Plants and Animals - The End of That

The Best New Music of 2012

Someone You Should Know

One of the Best Records Released to-date in 2012

"With a more mature, self-effacing nature but with a keen eye on remaining playful and light, the songs from The End of That (on Secret City) both punctuate through underscore and bounce. Plants and Animals' ten years of experience playing together have served them and their audiences well and it's pretty clear Montreal can be proud of these sons. This is one record you need to own this year.." - Ryan Spaulding

BACKSTORY - Montreal's Plants and Animals have been playing together for 10 years. It's odd to think of a band offering such strong and unique vocals starting off as an instrumental group, but there were this all begins. They recorded a self-titled record in 2002 with 15-minute songs. (I believe I actually have a copy of this one in a box, somewhere.) The band played around Montreal for years, no vocals, heavy on improvisation.

Then in 2008, a project two years in the making became Parc Avenue and they stepped out onto the circuit for the first time. It had guitars and drums and vocals, and orchestration out the wazoo. It was nominated for one Polaris prize, two Junos and three GAMIQs. They opened for Grizzly Bear in Montreal, and did their first tour with Wolf Parade. Danger Mouse got his paws on it and invited them to open for Gnarls Barkley, and later Broken Bells. The National invited them to open for them in Central Park. They headlined stages across North America and Europe.

Caroline Desilets photo

In 2010, Plants and Animals released La La Land, a heavier, darker departure from Parc Avenue that has become a veritable cult favourite. They played over 100 shows that year, including a long US tour with Frightened Rabbit. La La Land was even shortlisted (once again) for Canada's prestigious Polaris Prize. All the previous efforts and the progress the three-piece have made over the years has come home to roost in 2012 with amazing new album, The End of That.

NEW MUSIC VIDEO

ABOUT THE NEW VIDEO - The concept for “The End of That” video came from Plants and Animals themselves in collaboration with friend and actor, Joe Cobden, who served as director and has acted in previous Plants and Animals’ videos. The band was inspired by a ridiculous clip of Englebert Humperdinck singing “Quando, Quando, Quando” on his show, The Englebert Humperdinck Show. The video was shot with almost no budget through 35-year-old tube cameras to achieve the retro look the concept required. The band says the song is “a late-night confessional, a catch up with an old friend over a beer. Produced by Joe Cobden and Gillian Nycum.

Wed. Apr. 4 - Cambridge, MA @ TT The Bear's +
Thu. Apr. 5 - Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie +
Fri. Apr. 6 - Washington, DC @ The Red Palace +
Sat. Apr. 7 - Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506 +
Sun. Apr. 8 - Atlanta, GA @ 529 +
Tue. Apr. 10 - Tampa, FL @ Crowbar +
Wed. Apr. 11 - Orlando, FL @ The Social +
Fri. Apr. 13 - Birmingham, AL @ The Bottletree +
Sat. Apr. 14 - Memphis, TN @ Hi-Tone Café +
Sun. Apr. 15 - Lexington, KY @ Cosmic Charlie’s +
Tue. Apr. 17 - Brooklyn, NY @ Littlefield +
Wed. Apr. 18 - New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge +
Thu. Apr. 19 - Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk Place
Fri, Apr. 20 - London, ON @ APK Live
Sat. Apr. 21 - Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace
Fri. May 11 - Chicago, IL @ Schuba's
Sat. May 12 - Madison, WI @ The Frequency
Tue. May 15 - Denver, CO @ Hi Dive
Wed. May 16 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
Fri. May 18 - San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill
Sat. May 19 - Los Angeles, CA @ Satellite
Mon. May 21 - San Diego, CA @ Casbah
Wed. May 23 - Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress
Fri. May 25 - Austin, TX @ Lambert's
Sat. May 26 - Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald’s
Sun. May 27 - Dallas, TX @ Club Dada
Wed. May 30 - Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern

+ with This is The Kit

Plants and Animals
Web / Fb / Tw