Music Lately News 

-Who are all of the band members? And what do they do in the band?



Cody: The band members consist of myself, on vocals and guitar, Tyler Shippy on guitar, Shawn Callahan on bass, and Mike Tucker on drums.

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-What's the origin of your band name, Particles Like Planets? Have you changed the band's name before?



Tyler: It's a comparison between how big our problems and happiness are in our surroundings.. But in the grand scheme and scale of the universe they aren't so Big after all. As to scaling a particle to a planet. :p

-What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences?



Cody: ahhhhh that's a tough question, especially in this day and age where genres are slowly blending together; but if we had to narrow it down to a few I'd say Indie/Alternative with some aspects of pop thrown in the mix.  So with that being said we, like many bands today pull from a ton of sources. Some major influences across the board are bands like Young the Giant, Circa Survive, U2..anyone who can construct a SONG, not just parts, but craft a good song, will usually catch our ear; inspiring us to push our own sound further.

-How old were you when you started this band?

Cody: I was 23 when i started writing songs for what eventually became PLP. Tyler and I met fairly soon after that, and the rest was history. :)

-How long have you all known each other? How did you meet?
Tyler: We've known each other for a year and a half almost. Cody and myself met after a show of mine from a previous band and started talking about studio gear because we are both engineers. Not gonna lie I thought I was gonna dislike him until we just started talking about music/life and found out we were like the EXACT same person.

-When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music together?

Cody: We formed the in the summer of 2011, and honestly, it was for the pure love of the songs that were there, as cheesy as that might sound. It was the first time that everyone was on the same page and had the same goal in mind. I am so thankful for where PLP has already taken us, but im most thankful that its with my best friend.

-Do you have a record label? If so, what is it?



Cody: No

-What can you tell me about your instruments? (i.e., Are you subject to brand loyalty or will you play with whatever's available? What made you choose the instruments you have now? Was it cost or was it a style/model/brand/color preference?



Tyler: well, we are literally a band of gear nerds, so this question alone would take all night to answer, but it comes down to a blend of everything you said. style/play-ability/sound it is all important. 

-Where have you performed? What are your favorite and least favorite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?

Cody: We have performed all over, but one of my favorites would have to be the house of blues. That was a great stage, great show. We do have a few upcoming shows, and a few we havent announced yet, but we are playing with Lifehouse at the Date Festival in Indio, CA on Feb. 16th and we are super stoked for that.

-Which songs do you perform most frequently? Do you ever play any covers? Do you have a set play list for your shows?

Tyler: Warning, Just Hold On, Turn The Other Cheek, Out Of Reach, One More Chance, Simple Truth, Burden Of Proof.
We did have a set list for a bit.. But with the new record coming up, We play some songs from the first record we haven't played.. and we'll be playing some new songs starting February!

-Who writes your songs? Is it a group effort?

Tyler: We all write them, Cody really came up with the start of them, Like the spines of the songs.. then we just added to it. The record is really half and half. We would all bring songs to the table and just mess with them to fit our own personal liking as well as the rest of the group.. we never force anything.. if it feels forced, we scratch it. Still how we operate today, although we all have a flood of "spined" songs so we gotta filter through and pick the ones that really hit our heart. This record is already feeling bigger then we could have ever imagined.

-What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time?

Cody: Well each song i feel tells its own complete story, even if that story is unresolved, because typically and unresolved song, means an unresolved issue in my own life. The Owl In The Archer dealt with all kinds of topics, from my past, broken relationships, faith, and my own coming to terms with where i stand on that. The albums "story" actually unfolds in reverse. So if you start with Mass Affect, and end with Warning you have a brief overview of what the last few years of my life looked like.

-Could you briefly describe your music-making process?

Cody: I feel like Tyler really nailed it with writing question, because that rings true to how we craft songs as a whole. It is a really spontaneous experience. There have literally been times where we are just jamming a riff, then all of a sudden its a song and we all look at each other with this "what just happened" look. It is really magical.

-What are your rehearsals generally like? Do you have a set time each week in which you practice or are rehearsals more spontaneous?

Tyler: They're fun. We used to rehearse after hours at this old music shop.. there was a bar across the street so there was definitely some characters.. haha fights.. skin.. you name it.
We don't have a set schedule, kinda. But before a string of shows we make sure we get a solid couple weeks of rehearsals in. Really depends. Cody and myself run a Recording studio with Max from Arc Type Set/ The Dear Hunter, So when we're not playing shows or working on our record/writing.. We are usually working with other bands helping them craft their sound.

-How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?

Tyler: I'm so glad I got this question haha. When we first started it was the mind set of making it as cool sounding as possible all in the while.. we had a deadline.. So we really crammed writing and recording that record. Although that's what we do for a living(writing/recording), we didn't really know each other that well as people yet. So we just went with it. This new record, we are all on the same wavelength. We really are crafting songs we feel could be timeless if given the right amount of steam. Believe me we are putting everything we have into it to making it the best thing we've ever worked on.

-What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

Cody: I'd have to say that our biggest challenge as a band was also a big challenge in our life, just as friends. We had a falling out with our old bassist, Eric, and it was a tough time all around. But as they say, the show must go on.

-What's your ultimate direction for your band? Are you seeking fame and fortune?

Cody: Whatever level of fame and fortune that comes our way is irrelevant, playing music together is already the ultimate pay off.

-What advice do you have for people who want to form their own bands?

Tyler: Make sure the people that you surround yourself with want the same things.. these are people that will ultimately become your family. So if one just wants to "jam" and the other is putting everything they have into getting a publishing or record deal.. In most cases that's not gonna work out.
Don't give up. It's too easy in today's age to not at least get a stir going with a band.. Be smart and research how to do so.
But more importantly, enjoy yourself. I've had some of the best times of my life with these dudes.. make sure you stop and appreciate the little things every once in a while.

-How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard your music before?

Tyler: I pretty much catch myself saying "Indie Rock" all the time.. it's really the closest I can get.. "Like if Anthony Green and Bono had a baby it would be Cody.." I don't usually try and make a visual for people cause I like to hear what they think.. however that Anthony Green/ Bono thing is pretty close eh? :P

-How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?

As of right now you can download all of our music for free at particleslikeplanets.bandcamp.com
Or if you'd like to support us more directly you can download it on iTunes. All of that money goes into merch and tour funds.

-Website links in which other people can find your music, or more information for your band?

facebook.com/particleslikeplanets
twitter.com/plpofficial
youtube.com/plplanets
particleslikeplanets.bandcamp.com

-Would you ever do an interview like this with us again?

Cody:Sure!



-Would you like to do more fun/funny questions in another interview?

Cody: That could be really fun, we are a really over the top bunch of dudes. Could make for some good literature  ;)

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-Any last words?

Cody: Thank you so much for reaching out to us to do this interview, and a huge thank you to all our fans that have allowed us to grace their ears :) Can't wait to meet everyone who comes out to our shows this year. It's going to be a great one :)