Plastiq is the surrealist, contemporary music project by Moses Carr and Quartz Pistol (AKA Abbey Howlett) in collaboration with digital artist/cinematographer CAPITAL WASTE. 

Plastiq’s idiosyncratic approach to pop music is glazed with IDM, film soundtracks and visceral other worldly production. Their sound is paired with a unique live show that adopts visual elements using emergent technologies, costume and theatrical sensibilities.

Plastiq have extrapolated their music video ‘killer’ into a digital art exhibition presented at The Light Room Gallery ILA, Adelaide (2023). Their performance at the ‘Radical Revelry’ afterparty as part of a new exhibition opening at the Art Gallery of South Australia saw their red carpet debut wearing outfit designed and created by Quartz Pistol. They have released 4 singles to critical acclaim with Triple J airplay and circulation on MTV Hits. In 2023 they received ‘Best Experimental’ in the Nottingham Music Video Awards UK for their music video ‘killer’. They have also performed at NGV Melbourne, Brunswick Music Festival and Northcote Social Club in Naarm/Melbourne as well as The Lab, AGSA and Ancient World in Tandanya/Adelaide.

More about the team behind it all:

Digital artist CAPITAL WASTE PICTURES utilises emergent technologies to spawn digital versions of Quartz and Moses’ characters in a virtual apocalyptic space. Together they explore these technologies on stage in a live capacity. CAPITAL WASTE’S work often circulates around inputting the beautiful imperfections of the human experience into digital space.

Two times SAM award winner and vocalist for Plastiq, Abbey Howlett was mentored by renowned artist Mo’ju in 2016. She has toured her solo project internationally whilst also working with artists such as Elle Shimada, DEM MOB, Emma Donovan and The Putbacks, Allysha Joy and Clever Austin. 

Producer, composer and instrumentalist Moses Carr has worked closely with many local artists including; Emma Volard, Empress, Elle Shimada, Barney McAll, Mo Louie, Esther Henderson, Evening News, Kid Heron and Franko Gonzo. He has also toured as a sound designer with Polyglot theatre company, scored multiple theatre shows for POPOMOCO and worked on many local short films including winning a Screen Music Award in 2023 for a collaborative score (with Alex Olijnyk) for ‘My Bubble Wrapped Exorcism’.

Plastiq have two upcoming singles and an EP set for release in 2025 along with a bespoke merch drop of hand-made ‘Plastiq bagz’. This collaboration is delivering something new to the contemporary music landscape. Their DIY approach to merchandise, costume and PR is refreshing. The future looks bright for Plastiq.