Miami Horror
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At first glance, popular Melbourne electronic-indie-pop hybrid Miami Horror is just another band vying to be different. Fresh from a hit single, a stack of attention and little downtime, Miami Horror is now reaping the benefits. There’s more depth and substance to Horror’s music that deflects some of the “overnight success” postings on the ‘net. The mastermind behind the group is producer Benjamin Plant. “I guess the songs we’ve produced have really stated to resonate with peopled. People can relate to the emotional elements and feelings contained within some of our songs,” says Plant.
Originally Plant (or DJ Plant) created the unit as a solo venture, but in late 2008 he decided to increase his entourage to include Josh Moriarty on guitar, DJ and producer Aaron Shanahan on drums and Dan Whitechurch on bass guitar/guitar and keyboard. Plant’s theory was sound enough: people who enjoy live music were more likely to engage with a band, rather than a DJ. He tells, “Dan and I had been best friends for a while and he was actually working with me at the time anyway. Josh had written some stuff on the EP, so were already working together. The only real difference is that we decided to make it into a live show,” he explains.
The band’s tight rapport is the result of hard graft. Having officially started in 2008 with five-track EP, Bravado, which spawned the single Don’t Be On with Her, Miami Horror can point to Plant for exposure and ensuing success, particularly as he’s remixed The Presets, Pnau and Block Party.
Plant and his Horror comrades have been pushing the alternative rock and electronic fusion. Lately that push has been thriving, particularly as the catchy Sometimes went mainstream. Plant seeks perfectionism. The brisk beats, together with soft and unwavering vocals and subtle guitars heard on plenty of Horror’s recent toils are meticulously arranged. “I’m a bit of a control freak. However Miami Horror’s style isn’t really unconventional. I wanted to do something that was more of a live and experimental sound and have been open to adding more guitars and keeping the length of songs short. I then combined all the elements and tried to make it sound something different,” he tells
Despite the band’s normal indie and electro tilt, debut album Illumination, which has been a good few years in the making, is different from the customary Miami Horror workings. Illumination has already garnered singles Sometimes and Moon Theory, as well as regurgitating tracks from EP Bravado. Some songs on Illumination were written back in Plant’s teenage years. Slated as a collection of songs written and produced by Plant over the past couple of years, Plant the producer and Plant as founding member of Miami Horror has advanced. “Making the album was a lengthy process. In the end, when I was able to detach from the album and music making process, I reckon it has hit the mark. So far reaction has been good. It’s a new direction for us as (the album) has a lot of influences, from the nostalgic sounds of the ‘70s like the Jackson 5 and the Supertramp era to psychedelic progressive stuff,” he reveals.
Plant and crew are about to embark on a tour of the US, pitching their style an audience known for their selective appreciation.
“Thanks to the internet and word of mouth, we’ve actually got a bigger following in the US than Europe. I don’t want to expect too much from the tour as you never know what can happen,” he says.
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Written by Stuart Evans
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