Plants and Animals - Biography
BY Marcus Kagler
Over the years, Canada has laid claim to a handful of legitimate rock stars like Alanis Morissette, Bryan Adams, Rush, and Neil Young yet throughout much of the 20th century the great white north rock scene consistently stood in the shadow of U.S. and European rock Gods. When indie rock went mainstream in the new millennium however, that all changed. With the rise of Broken Social Scene, Feist, Wolf Parade, and most of the Arcade Fire, Canada’s vibrant indie rock renaissance didn’t necessarily overshadow the indie elite of the U.S. and Europe as it directly competed with them for, arguably, the first time. Plants and Animals are still relatively new on the indie map but their international debut, Parc Avenue (2008 Secret City) deservedly places them amongst Canada’s most buzz worthy bands. Utilizing elements of orchestral pop, extended jams, lo-fi indie rock, theatrical musicals, and the kitchen sink Plants and Animals fit comfortably into indie rocks’ current preoccupation with multiple genre homogenization. Yet, unlike the majority of their peers the Montreal three piece doesn’t belie their influences but subtly sculpts and melds them into a unique sound all their own. The seeds of Plants and Animals were sewn when childhood friends Warren Spicer (vocals/guitars) and Matthew Woodley (drums/vocals) began playing music together in Nova Scotia at age 12. The duo later met multi-instrumentalist Nicolas Basque while pursuing a degree in Music Studies at Concordia University. After graduation the trio formed Plants and Animals in 2004, releasing an EP of elongated and highly experimental instrumental pieces called The Plants and Animals EP (Ships at Night Records) in 2005. Eager to embrace more engaging rock/pop material, the trio streamlined their sound, elected Spicer lead vocalist (by default), and released the With/Avec EP (Secret City Records) in 2007. Packed with horn sections, choirs, orchestration, earthy jams, folk songs, and a pastoral lyrical bent the debut full length, Parc Avenue was released in early 2008 to universal critical accolades with the band embarking on their first international tour that spring.
