A Permanent Shadow (Spain)

Interview with CP Fletcher
https://www.facebook.com/apermanentshadow/

A Permanent Shadow is a band for want of a better description. Its only fixture is CP Fletcher who for his recordings surrounds himself with a rotating cast of musicians and producers. A Permanent Shadow’s music is a blend of old and new. Amidst a wealth of inspirational artists, CP cites LCD Soundsystem, NIN and David Bowie as his biggest influences, encompassing post-punk, funk-punk and synth-pop. In the following chat with CP Fletcher you can read more on his musical career, biggest influences, and his upcoming new LP entitled Half-Century Dead End.

Metal Revolution: Hola A Permanent Shadow. How are you doing? Thanks for taking some time to chat with us!
A Permanent Shadow: Thank you for having me, it’s a pleasure!

MR: Would you be kind to introduce your band for the readers of this webzine still unfamiliar with your music?
APS: We play electronic rock, but actually when I say “we” it really is myself and two producers. There is no real band in place, I just didn’t want to use my own name for this project. So far, we’ve released three albums and two EP’s, and a fourth album is on its way.

MR: Will you agree with me if I describe your sound as a blend of post-punk, funk-punk, electronic rock and synth-pop? Is it a fitting description of your sound, or would you add anything?
APS: I think this sums it up pretty accurately. I don’t think much about labels or musical styles, I just record music that I like.

MR: What does ‘A Permanent Shadow’ name refer to? Why did you choose this moniker for your project?
APS: It has various different meanings. It refers to dark spots on the moon, certain skin conditions and also to depression. I like the sound of it, and as my lyrics tend to be rather bleak, it’s quite fitting.

MR: CP Fletcher, you’re the only core member of the band, but for your recordings you surround yourself with a rotating cast of musicians and producers. Why is that? The best way to channel your own ideas without compromising?
APS: Absolutely. Bands to me always reek of compromise or resentment if they are a dictatorship. I’ve been in many bands as a drummer, and I still am, and you rarely find the right balance where everyone is happy with their role. For my own songs, I didn’t want to argue with a guitar player why there is no solo, or with a keyboardist why his pad is so low in the mix. I’ve had enough of that for three lifetimes.

MR: Would you now introduce your new LP entitled Half-Century Dead End?
APS: The LP will be out in January. It’s been ready for a while. I started writing this record back in 2020, and it took a while to get it done. It’s mainly a self-assessment, analysing life and my current self from different angles. Musically, there are some mellower songs on it, and lots of synthesizers, of course.

MR: Where and under what conditions were you recording the most recent album? Who was in charge of sound, production and mastering?
APS: I did preproduction with a very skilled piano player and composer, who helped with the arrangements. Then in the studio, the producer, who is also a multi-instrumentalist, helped me flesh out the demos. I take care of the lyrics, but for the music I have a very open mind and am happy to give credit to other, more skilled people. The core team on my records consists of myself, Valen Nieto and Albert Català.

MR: How many copies of Half-Century Dead End will be released and which medium will be used for this new edition (CD, digital, vinyl, cassette)?
APS: For No Leaf Clover, the previous album, the release was mainly digitally, but I also produced some CD copies in a cardboard sleeve that looked like a mini vinyl record. For the new one, I’m planning to do a limited vinyl release as well.

MR: Which song from No Leaf Clover resonates with you personally the most and why?
APS: There’s a song on it called “Little Ones”, it’s about people like Ian Watkins. The lyrics are quite brutal and it’s not likely to find any radio airplay, but I think it’s quite accomplished.

MR: You’ve also released the single “We’ll Be One”. What can you tell us about this particular song? What inspired you to choose this title?
APS: It’s a stalker song about a guy who’s in prison, ruminating on his life behind bars, without really understanding what got him there. He’s still hopeful though to one day reunite with the stalked victim, hence the song title.

MR: How does a song typically come together for you/A Permanent Shadow? I mean, how does your creative process work? What’s the creative process like when you make a new song?
APS: For me, it’s usually lyrics first, and then I write the music around the lyrics. At best there is a melody that has been around for a while, and there’s a set of lyrics, and they fit together. At worst, writing songs is like pulling teeth.

MR: How do you balance the dark, cold atmosphere of post-punk with the high-energy, danceable groove of funk-punk without them clashing?
APS: I think post-punk was already a very danceable form of music. In terms of timeline, it coincided with disco and I think a bit of disco blended into post-punk and new wave anyway. So, it’s not much of a stretch to emphasize on the dance element.

MR: When writing a new song, does it usually start with a physical groove (bass/drums) or a digital texture (synths/electronics)?
APS: Being a drummer, it’s mainly lyrics and vocal melodies over beats. I may have a faint idea what I want the bass, guitar, and synths to sound like, but I leave it very open in the studio. Recording is most exciting when accidents happen.

MR: What about the lyrical content? Has it also changed during the years or is the core still the same?
APS: My lyrics tend to be very uncomfortable and usually don’t tackle the typical set of themes. It has always been one of my main propositions to avoid lyrical clichés.

MR: What are your biggest influences? If I remember correctly, your music has been compared to the likes of Nine Inch Nails, LCD Soundsystem and David Bowie, as his biggest influences. Do you agree in this analogy?
APS: Definitely. David Bowie for me is the biggest influence. NIN and LCD are huge Bowie fans, so there’s a Bowie element in their music as well. I seem to like bands that are heavily influenced by Bowie, such as Echo & The Bunnymen, Psychedelic Furs, Placebo, etc.

MR: If your music was the soundtrack to a sci-fi movie or dystopian novel, which one would it be?
APS: Greenland Parts One and Two. I can imagine “We’ll Be One” sounding over the end credits.

MR: If you had to perform one cover for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
APS: We did a couple of covers EP’s a while ago, and one of the songs is “Raincheck” by a very little known 90’s band called Tin Star. I can’t ever get enough of this song, so I wouldn’t mind playing it night after night.

MR: What are some other hobbies and passions you guys have, regardless of music?
APS: I love to travel. Long-distance travel is cool and glamorous, but even in Spain, where I live, there are so many unknown territories, let alone in the rest of Europe. If I could I would spend my whole life on the move.

MR: How can people reach your band & music?
APS: The best way is to get in touch via our IG account, apermanentshadow, or through our website www.apermanentshadow.com

MR: What can fans expect to see coming next from you?
APS: Before the album release in January, we’ll have a few more singles out from autumn onwards. We usually produce some cool videos for our singles, and for the next few those are already in the can.

MR: Please tell the last words to the fans and our readers out there to finish this great conversation.
APS: Support grassroot music and indie bands!