P.E.
Photo by Andrew Jansen
Meet P.E.
Raise your hand if you ever had to run a mile in gym class.
Raise your hand if you never showered after gym class.
Raise your hand if you ever even went to gym class.
I never did any of these things, so I have no right to judge. The idea of “physical education” makes me think of tiny whistles and very short nylon shorts. A lot of pre-pubescent angst gets thrown in there too, so it’s all a bit weird.
The band P.E., is also a bit weird, but in a GOOD WAY. In the thick of the DIY scene, this Brooklyn set makes tunes for a good time. Experimental and influenced by art-punk, they’re no strangers to improv. Ahead of the release of their upcoming album Person, we chit-chatted all things gear, live-performance spontaneity, and lament the loss of some excellent venues.
Give it a read, then for goodness sake, please go put on a show in your living room.
K, thx, bye.
Some Questions With P.E.
What is the creative process like between all of you?
JS: Show up, turn on, have fun, get weird.
Could you translate your creative process to a mathematical formula?
JC: YOU + ME = US
What was your most memorable performance, and why?
JS: Every time we’re playing together is memorable and exciting. The project started as a one-off collaborative improv set, but the natural chemistry & language we shared was striking from the first time we set foot in the room together. Our first (and, for a long time, only) show in June 2018 was so bizarre and fun that it convinced us to go into the studio and keep doing what we had started.
Where do you begin when starting to create a new song?
VT: This first collection of songs came out of improvisation and experimentation in the recording studio. It’s been super interesting to see what we coax out of each other, especially when collaborating with new people. I was a little shy about some of my weirder lyrics, but turns out Bob and Jonny S are also just weirdo freaks <3
What gear do you use to accomplish the sound on your 2020 album “Person”
JS: The centerpiece of the sound on Person is Bob’s EMU SP-1200 sampling drum machine from the 80’s. We had it setup in the studio so that we could record in beats, voices, Ben’s sax, the vacuum cleaner, or whatever else seemed inspiring in the moment, and manipulate the sound in all of its 12-bit glory.
Do you have a piece of musical gear that you have been really into lately?
JC: My bro Nick made a photo-synthesizer (light sensitive) box that Ben has been playing live. It has only 2 knobs: one for scale and one oscillator. Ben has been using its raw tone to emulate a saxophone for solos, and its more textural tones for some background noise.
How do you translate your sound to a live performance?
JS: It was essential for us to retain the spontaneity and “anything-goes” aesthetic of our recording/writing approach in our live show. The songs are loosely scripted and change from performance to performance - I don’t think we’ve ever done a song the same way twice, and some are completely made up every time! It keeps us on our toes, makes us play better as a group, and heightens both the sense of fun and the sense of danger… all quite on-brand for us.
What is your take on the DIY scene in NYC right now?
VT: It’s been a huge bummer to lose so many great venues in the past few years. DIY shows / community spaces have always faced opposition and NYC has a rich history of this to reference - blame it on capitalism, blame it on gentrification and rising rents, blame it on the cops. What we really need is government funding for the arts, but until we get there I know that somewhere in this city some kids are dreaming up a show in a bodega/parking lot/rooftop/abandoned church basement. We need spaces where monetary value is removed as the central goal of creation and the focus is on community, expression, and connection in all its diversity.
Who are your favorite musicians active in NYC right now?
VT: Public Practice! Gustaf! Guerilla Toss!
JS: https://www.wharfcatrecords.com/
Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)
PRE-ORDER OUR FIRST RECORD PERSON ON WHARF CAT RECORDS - OUT MARCH 6, 2020!