A quick skim through Google proved that finding Pluto’s music would be trickier than expected. The Internet is both a blessing and a curse; on the one hand, I eventually uncovered the Toronto-based singer’s music, but not before going through an onslaught of “Pluto” reviews (Future’s new album), and a series of thought pieces surrounding whether or not Pluto should be considered a planet rather than a space-rock.
Pluto, the musician, shrugs it off. He’s un-phased by this planetary competition. “I’ve been told this before,” he says, only mildly amused. “I know that Future’s new album has been taking up space on Google, but once that dies down I think it’ll come back to me.”
On the forefront, the sentiment is blindly optimistic, but it’s still early days for Pluto. The 20-year old R&B singer has only been active for three years, but he has already been compared to the likes of Frank Ocean and The Weeknd. Over moody instrumentals, the treble dialed down as if submerged underwater, Pluto’s falsetto voice floats gently over the mix, displaying a commendable range for a male singer.
His music videos are likewise: gradual and brutally honest, although sometimes irritatingly lovey-dovey. Nevertheless, they fit snuggly with the music – something that was entirely intentional for Pluto. “If I’m ever writing a song, I’ll often think of the visuals before the actual track,” he explains. “It definitely plays an important part of the music, because it’s what I see – and I want you to see what I see, too.”
Jacob Lorinc/THE VARSITY
Technically speaking, Pluto’s career began at the age of seventeen, but his passion for music goes further back. At the young age of thirteen he began writing songs, and quickly learned to appreciate the art as something he could claim as his own. “It’s really an expression of yourself — a craft, of sorts,” says Pluto. “It’s like a sculpture: you can mold it however you like.”
Backstage at The Opera House, Pluto is mentally preparing for his first performance at Canadian Music Week. The crowd is small — not even close to selling out — but the fans snuggle themselves in front of the stage for Pluto’s performance: evidently eager to watch the singer.
Although his popularity is lacking, the fans are devoted, and his three-piece backup band is unwavering. While Pluto appreciates the dedication he has so far, he is — unsurprisingly — open to furthering his success. “It’s rewarding. It means you’re doing something right,” he says. “At the end of the day, we all want a little bit more. I guess it’s a material thing — we all want fans, and we all want people to connect with us but at the same time, money is important too.”
