INTERVIEW: A Permanent Shadow discusses origins and influences alongside his stellar new single ‘Killer Boys’
A Permanent Shadow is ringing in the new year with ‘Killer Boys’, a dynamic mashup of Adamski’s ‘Killer’ and Sabrina’s ‘Boys (Summertime Love)’—a nostalgic tribute to the carefree summers of youth. Led by CP Fletcher, the only constant in the project’s ever-evolving lineup, A Permanent Shadow continue to blend post-punk, synth-pop, and funk-punk influences into a unique sonic identity.
With the new EP ‘Summertime Love’, set to drop in the coming weeks, CP dives into the inspiration behind ‘Killer Boys’, his creative process, and how A Permanent Shadow continues to evolve while paying homage to the sounds that shaped a generation.
–
What was the first rock song or artist that made an impact on you?
When I first heard “Let’s Dance” by David Bowie my life changed. I knew immediately that I wanted to get involved in music one way or other. The song is by no means Bowie’s best, but it was a door opener for me.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences within the rock genre?
Again, David Bowie. Through him I got into the likes of Lou Reed, Iggy Pop and later on Suede or Echo & The Bunnymen. These are still some of my favourite artists.
Are there any non-rock musicians or genres that have also influenced your music?
As a huge movie fan, I’ve always loved the strange world of the late David Lynch. Nothing he did was ever predictable or conventional, which I find very inspiring.
What is your main inspiration when looking to write new music?
Lyrically, I draw from personal experiences as well as literature, the news or any other type of stimulation. Sometimes things have an impact on you, and you feel compelled to write a song about them. Musically, things usually start with a rhythm pattern and a simple melody from which we build up the rest of the song.
What do you enjoy most about performing live and do you have any memorable live performance experiences you’d like to share?
With A Permanent Shadow we don’t play live much. As an independent solo artist, which is basically what this project is, it’s quite a financial burden to put together a band and go out and play. I rather spend the money on recording and videos.
What has been a particularly rewarding moment in your musical journey so far?
On our first album we covered “See The Lights” by Simple Minds. Jim Kerr somehow heard our version and shared it on social media, calling it one of the best SM covers ever. As a huge Simple Minds fan, that was the best kind of recognition!
How would you define success as a musician?
Artistic success is the most important thing, first and foremost. I think you need to feel good and satisfied about your output, although there will always be bits and pieces which in hindsight you would have made differently. In terms of commercial success, selling records and obtaining lots of streams obviously helps, and I would be a liar if I said that these things didn’t matter. But as you don’t really have any influence over how other people perceive your music, it’s best not to go crazy over it.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are just starting out?
Believe in what you do and never second-guess what other people may or may not expect from you.
–
Check out A Permanent Shadow’s new single ‘Killer Boys’ below.