Plumtree (band)
| Company type | Indie rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1993 in Halifax, Canada |
| Defunct | June 2000 |
| Headquarters | Halifax , Canada |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
Plumtree was an indie rock and power pop ensemble from Canada, established in 1993 in Halifax. The group comprised sisters Carla and Lynette Gillis, along with Amanda Braden, Nina Martin, and later, Catriona Sturton. Over a span of seven years, they embarked on numerous tours across Canada and the United States, released three full-length albums, a six-track EP, and several singles before disbanding in June 2000. Their track "Scott Pilgrim" notably inspired the protagonist in Bryan Lee O'Malley's Scott Pilgrim graphic novel series.
History
The band originated on April 9, 1993, in Halifax with Lynette Gillis on drums, Carla Gillis handling guitar and vocals, Amanda Braden also on guitar and vocals, and Nina Martin playing bass and providing vocals. The Gillis sisters brought experience in guitar and drumming to the group. After initial appearances including a junior high talent show, Braden and Martin joined to form a collaborative songwriting team. Their debut performance took place at the all-ages venue Cafe Ole in Halifax in June 1993.
Plumtree first attracted attention in the Canadian music scene through their song "Follow You," featured on the No Class compilation released by No Records. This exposure led to opening performances for acts such as Jale, Thrush Hermit, and Velocity Girl. In 1994, Cinnamon Toast Records released their initial seven-inch record titled Green Mittens, followed shortly by a six-track cassette named Flutterboard.
In 1995, they produced their first full album, Mass Teen Fainting, at Sound of One Hand Studios in Ottawa with producer Paul Hogan. The album gained traction on college radio stations and helped establish a loyal fanbase within Canada. Nina Martin departed in September 1995 to pursue university studies and was succeeded by Catriona Sturton from Ottawa in 1996.
Their sophomore album, Predicts the Future, recorded with Laurence Currie at Halifax’s Idea of East studios and released in 1997, reached the top position on Canada's national college radio chart Earshot. It also earned them a cover story on Exclaim!. Singles such as "Scott Pilgrim," "Go," and "You Just Don't Exist" enjoyed frequent rotation on MuchMusic. The song "Scott Pilgrim" went on to inspire Bryan Lee O'Malley's graphic novel series.
Throughout their active years, Plumtree contributed songs to various compilations including Water Had Leaked into My Suit (Cinnamon Toast) and You're a Superlady (Corduroy). An earlier rendition of "Scott Pilgrim" appeared on a split seven-inch release alongside The Inbreds.
The band toured extensively across Canada and parts of the United States, sharing bills with Montreal’s The Local Rabbits, Halifax groups Thrush Hermit, The Inbreds, The Super Friendz, Moncton’s Julie Doiron (formerly of Eric’s Trip), as well as Winnipeg bands The Weakerthans and Duotang. Tours were generally confined to summer months due to academic commitments of the members.
In 1999, Plumtree performed at Toronto’s Horseshoe Tavern alongside Number One Cup. That summer they recorded their final album, This Day Won't Last at All, at Electro Magnetic Sound Studios with Justin Deneau producing. Released in 2000 by Winnipeg’s Endearing Records, the album featured a video for "Regret," inspired by Cindy Sherman’s work, which received airplay on MuchMusic.
Split
During the spring of 2000, the band embarked on a tour across Canada and the U.S. West Coast alongside Vancouver-based group Salteens. Plumtree officially dissolved in July 2000, following their concluding performance on June 30 at Halifax's Marquee Club.
Aftermath
Lynette and Carla Gillis continue to reside in Halifax, where they perform with the rock ensembles Overnight (previously known as SISTER) and Bells Clanging, collaborating with Jason Starnes. Amanda Bidnall (formerly Braden) pursued higher education at Dalhousie University and York University, culminating in a PhD from Boston College in 2010. She spent eight years teaching history at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver and currently works as a freelance romance author and web editor. Catriona Sturton lives in Ottawa and provides harmonica instruction, while Nina Martin serves as a geography professor at UNC Chapel Hill. In July 2010, Catriona joined SISTER onstage to perform "Scott Pilgrim" during the launch event for Scott Pilgrim Volume 6.
The motion picture Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, adapted from Bryan Lee O'Malley's graphic novel series inspired by Plumtree's track "Scott Pilgrim," premiered on August 13, 2010. The protagonist Scott Pilgrim is depicted wearing a Plumtree T-shirt both in the movie and the original comics. The song "Scott Pilgrim" is featured on the film’s soundtrack as well as within the movie itself, while "Go!" appears in the film and its extended soundtrack version. Furthermore, the Netflix anime series Scott Pilgrim Takes Off incorporates "Scott Pilgrim" during its closing scene.
Awards
In 1996, Plumtree received the Best Canadian Band Under Twenty award at the YTV Achievement Awards, where they performed their song "Tropical."
Their album Predicts the Future was nominated for an East Coast Music Award in the Alternative Rock category but was ultimately surpassed by Superfriendz's Slide Show.
Studio albums and EPs
- Flutterboard (1994)
- Mass Teen Fainting (1995)
- Predicts the Future (1997)
- This Day Won't Last At All (2000)
Singles
- Split 7-inch with Strawberry (1994)
- "Water Had Leaked Into My Suit" (1995)
- Split 7-inch with The Inbreds (1996)
- "Preserving Wildlife" (1996)
- Split 7-inch with Salteens (1999)
Compilation albums
- Best Of (2010)