Group Members Rory Hanchard, Mark Colborne, Jarod Gibson, Derek Stewart, Tim Erickson

Press Reviews Reprinted from www.moregoatthangoose.com Music for Plants June 1, 1999, Rev Cabaret review by Mike Schulz Before attending Music for Plants' final show, I found myself downtown, alone and with nothing to do for two whole hours. Still unfamiliar with this fair city and unwilling to waste precious beer money on anything as petty as food, I wandered the decaying, nearly uninhabitied streets of downtown. And if I had had a choice of local bands to create a soundtrack for that meanander through urban decay, it would have been Music for Plants. Music for Plants, Rory Hamchard, Tim Ericson, Marc Colborne and Derek Stewart, are probably described most easily as being a post-rock band. If they had a cd, this is likely where you'd find it at Blackbyrd anyways. The label of post-rock being what it is, however, it doesen't really help describe their music in any helpful way. Creating droney but melodic soundscapes, Music for Plants evoked pleasant dreams of old concrete and urban decay. Like other bands described as post-rock a list of their apparent influences would be a long one, ranging from jazz greats like Miles Davis to more recent bands like Oval, The Dirty Three and Isotope 217. I had heard them about a mounth prior to this gig and was hugely impressed by the way they seemed to have bloomed from an intresting improvisational collective into a tight and confident experimental outfit. The set was characterized by drifting, haunting guitar melodies, solid, but interesting drumming and a diverse use of electronics that ranged from ghostly ambiance to invoking the sountracks of forgotten science fiction films. Combined, Music for Plants made a full, layered sound that filled the Rev. Although the set was largely instrumental, occasional bursts of recitation and ranting punctuated the show. The audience, for the most part, seemed suitably impresssed. As the band began playing a near silence fell over the room, only interupted by bursts of applause and cheering both during and after songs. This was espically noticable considering the casual atmosphere that had, until their set, prevailed over the show. Although largely seeming to be more concerned with ensuring that they were in synch with each other than with the audience, the group's presence could be felt throughout the show. Quietly focusing on their music and fiddling with their equipment, Music for Plants presided over the show with a subtle confidence. Despite the tightness they excuded, the spirit of improvisation was in the air throughout the show, adding an ephermeral feeling to the music being played. The vocals were, for the most part, fairly low key, often seeming to be only one element amoung the many layers of sound being projected. While this often added to the effect of the music, it was at times frustrating to try and make out lyrics. In one piece of exceptional showmanship, however, Music for Plants' vocalist stood under a direct spotlight and recited from the work of the Italian Filmmaker Pasolini. F

Location Edmonton, Alberta - Canada

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