Show notes
This episode features an energetic conversation between Pipeman and members of the band Plush, recorded at Rocklahoma Festival. The discussion dives into the wild culture of Rocklahoma's campgrounds, handling extreme festival heat, the inspiration and creative processes behind Plush’s new album "Mass Hysteria," and thoughts on growth, authenticity, and breaking genre boundaries in music.Main Topics CoveredPlush’s history and experiences at Rocklahoma FestivalThe wild and unique campground culture at RocklahomaSurviving and performing in extreme festival heatBehind the scenes of Plush’s upcoming album "Mass Hysteria"Artistic evolution and outgrowing older songsBreaking down music industry stereotypes and embracing diverse musical tastesDetails on Plush’s new album pre-sale, release date, and social mediaThe importance of authenticity and self-expression in artistryKey Discussions & StoriesPlush at RocklahomaPlush celebrates their third year at Rocklahoma, reflecting on the festival’s unique after-hours scene and crazy campground stories, including a “strip club campsite” and makeshift bars offering free shots in exchange for wild dares and Mardi Gras-style bead giveaways 00:43 – 03:05.The group discusses the camaraderie and creativity among festival campers, including custom-made bracelets and themed school buses like “Buses, Boobs, and Buttholes” 03:07.Performance ChallengesThe challenges and delirium of playing live in extreme heat, with stories of a 120-degree stage and ill-advised wardrobe choices 05:54 – 07:46.The band shares how performing helps them “dissociate the heat out,” and how training in hot home studios conditions them for festival gigs 06:26."Mass Hysteria" – New Album & Creative GrowthInsights into their heaviest music yet on "Mass Hysteria," inspired by the chaos of the current world 08:27 – 09:01.Reflections on maturing as musicians, outgrowing older material, and the excitement of performing new songs that better represent their current artistry 09:13 – 10:41.The drive to make music that’s more true to their own tastes—heavier, more authentic, reflecting what they actually listen to 12:13.Breaking Stereotypes & Genre BoundariesHumorous anecdotes about artists like Vanilla Ice and Christina Aguilera secretly being metalheads, challenging perceptions of what artists “should” sound like 13:53.A candid critique of genre gatekeeping, with passionate discussion about the value of musical diversity and rejecting narrow-mindedness in music communities 15:57 – 16:52.Upcoming Album & Ways to ConnectAnnouncement of Plush’s "Mass Hysteria" album release on September 18th and details of pre-sale bundles 17:17.Socials and website for following Plush and accessing pre-sales:Website: plushrocks.netInstagram & X: @PlushRocksFacebook: Plush OfficialNotable Quotes"Time flies when you're having fun at Rocklahoma.""There is actually a strip club campsite that when the main— like tomorrow night after the headliner, everybody will be lined up out there.""You either gotta show your boob or boobs or your butthole. It doesn't matter if you're female, male, whatever, non-binary. It doesn't matter what you are.""It's definitely one of the craziest crap I've ever seen at a festival is Rocklahoma, in the best way possible.""It's hard to sit there and perform the songs that you don't really feel connected to anymore.""This is what we want to do. We should go heavier because, like, this is more authentic to who we are anyway.""We need to stop all the bullshit and just...