Plants and Animals Interview: SXSW 2010

Montreal's Plants and Animals have been on a steady upward trajectory over the past five years. Their first two EPs gained them a strong following, while debut album 'Parc Avenue' was near-universally acclaimed, even garnering a mention on the shortlist for the 2008 Polaris Prize. Obvious students of '60s and '70s rock and folk, the trio utilize relatively simple instrumentation to create shifting, swirling soundscapes that nod at psychedelia without tilting too far away from their pop sensibilities. And while they clearly take their music as seriously as any talented band should, their ever-present sense of humour sets them apart from the über-serious indie-rock set.

Please describe your sound in your own words.

'Sports and Leisure' rock.

How did your band form?

Two of us met on the schoolyard when we were 12 and got to work immediately on the band. The third member of the trio surfaced about 10 years later at music school. So I'd say we're forever indebted to the education system, but Nic [Basque, guitarist] was actually a saxophone thief and not a student. We just liked his look.

What are your musical influences?

Lions, tigers and Charlie Watts.

What's the story behind the band's name?

We wanted something that felt natural. Woo!

What's your biggest vice?

Carbs? Are they still bad?

What's in your SXSW survival kit?

We're each taking a mansion. This could be our big break!

What's the craziest thing you've seen or experienced while on tour?

Once we were eating lunch in the countryside in Mexico and we turned around to see a monkey sitting in our van dousing himself with insect repellant.

The ultimate question: Beatles or Rolling Stones and why?

We always vote Stones on that one. The Beatles did amazing things, but that Stones voodoo business... I mean, please.