01Profile
A Artificial Pleasure Photo
Artificial Pleasure
Musicians — Isleworth
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Phil McDonnell, from Isleworth, in the outskirts of London.
What do you do?
I play the guitar and sing lead vocals for Artificial Pleasure.
Describe your style in three words?
Slap dash chic.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Pulp at Reading. When 'Common People' hits its peak, it's hard to think of many moments in music that are that powerful.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
The Clash and Talking Heads. They're both big influences for us. I love the in your face energy of The Clash and the frantic vocal delivery of David Byrne but both of them have this rhythmic drive that hits you really hard in the chest. Nothing they did was obvious, they've both carved their own paths.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Punk for its DIY ethic and simplicity.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Oliver Reed, he was a total animal so an hour would be enough. I wouldn't remember it but I'd never forget it.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Klub B90, Gdansk.
Who is your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Our sound guy Will Donbavand. He's a very calm, gentle guy who keeps us in check and takes the weight off us. A huge number of people in the industry work on the technical side, they make you look and sound as good as possible but don't get any of the glory.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'The Animal Song' by Loudon Wainwright III.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Morning Theft' by Jeff Buckley.
One record you would keep forever?
'Is This It' by The Strokes.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
“Tropical hot dog night,
Like two flamingoes in a fruit fight,
Like stepping out of a triangle,
Into striped light.”
'Tropical Hot Dog Night' by Captain Beefheart.
A song you wished you had written?
'Tonight' by Iggy Pop.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Kebabträume' by D.A.F.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Ding Dong Song' by Gunther & The Sunshine Girls.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Say It Ain't So' by Weezer.
Any new bands you are listening to now?
'Remember' by Lea Porcelain.
'Multiplex' by Left With Pictures.
'I Saw The Days Go By' by Lost Horizons.
'Danish Pastry Lyrics' by Porridge Radio.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Phil McDonnell, from Isleworth, in the outskirts of London.
What do you do?
I play the guitar and sing lead vocals for Artificial Pleasure.
Describe your style in three words?
Slap dash chic.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Pulp at Reading. When 'Common People' hits its peak, it's hard to think of many moments in music that are that powerful.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
The Clash and Talking Heads. They're both big influences for us. I love the in your face energy of The Clash and the frantic vocal delivery of David Byrne but both of them have this rhythmic drive that hits you really hard in the chest. Nothing they did was obvious, they've both carved their own paths.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Punk for its DIY ethic and simplicity.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Oliver Reed, he was a total animal so an hour would be enough. I wouldn't remember it but I'd never forget it.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Klub B90, Gdansk.
Who is your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Our sound guy Will Donbavand. He's a very calm, gentle guy who keeps us in check and takes the weight off us. A huge number of people in the industry work on the technical side, they make you look and sound as good as possible but don't get any of the glory.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'The Animal Song' by Loudon Wainwright III.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Morning Theft' by Jeff Buckley.
One record you would keep forever?
'Is This It' by The Strokes.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
“Tropical hot dog night,
Like two flamingoes in a fruit fight,
Like stepping out of a triangle,
Into striped light.”
'Tropical Hot Dog Night' by Captain Beefheart.
A song you wished you had written?
'Tonight' by Iggy Pop.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Kebabträume' by D.A.F.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Ding Dong Song' by Gunther & The Sunshine Girls.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Say It Ain't So' by Weezer.
Any new bands you are listening to now?
'Remember' by Lea Porcelain.
'Multiplex' by Left With Pictures.
'I Saw The Days Go By' by Lost Horizons.
'Danish Pastry Lyrics' by Porridge Radio.
Artificial Pleasure | Wound Up Tight (2017)
Artificial Pleasure | I'll Make It Worth Your While (2016)