pet scan have been described as “space music from earth”. Their latest release “sick on years” is a cosmic mindbender full of rich soundscapes and ambient textures.
I caught up with pet scan leader Michael to talk about their early musical experiences, how they started composing sounds and the making of the new record.
CMM-What was the first music that really made an impact on you as a kid and what artist or band did you enjoy the most?
Michael-As a young kind, if we’re going back to single-digit ages, I just listened to whatever pop music was on the radio like I imagine most kids do. I suppose when I developed more individual interests, the people who grabbed my attention the most were groups like Depeche Mode, New Order, and especially The Cure. The Cure were the first band I remember consciously thinking of as my “favorite band.” I also loved remixes, so of course more synth-heavy or electronic artists were great for that.
CMM-How did you start writing songs and developing your own sound?
Michael-I’ve been making music in one way or another for a long time, but for pet scan specifically: this project started right at the beginning of COVID-19, when I was at home all the time. I’d just have ideas I wanted to try out, different combinations of effects pedals or whatever, and I’d record short sketches of things. Some of them eventually became finished tracks. I had also just started to play bass in a band, called Thisness, so pet scan became an opportunity for me to play guitar and mess with electronics instead of sticking to just bass. As well as to try to get better at recording and mixing, etc.
CMM-You recently released a record called “sick on years”. What was the writing and recording process like and were there any particular pieces of gear you used to get the sound you were looking for?
Michael-I recorded the first pieces of what eventually because this album about five years ago, with no plans to do anything with it. At some point I thought, “Maybe I’ll finish two or three tracks and put them up on Bandcamp.” Then I ended up working on it very little for the next couple of years. I came back to it more recently after having gotten a little more proficient using Logic Pro, as well as having picked up a few inexpensive synths (mostly Behringer’s clones of vintage pieces, I’ll admit it, but also a Korg Minilogue). I think my original idea for the overall sound was more guitar-focused, maybe something like Flying Saucer Attack but with heavier beats. When I came back to it more recently, though, I ended up incorporating more synths, trying out more ideas, and that motivated me to finish an album worth of stuff.
CMM-If you could do a score for any film director, who would it be and what would the film be about?
Michael-This is a very difficult question, but I suppose if going back in time is allowed I’d say David Lynch. A Lynchian cyberpunk romance would be awesome to score.
CMM-Anything coming up?
Michael-Since I approached pet scan as a solo project and really as just an outlet to experiment, I haven’t really figured out how best to perform any of it. I’d like to at some point, I suppose, but no plans as of now. I’ll continue to tinker with it, so I’m sure I’ll have more to release at some point.
I will plug my band Thisness, though. We’re a post-punk group based in Central Arkansas, with a couple of shows on the books for this coming April. April will also mark one year since we released our second album, Chimera. CDs, downloads, and merch available on Bandcamp!
