It is May 2000. The Bottom of the Hill, San Francisco. The fledgling indie-pop band with whom I play is in the midst of a brief west coast jaunt. We are killing time after load in with our Oakland, CA tourmate, who goes by the wonderful moniker From Bubblegum To Sky. Four young women from Halifax, Nova Scotia, who collectively call themselves Plumtree, and with whom we will also be sharing the bill over the next few nights, take the stage and plug in for soundcheck. They launch into a number called “You Just Don’t Exist”.

Two thoughts immediately spring to mind. First thought: *who exactly* are these women playing the ever-living shit out of this wonderfully, glorious racket? Second thought: errr, maybe *we* should have spent a bit more time in the practice room? At any rate, this was clearly a case of love at first listen, one that still endures a decade later.

Unless you are a scholar of the incredibly fertile 90′s Halifax indie-rock scene (e.g. Sloan, Thursh Hermit, the Superfriendz, Jail, Eric’s Trip) Plumtree just might be the best band you have never heard. They formed while still teenagers in 1993 and toured extensively through Canada, releasing three full-length records and multiple singles, before finally calling it quits in 2000.

Now a full decade after break up, the band is being thrust somewhat back into the spotlight. A song they wrote and recorded in 1996 for a split single with the Inbreds inspired the titular character of the hugely popular Bryan Lee O’Malley comic series Scott Pilgrim. That series is now a major motion picture directed by Edgar Wright and the band’s christening track is featured on the soundtrack. Star Michael Cera even sport’s a Plumtree t-shirt in the film. How oddly satisfying, if not a bit bittersweet, this must be for a band who, at least in this country, remains criminally under the radar? (Read more about how this all came to be here.)

The band’s third and final release This Day Won’t Last At All remains in print and comes highly recommended. Take a listen to the album’s bookends, “Was That All?” and “Faraway”.

Plumtree, “Was That All?” & Plumtree “Faraway” (2000)
find it on This Day Won’t Last At All

The resurgence of interest in the band has now lead to efforts to create a retrospective best-of, due out later this summer. Also, siblings Carla and Lynette Gillis continue to make music together as the aptly named Sister. They recently released their debut ep.

To learn more visit:
www.plumtree.ca
www.sistermusic.ca