Start with a synth-heavy melody, slow it right down, imbibe it with quiet, eerie lyrics, dark, echoey bass and a strangely soothing hum that completely fills your surroundings.
Create a rhythmic picture from these words and you'll have something approximating the music of Brisbane duo, Pleasure Symbols. The girls (Phoebe and Jasmine) have recently toured with The Grates and their fans are quickly multiplying. While they can't help but be excited about this, something else has nuzzled its way to the forefront of their minds: their beautiful, big puppy, Tulip, who has a rare form of cancer. Phoebe and Jasmine are exploring avenues to raise funds for Tulip's treatment and will be hosting a benefit show for her next month.
How did Tulip come to be a part of your family?
(Jasmine) I received a call out from Queensland Staffy & Amstaff rescue asking if any foster carers could drive out ASAP and collect a severely neglected dog on the southside of Brisbane... Phoebe and I went and got her that afternoon and she jumped in my car without even looking back.
How long did it take for Tulip to warm up to you?
Tulip was immediately fine with us, but it did take her longer to be comfortable around strangers. Whenever one of our male friends would come over to visit she’d really freak out and try to run away – but she’s just come leaps and bounds with this and has learned to trust people so much more.
What other animals have you been foster parents to?
In less than 2 years we’ve had 12 foster dogs come into care. All of them have come through the Queensland Staffy & Amstaff Rescue group, they’re doing really amazing work. There’s also a couple of rescue cats at home that Tulip helped raise.
What's your favourite memories with Tulip?
Probably when we got our first cat and Tulip was absolutely terrified of this tiny, little, black kitten that couldn’t have been bigger than one of her paws. They’re best buds now, but it took a little while. Tulip is a big softy.
Pleasure Symbols have a unique sound; how did you guys find each other?
It’s Brisbane and everyone finds each other sooner or later. We just wanted to simplify the music we both enjoyed and cut it down to a two piece. Not having to cart a drum kit to shows has been a blessing.
How did you become a part of The Grates' recent tour?
John and Ritchie from The Grates’ asked if we might want to come join them on their Dreamtime tour with Straight Arrows, which to be honest we thought was going to be a really odd fit for us. They found our music through a mutual pal and thought that a mixed bill would work for their vision of the tour.
A reviewer once suggested your music would make a great soundtrack to Garth Marenghi's Darkplace. Have you watched the show? And did you choose to take this as a compliment?
It’s such a great show we couldn’t have possibly been offended. The same reviewer also called Straight Arrows a bunch of pricks that play guitar too sarcastically so I think we got off easy.
If you could make the soundtrack to any show or movie, what would it be?
Garth Marenghi's Darkplace. The new season of the X-Files would be pretty great as well, though Chris Carter isn’t answering any of our emails.
Pleasure Symbols will play live at Tulip's fundraiser show at The Bearded Lady 6 September.
