Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Cruel Ploy
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
Realizing the radio lied. The happy songs felt fake. The loud ones felt honest. We stuck with the loud ones.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
We got tired of pretending feelings weren’t messy. So we started writing them down instead of bottling them up.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
EVOL is about obsession disguised as romance. Carcinogens is what happens after the smoke clears. It’s not subtle. That’s intentional.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
We like to call it FunkyPunkGrungyEmoGothRockHop…with a dash of jazz. Or, to keep it simply stupid, maybe Alt-rock with self-esteem and tension issues. Guitars that glare at you. Hooks that don’t apologize. Weird noises.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
Cut the filler. If a section doesn’t hit, it’s gone. We’re not here to waste anyone’s time. Especially ours.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
Distorted guitars. Clean (sometimes) melodies. Controlled chaos. And just enough production polish to make it dangerous and strange at the same time.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
Anything that makes us uncomfortable in the right way.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
We don’t invent drama. We observe it. Then we exaggerate it just enough to make people nervous.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
If it stings a little, good. That means it’s real.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
Intensity without discipline is noise. Discipline without intensity is boring. Balance both.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
Anywhere the crowd doesn’t want something safe. I mean, personal safety sure, but emotional safety? Nah.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Someone who isn’t afraid to make people uncomfortable.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music?
Spotify. Apple Music. Anywhere you stream something louder than your thoughts.
Instagram: @CruelPloy, -Twitter (X)- https://x.com/CruelPloy
Website: www.cruelploy.com
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
More arguing and late nights trying to write something listenable. Lots of coffee and emotional damage.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
We’re not cynical. We’re observant. We’re also nice people.
