Plaster

Plaster is a Canadian electro-jazz group from Montréal, Quebec, active since 2001. The group centres on Jean-Philippe Goncalves on drums, Alex McMahon on keyboards and François Plante on bass. Goncalves and McMahon, both former students at the Music School of Drummondville, begin the project with the idea of making electronic music with standard jazz instruments. Plante joins the group later and the lineup expands into a trio.

The band’s sound combines electronic music, jazz instrumentation and dense rhythmic and atmospheric elements. Its music uses samplers, multi-effects and live instruments, and draws on influences including Amon Tobin, The Herbaliser, Jazzanova, The Cinematic Orchestra and Medeski Martin & Wood. The result is described in terms of strong rhythmic drive, ambient texture and a groove-based approach.

Plaster’s first album appears in November 2005. It is co-produced by Cristobal Tapia, and it reaches number one on the electro sales chart at Archambault retail stores across Quebec, with 2,000 units sold since release and steady sales. The album, First Aid Kit, is noted for its jazz intensity, boisterous rhythms and drum-and-bass elements, and for evoking cinematic scenes.

Before the album, the group develops in a small studio in Montréal and builds its audience through underground media and fan attention. The project’s emphasis is on live energy and creating an immersive performance environment.