Plum (photo by Jannica Honey)
1) Who are you, who is in the band, who does what in the studio and on stage?
I am Shona Maguire, Plum was my childhood nickname. I’m a solo act, but I have worked with other musicians and different live set ups. I produce, record, write and perform everything. I get assistance at the mixing and mastering stage from Trav Munro, a total legend.
2) How long have you been writing and performing in this way?
For the past 6 years, since I left music production college really – though the live set up has changed a lot in that time. I have collaborated with other musicians such as Roman Nose, TeKlo, Araya, Capitals etc.
3) Your (current) style is predominantly electronic, isn’t it? How exactly do you work / write / record? Have you ever done it any other way? If so, how did you do it before and why did you chose this method for your current music…?
I don’t exactly work in any way. It’s a lot of trial and error. I usually write lyrics separately when something is on my mind, and I alter them to fit with a track that I will usually write to fit the emotion. I play about with sounds. I play about with effects. I do some field recordings for extra texture.
I previously worked with a live drummer for the live set up, (Sam Healy) and Martin Sweeny used to control the MPD and keys live. I had to sack him because everyone thought he was my producer just because there was a man in the band pressing buttons. We’re good pals, so this is a running joke.
4) How do you feel your studio/recording style informs the way you perform your music live? Does it make it easier or harder, better etc…?
It probably makes it harder to perform live. I’m not sure. I don’t generally write specifically thinking about performing the music live, which is why I think it might make it harder. All the trial and error eventually leads to about 30 tracks of sound playing at the same time, then I edit out what I don’t think is relevant any more. Whatever is left I then need to learn to play or sample live.
5) What’s been happening lately and what’s new with you?
I moved to Brighton in July, 6 days later I broke my wrist. They told me I might not be able to play guitar or bass again. I’ve been seeing a physio to get the movement back (last week was able to play bar chords on the guitar again)…I still managed a one arm gig the day after (completely buzzing on painkillers…and obviously I had to ditch the guitar and bass tracks).
I played White Island Festival in Ibiza on 7th September, in Ibiza Castle, which was cool, but all of my equipment got stolen. Not been the best run of luck for me…but Betsy Thunder, my new EP is out on 20th October, it will be available on my website and via iTunes, Amazon, etc, so I’m really looking forward to sending that into the world. And I’ve got a good new set up since having to replace everything (albeit some of it is on long term loan).
6) When was the last time you played Edinburgh (and where)? What do you remember about that experience?
My last Edinburgh gig was at Sneaky Pete’s, and it was my leaving party too. Great gig, great night out, I was considerably broken the next day.
7) If you’ve played Limbo before, what did you like/rate about the experience? If you’ve not played Limbo before, what have you heard about it?
I think Limbo is a brilliant night. You always pick a great line up of people, you have a great following of people. It’s always a fun night.
8) What’s next, coming up after this gig, for you and what are you generally looking forward to right now…?
Working on new material, focusing on getting more gigs in the South. Making friends in the Brighton area, etc.
9) How do you feel about Scottish independence and the whole ‘Yes’ campaign? Have you decided which way you’re voting yet (and, if so, what’s your decision)?
I no longer am entitled to vote for Independence – I live in England now :/ but generally I think the people need a lot more information to be able to decide. How might it work, what will be our main income, will The Crown Estate pass profits to the Scottish Government etc etc. There’s not enough information to vote at this stage.
10) Is there anything else you feel strongly about that you’d like to tell us about right now?
I’m a member of Female Pressure, which is an international collective of female musicians in electronic music. We are trying to promote more equality when booking artists for festivals. The proportion of female to male acts is ridiculously small in festival bookings. That’s an issue I feel pretty strongly about. I think radio playlists and festivals should have to account for it a bit more – more equality. It’s not easy being a female artist in a male dominated scene. I still fully believe the music has to be good enough, but I’d love to see a reduction in the amount of sexism experienced – we are in the 21st century after all.
