The Bonsound team is thrilled to welcome Population II to its label, publishing and booking rosters. Consisting of singer/drummer Pierre-Luc Gratton, guitarist/keyboardist Tristan Lacombe and bassist Sébastien Provençal, the Montreal-based three-piece will release new music this year.
Population II is a band dedicated to its disengagement, constantly working on refining their imposing, yet unpretentious sound. Masters at both improvised madness and sophisticated composition, Population II delivers a heavy psychedelic rock infused with feverish funk rhythms, a touch of jazz philosophy, an energy reminiscent of punk's early days, and a love of minor scales that harkens back to the roots of heavy metal. The band's uniqueness is reinforced by Pierre-Luc's one of a kind voice and his introspective, nostalgic and offbeat lyrics.
Their sources of inspiration are diverse and not limited to music: the Detroit garage rock and psychedelic funk scenes of the late 60s, the Canterbury scene of the same period, the German experimental rock of the 70s and Miles Davis’ eclectic era collide, bound together by the swampy decor of Pointe-Calumet, and the deep friendship and undeniable chemistry of the three musicians.
The roots of Population II go back a long way, and are inextricably linked to the members’ teenage memories. After years of jamming to the point of developing a sense of telepathy, the trio began recording a handful of releases that soon caught the attention of John Dwyer, leader of the American band Osees, and the man behind the independent label Castle Face Records. Thus was born À la Ô Terre, their first label-released album, which came out in 2020. The band spent the next two years playing shows in Canada and the United States, notably performing at SXSW (Austin, Texas) and Pop Montreal, as well as in New York City, Toronto and Quebec City.