{Photo by Alex Crick}
Day five of our countdown to the Imaginary Winter Holiday Spectacular {December 23 at Chop Suey} and we’re happy to spend today focusing on our headliner: The Redwood Plan.
We have yet to find anyone (critic or otherwise) that isn’t dazzled by both of the The Redwood Plan’s 2009 eps. Their guitar punk is spiffied up with mesmerizing synth and handclaps in the most infectious of ways. Lesli Wood took a moment to answer some questions about The Redwood Plan and confirm the fact that Tegan and Sarah, just like the rest of us, have really big crushes on The Redwood Plan.
{If you want to get the full Redwood Plan skinny, check out ChrisB’s interview with Lesli earlier this year.}
TIG: The members of the Redwood Plan had already accomplished so much musically before joining Redwood Plan forces. Is there a dream bill you’d like to be on or place you’d like to play that you haven’t already?
The Redwood Plan: Definitely playing with The Gossip, The Faint, Ting Tings, or Yeah Yeah Yeahs would be pretty great. As far as venue? We’ve been really fortunate so far in getting to play The Showbox and The Croc. Two of us have played Neumo’s before in other bands, but I’d love for The Redwood Plan to play Neumo’s.
TIG: I’ve described the Redwood Plan as the most mesmerizing melding of Joan Jett and Ladytron. Are such comparisons annoying? What’s been your favorite description of the Redwood Plan sound?
The Redwood Plan: I loved Megan Seling’s description that we made her want to “dance and kick some ass, possibly at the same time”. I actually have loved all of Megan’s descriptions of us. I’m weary of band comparisons in general (though I wouldn’t go so far as to say they’re annoying!). I got the Joan Jett comparison a lot in Ms. Led but I don’t see it as much in The Redwood Plan. Either way, it’s a flattering comparison.
TIG: What’s next for the Redwood Plan? Do you have a European tour in the works?
The Redwood Plan: We’re hoping to release the full length album after the tours in early 2010. I think we’re all really excited about Europe. We always have so much fun being on the road together that I think we’re just excited to get back out there.
TIG: If we could spread one rumor about the Redwood Plan, what would it be?
The Redwood Plan: That Tegan and Sara have crushes on us.
TIG: If you could choose someone to cover one of your songs, who would it be and what song?
The Redwood Plan: I’d love to hear The Kills do “Movers, Shakers, Makers”. Or Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head doing “Je Suis Romantique”…
TIG: Do you have a favorite Winter Holiday tradition?
The Redwood Plan: Any holiday for me is going to be about lots of food, drink, and being with people I love. I am a total sucker for the holiday cartoons – from Charlie Brown Christmas to all the old claymation specials (LOVED Heatmiser). I usually watch It’s A Wonderful Life on Christmas Eve. Yeah, definitely a sucker for the cheesy holiday movie…
TIG: If you were to cover one holiday song, what would it be?
The Redwood Plan: I’d previously done a cover of The Sonics’ “Don’t Believe In Christmas” – I wouldn’t mind revisiting that one!
TIG: What’s on your holiday wishlist this year?
The Redwood Plan: Minions to do my bidding. I think Betty wants clones to get all her tasks done. I’d just be fine with minions.
TIG: What albums or bands are on your favorites of 2009 list?
The Redwood Plan: Hands down my favorite albums this year were Throw Me The Statue – Creaturesque, Silversun Pickups – Swoon, and The Kills – Midnight Boom. I also really loved the new Cave Singers, Gossip, and Au Revoir Simone.
TIG: If you could ask one of the other bands on the bill an interview question, what would it be and to whom?
The Redwood Plan: I would ask Wallpaper what their secret potion is for creating such perfectly crafted pop songs. Seriously, their songs are addictive.