re known for, is there anything we don’t know about? Maybe a secret hidden passion or hobby?
A:
Haha, I really love taking photo's... that is my one solid hobby, I take pictures everywhere I go and keep them well organized. There are a few winning moments in the archives. I truly love it!
Q:
What’s playing on your IPOD/MP3 Player or Car radio right now?
A:
New rough work for Bittereinder that Louis and Jaco have been working on. New Trentemoller, New M83, New Elbow, New Sufjan Stevens and Queen!
Q:
What can we expect from you in the near and distant future?
A:
Much more music :)
Watch the official music video for Too Tired To Disco here:
Download SINGULARITY for FREE on the new YESTERDAY’S PUPIL website here:
