Collective Scream presents: a conversation with Plastic Baby Jesus
In the heart of NYC's fiercely independent music scene, Plastic Baby Jesus is making noise, both musically and politically. With raw emotion (vomiting-on-stage raw), pointed lyrics, and deep roots in the city’s DIY culture, the band is helping carve out spaces for radical expression in a time that desperately needs it. Their upcoming performance on May 29th as part of the Collective Scream Benefit Concert Series promises more than just an electrifying set — it’s a rallying cry for community, resistance, and survival — with 100% of funds raised from ticket sales being directed to Mayday Space, a community center and organizing hub for grassroots groups, Bushwick residents, artists, and activists from across NYC and beyond.
Catch the full conversation below — and don’t miss the chance to see them live on May 29th at Bridge & Tunnel Brewery in Ridgewood.
What made you want to get involved with Collective Scream? Why is supporting this month’s cause, Mayday Space, important to you?
We wanted to support Mayday Space and Collective Scream because BIPOC led communities mean a lot to us. Personally, as a latina from Brooklyn, immigration and gentrification are at the top of my concern when it comes to issues pertaining to people and government in this city.
How do you think music can be and is important in difficult or turbulent times?
Music is always important and I believe it should always be a vehicle for change, regardless of which corrupt parties are in power. That said, to me, music is also a reflection of the times we endure and when political figures are especially xenophobic, transphobic, racist, sexist, greedy, etc. I’ve found that many people find themselves gravitating towards music that SAYS and MEANS something.
What is one unique thing about being an artist in the NYC music scene right now?
One thing that sticks out to me is the discrepancy between affluent bands and working class bands. I know so many musicians that are forced to find several means to making ends meet such as sex work, organizing, assistance programs, and off the books labor. In our queer communities of NYC, we fundraise for people’s top and bottom surgeries because — simply put — for a lot of us it is a matter of life and death. And the fact is when you compare them to the privileged bands made up of cishet white guys living in manhattan whose parents fund their musicianship as well as their cost of living in this city, to me the difference is night and day.
What have been some memorable experiences playing local and/or DIY shows?
I’m gonna have to go with the time I threw up onstage at the Living Gallery. There’s not much of a story, I just threw up and it grossed a bunch of people out.
What surprises or challenges can come with being a local musician in NYC?
A pretty major challenge to being a musician living here is balancing the cost of living vs. the cost of being a musician. Both are very expensive!
Any other local bands that you would love to share a bill with?
Some of my favorites are A Total Wreck, Eevie Echoes and the Locations, Bum Babies, War Honey, Pillow Biter, Avatareden, Lollirot, Trick the Riddle, and Keefchamber.
If you had to get a NYC-specific niche tattoo, what would it be?
I would get a tattoo of Sonic the Hedgehog in Doc Martens with a baseball cap eating a chili dog.
Please let us know about any new or upcoming releases, tours or other projects people should be on the lookout for.
We’re recording soon and hopefully (fingers crossed) going to have an album released by the end of summer/early fall!
