18 Jul 2011, Posted by admin in Headlines,Kitty,Thoughts, 0 Comments
Plant Plants
Words by Kitty
Plant Plants‘ strange recipe of mutilated electronics and Indie boy charm has had me rinsing the repeat button on their debut EP this week. On record, members Stu and Howie arrange an eclectic, occasionally baffling ensemble of car-door slams, guitars and nasty drum patches with orchestral precision – though the more you listen, the more you realise this is music for your feet, and not just your head.
The duo’s debut showcases so many stylistic nods, C&S knew that their CD collection would make a pretty interesting riffle. We asked the guys to compile a few tracks on demand; songs to offend, uplift, and to accompany you on the N7 – as well as the tracks that inspire them to push forward. Here’s what they handed over…
A song that inspires you to keep making music
Howie – “Fire Leap” (The Wicker Man) by Paul Giovanni. I think it’s fair to say both of us love every track from this movie but for me this one conjures up all sorts of emotions. The song doesn’t slot easily into a conventional genre & neither does the film, which is how we like to roll.
Howie – “Sea Of Tears” by Goldie, Particularly the No 8 and No 25 bus back to Bow, I find that mid 90′s style of Drum & Bass makes it easier, something charging to get you through it.
Stu – Goldie, as well as the other top d’nb producers of the time, had an amazing ability to make complex percussive tracks 160 bpm+ but with an laid back feel, a skill rarely matched today.
A song that will always drag you kicking and screaming to the dance floor
Howie – “Tear Drops” by Love Station, when I was a young kid this was played at every house party I went to so I’ve got a lot of fond memories attached to it, along with other classic garage like “The Boy Is mine” Brandy and Monica (Architechs mix).
A song that might offend the neighbours
Stu – Considering the neighbours probably grew up listening to NWA or Marylin Manson, if they awoke in the middle of the night to Easy E’s “Give Me That Nut” blasting through the window they’d probably be like “Shit that takes me back to ’93″
A song you can’t fucking stand
Stu – “Constellations” by Darwin Deez. This song would probably offend the neighbours. I’d be offended if I heard this anywhere.
A song that makes you feel everything is going to be okay
Howie – “Ordinary Guy (Afro-Filipino)” by Joe Bataan”. It’s a beautiful and timeless record.
A song that confirms everything is probably isn’t going to be okay
Stu – “The Horizon Is a Single Point” by Thee More Shallows. A few years ago the 2 people closest to me in the world were fucking around with heroin and OD’d… one pulled through, the other died. I spent a lot of time after that listening to this song while trying to get my head around the loss. It’s a positive song, but in the bleakest way you can imagine.
A romantic song that is actually good
Stu – “If I Was Your Girlfriend” by Prince. One of the many examples of the man’s genius. When it comes to production, recording techniques and song writing, Prince is untouchable. He’s also managed to exist as a confidently straight male, outside the stereotype. Between the lines he’s letting dudes in on a little secret: It helps to be a bit girly if you wanna get chicks.
A not-too-distracting song to play during ‘intimate times’
Howie – “Hello” by Lionel Richie, I can’t explain that one. You’ll just have to accept it.
A song that inspired the Plant Plants sound
Howie – Our sound is a mixture of all of our influences, which range from obscure NZ bands like Bailterspace to the beats of Timbaland … not inspired by one particular song.
Stu – Around the time we started this band we were struck by the boldness of our mate Joni, in his band Visions of Trees. He basically went “fuck everyone, I’m making music the way I want and how I want” and we were like “fuck yeah” and basically did the same, our way. So you could say that inspired the sound.
A song from your new record that we will love
Howie – “I’m So Black” by Plant Plants. This song has puzzled some critics and people alike who try to put music into boxes, and that’s what we like about it. If you don’t get the song, that’s cool … you might get some of our others. But if you GET the song, then you GET the band … and a clearer picture of what we’re aiming to do musically over the next year.
Stu – Welcome to the party.
Plant Plants Debut EP is out now on Less Music. You can get it from Pure Groove here.
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