INTERVIEW: PLUS!: THE GREAT ESCAPE
Seeing that band perform for the first time (which also happened to be my first exposure ever to their music) felt like traveling in a time machine. Their sound reminds me of something I would have heard on MuchMusic back when television was my sole source of discovering new music. The members of Plus! might be young but they've already been demonstrating amazing musicianship. It is easy to see how passionate and excited Plus! is, and as a listener, that's thrilling. From the importance of making their own merch with thrifted clothes to what inspired the lyrics of their song, “Mechanical”, please enjoy this wonderful conversation with one of Montreal's most promising new musical acts. Thank you, Oliver (vocals, guitar), Julia (bass), Émile (guitar), and Vaughn (drums).
Have you always wanted to be in a band? Can you remember a specific moment of your life that made you realize you wanted to play music?
Vaughn: I feel like it came in waves; a lot of little moments. I was talking about this with Oliver the other day. One of the reasons why I started music was because a lot of the cool kids played in bands. "I gotta join a band." It was part of a social thing. There were moments of getting into the music itself; discovering band culture.
Do you feel cool now?
Vaughn: Yeah, hopefully. One day!
Julia: Music came later for me. I didn't know anyone who played music in high school. When I came here, I figured I could do something with this hobby that I like.
Émile: I was always forced into bands. My sister was doing guitar lessons and my parents really wanted me to do the same. I love music but didn't want to do anything with music. My buddy was like: "You gotta play drums for us. We are starting a band. Just get into this music class." That was my first band. I got forced into another band. This is my first consensual band. I wouldn't do anything else.
Oliver: Music was the only constant point of interest throughout my whole life. The band idea sort of came when I was a late teenager but I was never proactive about putting together a band. I was a bit shy. Vaughn hit me up out of the blue. We didn't know each other. He heard a song of mine. We just got together and from the word go, it was instant. It worked!
You mentioned music being a constant point of interest in your life, do you remember what band, album or song made you fall in love with music?
Oliver: The Beatles, Super cliché. I don't remember conscious life without them. They have always been there and made me so happy.
Listening to your song "Mechanical" feels like being transported to the past in a time machine. Who are some legacy bands as well as more recent acts who inspire you?
Vaughn: A lot of recent bands. Legacy acts as well. For drumming, I would say Led Zeppelin. It's hard to ignore the power of John Bonham. I agree with Oliver on the Beatles. They were always playing around the house. In terms of modern acts, I'm a huge fan of Big Thief, Alvvays, Camera Obscura, Horsegirl. That little drum riff for "Mechanical" was inspired by this Japanese band called Toe.
Émile: When thinking about "Mechanical", I mean I grew up with The Killers. Ovlov is a band that really inspired the way I play guitar. Radiohead as well was a big part of how I approached music.
Oliver: Vocally, I was inspired by The Walkmen who are actually from the 2000s. I am kind of screaming the chorus. I describe it as throwing the voice. The main singer for that group threw his voice as far as he could and I was super inspired by that.
Julia: Cocteau twins and the same bands Vaughn mentioned.
Speaking of "Mechanical", can you tell me what inspired it lyrically?
Oliver: The approach for the lyrics of that song was very different than most songs, I usually write them alone. This time, it was a huge mix. I did a little bit alone. We wrote a lot of it as a group while recording.
Émile: I remember it was pretty clear when we wrote it. It had a lot to do with escaping, having some sort of adventure with someone and how you are both living an experience that's far away from the comfortable and home. When there are two people, it's like a motor that keeps going by itself. I think the song was kind of about when that kind of high goes away and the car starts breaking down. I think that was the theme when we were writing it.
Vaughn: I feel like there are two things going on within it. I really felt like the chorus spoke about friendship and friendships within a group and fighting for that. The verses were almost like this storyesque thing going on between those two characters. It kind of feels like a movie. The song used to be called "Friends".
When can we expect another single from you? How different or similar will it be from "Mechanical"?
Julia: We have two songs in the works. We recorded them at an actual studio.
Émile: I think the songs are in the same realm as "Mechanical" but they sound a lot different but feelings wise, we are still close to home. I think "Mechanical" is the most different of our songs. I feel like those two songs represent us a little better. It's a more introspective duo of songs.
Oliver: I think we have this nostalgic, sort of sensitive temperament to us somehow. One of them isn't a typical Pop structure. It's based on a movie called "Before Sunrise".
Julia: It's more bitter than sweet in comparison to "Mechanical".
Are you thinking of releasing an EP at some point?
Oliver: I think whatever we say now is bound to change but we do want to come out with a larger body of work at some point, probably 2026. It's a big expense.
Émile: It's just hard to get the context right to actually record a big of recording. We thought we were going to do much more at the studio than what we did. We are still learning and exploring the world of recording.
In terms of playing shows, what are some of your goals? What bands would you like to play with?
Oliver: We are all big fans of Last Waltzon in Montreal. They're really cool. Frownline. It would be cool to open for bands who come to theaters in town next summer. It's pretty much the next step to be. Club Soda, Fairmount. If we are looking really far; Alvvays, Big Thief.
Émile: I would love to play with bands I have looked up to for so long.
Speaking of shows, what is the best show (smaller or bigger show) you have personally attended and why? Did you learn anything from attending that show?
Émile: I saw Homeshake in Montreal last year at Fairmount. That show blew my mind completely. I love Homeshake and all of his music. I was like "how do you sound like that live? Sounding even bigger than the record. The drum kit and the cymbals felt right for the room. He had a great presence. Perfect persona. He had a little skit. As far as guitar work goes, The Less is More show was a crazy experience. I loved every second of it. He changed guitar 4 times and the solo never ended. He plays guitar with his tongue.
Vaughn: I had a really good time seeing Beach House at MTelus. I love that venue! I think that was the first Rock show I paid to go see. It had a really big impact on me. "Wow, you guys kick ass." Also, I saw Alvvays at Osheaga. I couldn't feel more lucky.
Julia: Adrianne Lenker when she came to Montreal. It was just her, her violinist, and her pianist. It was so beautiful. The whole day was awesome. I went with my close friend. We waited outside the venue. I could tell it was the same person who recorded the studio versions. I had never fully realized that before.
Oliver: Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. The way that they crafted their show; it flowed along in a really elegant manner. Alvvays live; the vocals are so good. The Smile blew my mind. They were so out there. It was so weird. I felt like a starstruck kid.
I know your merch is homemade which I think is awesome. What are the reasons that motivated you to make your own merch (besides maybe financial reasons)?
Julia: I think it looks better.
Oliver: It's a little more personal.
Émile: We made a lot of it together. My girlfriend is a visual artist. She was always involved in the design process for the band. When it came time for merch, she was part of the conversation for sure. A friend of mine who is in a band in Quebec did a bunch of patches with a massive piece of fabric. Maybe it inspired the process. My girlfriend definitely wanted to do secondhand clothes just so we aren't participating in the fast consuming of cheap t-shirts. The process of doing it felt right. It's more special to buy an old shirt that was transformed. Oh also, a big thing that inspired our merch is Dead Fest. We played a one-day festival last year which was called Dead Fest and it's organized by this guy named Max. Shoutout Max! They made tank tops and t-shirts with a stamp. They would stamp every shirt differently. They sold the t-shirt for 10 bucks and 5 bucks for the tank top. Everyone had one on after the show. "This is amazing." I kept that in mind for sure.
Oliver: There is also more variety that we can tackle. They are all one of one. We are able to do several designs rather than just one design for a batch of cheap t-shirts. Shoutout to Joelle (@sauvage.pastel). She's been art directing so much for us; making all of these posters, and having all of these designs and logos. She really had an opportunity to shine and spread her wings. She did so good!
Émile: She's definitely a massive part of the band. She's an angel for us. She should have been here.
Are you thinking of releasing more homemade merch in the future?
Emile: I still want to put out a t-shirt. I just want to find the right process. I really like band tshirts, the old school way. I collect band tshirts.
Oliver: If there is way to outsource within Canada maybe.
Emile: While still keeping it not too expensive! Over 20$ for a t-shirt...I don't know. I just don't want to charge my friends 30$.
You mentionned collecting band t-shirts. Do you have a favourite one?
Emile: The Buzzcocks t-shirt is amazing. I cannot wear it everywhere though. It says orgasm addict. I think my favourite band t-shirt is my buddy's band called Baboune. I love their shirt. It got a little cartoonish bear that has baboune beer shirt and it says: "You're clean and I'm dirty." With a baboune smiley on back. I think it's a genius t-shirt. I wear it twice a week every week.
Vaughn: I think my favourite one is band called The Vauxhalls. They do the same process as us.
Pretend the four of you can build the venue of your dreams. How big or small would it be? Where would it be located? What would the decor be like?
Julia: It has to have a cool arch around the stage. A mechanical dinosaur. A trapeze. It rains beers for ten minutes.
Emile: I feel like a venue like Beanfield is the perfect size.
Oliver: An outdoor theater. Like Red Rocks. No roof. 1000 cap. Pyrotechnics. Skittle confettis.
Émile: Drink all you can tickets! Ok, all you can eat Popcorn. There is 5D section where you can be in a seat and there are odours, sprinkles. A massive Imax screen. I want to project the Coldplay in the back. You got options. Instead of charging people, we will advertisements on the Imax screen.
Oliver: Only local companies; Guru, Mate Libre. Kawa Cafe.
Your favourite sometimes nostalgia fueled interviewer,
Ariane
LINKS TO FURTHER DISCOVER AND SUPPORT PLUS!
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