Plants And Animals
Matthew Woodley of Plants And Animals regales us with exotic tales of far off lands like Iceland and San Francisco in this week’s Hot Seat.
1. Tell us about your craziest touring experience.
The first real tour off the continent we ever did was a festival in Iceland. We stayed for almost a week and got to know the place some. It’s like the moon, but much better, since the moon doesn’t have fluorescent green moss, glowing blue hot springs, geysers, volcanoes, elves, trolls and some of the coolest people you’ll meet. Go there sometime.
2. What type of college class would you’d most want to take and why?
I’d like to know more about architecture. The doing more than the history though.
3. What city in America is the most fun to visit and why?
We just had a couple days off in San Francisco before playing a show there and I’d say that place takes the cake. In the span of a few hours, I went for a run along the Castal Bluffs, dipped my head in the Pacific, saw dolphins jump 30 feet away from me, ate the best (and first) Burmese meal of my life and went to a crazy San Francisco saloon filled with San Francisco crazies. Hell of a town.
4. What’s some of the best advice you were ever given?
“Do the right thing.” - Crazy high school football coach and unlikely Spike Lee fan.
5. What’s in heavy rotation in your MP3/CD player right now?
Neil Young.
6. The last good book you read or TV show you’re addicted to.
I’m reading Chronic City by Jonathan Lethem at the moment. He’s one of my favourite current writers.
7. What’s the first concert you ever saw - how was it?
When I was 12 or 13 I went out to see a Canadian hip hop group called with the Dream Warriors with some friends. They were great, but the openers really stole the show for me. One of their MCs was standout weird, funny, all that, and after the show I asked him for an autograph. He wrote, “Woody, don’t eat so much celery. It worries me. Tom.” Just a couple years ago, I realized the guy was Tom Green.
8. What are three items you can’t live without on tour?
My drums, my wallet, my phone.
9. Who are your major musical influences?
Ya gots to know your ABCs: Al Green, Bach and CCR.
10. Any random messages or tips you’d like to give to mtvU watchers?
Mute the commercials.
