NEWS




 

Sept 1, 2010

Thanks to everyone who came out to see us play on the 20th at the Cajun attic! If you weren't part of the extra rowdy crowd here's a hint of what we were up to. This is a clip of us digging into "Napoleon", the second last track on the new record and the last song of the night. Disclaimer: this song has absolutely nothing to do with the historical Napoleon... I think.

 


August 25, 2010

Robbed! This is a public service announcement from the Murder Plans: lock your windows and buy property insurance, especially if everything you own can be carted away in less than twenty minutes! I suppose some explanation is in order. Last week Connor's apartment was broken into and all of his equipment stolen. His beloved Duo Jet to his fine capo collection (a real shame because he was about to open the world's most extensive guitar capo museum) walked right out the friggin' door. On the day of a show no less. Thank goodness his wonderful special lady friend has been paying into insurance for the past six years so he'll be able to re-coup most of his stuff. Due to the MP's stick-to-it-ness and general thick-headed-ness the show at the Cajun Attic went off pretty darn well thanks to the support of the fine gentlemen of Slim and Popular. So if anyone sees a Gretch 6128 Duo Jet or a Jazzmaster Special wandering the streets of Centretown in the rain please send them home- I have some very special words for whoever let them out...


August 18, 2010

Why toot your own horn when somebody will do it for you? Megan Marshall of longstanding Ottawa monthly The Glebe Report has these very kind words to say about us and the new album: 

Murder’s Never Sounded Better

“Have you heard about The Murder Plans? I think they would have most Canadians jumping for joy, shimmying across kitchen floors everywhere, hollering in their Sedans with the windows up…Ottawa can’t keep these plans and hoard them any longer.” (Amanda Putz, CBC Radio)
The band was formed in 2005 in Connor McGuire’s apartment in Centretown. Like other musicians starting out, he’d been attending open mics and striving to meet people in the Ottawa music scene. He soon met Michael Simon, an Architecture student studying at Carleton, who played bass. It wasn’t long after that they found two “equally insane” musicians to fully round out the band: Joel Jacques (guitar, lap steel, keys & vocals), and Nicholas Descarie (percussion).
Before the band had even written a song together, the band’s name The Murder Plans was established. The name is derived from critically acclaimed Australian musician Nick Cave’s song ‘Deanna.’ As Connor points out, “some people love it, some hate it. We like it. It’s us”. Do not let the name fool you though - this is a group of enormously gifted, dedicated musicians.
The forthcoming album (“Good Omens”) was recorded by Dean Watson, at Gallery Studios on Fifth Ave., and will be released Sept.24th. The band walked into the studio as a straight-edge rock group, and emerged as a polished and powerful team wielding musical maturity beyond their own expectations two years later. The final product materialized into what Dean calls "patient rock" - music that utilizes space and silence to its advantage.
Prior to “Good Omens”, Connor was the principle songwriter; however during recording sessions several unforeseen transformations occurred. Michael, the bassist, revealed his inherent ability to write songs and ended up penning almost half of the material on the album. Another change was Joel moving from lead guitar to keys in the midst of recording. These alterations weren’t imminent yet they certainly guided the band towards their new sound, and melded the passions of the band mates into the divine final creation. Connor admits that Dean, recorder and producer, also helped shape the album with his keen ear and diligent perseverance.
Although The Murder Plans’ entire sound changed while “Good Omens” was devised, the goal behind recording the album did not. It was always, first and foremost, about creating something meaningful to the band - and hopefully to the listener as well. It was about making the best possible product as a whole. Mission accomplished gentlemen.
Connor reflects that “it takes a certain amount of insanity to become a musician, especially in these times. The industry is in an extreme state of flux - it almost feels like we're on the fringe of the fringe. Like the wild west of the music industry. It seems it's getting harder and harder for the listener to sift through the dross and get to the good stuff. On the other hand it’s more difficult for bands to be heard.”
The Murder Plans CD release of “Good Omens” is at the Elmdale Tavern, Friday Sept.24. If you cannot wait to hear the fresh, brilliant sounds of the band visit www.themurderplans.com OR stop by Compact Music (Glebe) for a free 3 song promo.

Thanks Megan, we're glad you like it!


August 8, 2010

With our album relese a little over a month away The Murder Plans have been meeting in Lowertown and doing a lot of scheming. Posters are being printed, CD's burned and Vinyl pressed. It's the latter we're most excited about though- for some reason it seems like the only format that can possibly represent the months we spent tracking, writing and re writing in Dean Watson's basement studio. You know, it's easy to see why "the industry" moved away from the LP format- it's expensive. On the other hand it's easy to see why artists and listeners have returned to it- it's awesome. A while ago Ottawa indie guru and amp doctor extraordinaire Slo Tom wrote an excellent article on the demise of the CD. His reasoning was that the CD has lost its value as a music format because it's used for so many other purposes. Unfortunately, that article has been lost in the digital sands of time. Nevertheless, vinyl is used exclusively for music (yes, and seat coverings and novelty S&M outfits but we'll save that discussion for another day). Now it's our job to get you as excited about this record as we are. Shouldn't be a tall order, should it? Naw, I didn't think so- you're cool.
 

July 18, 2010


Even with it being so bloody hot lately seeing this shot still brings a chill to my bones. This is from back in March during our photoshoot with Sarai. It was about 3º and you can't see it but just up the river there are still chunks of floating ice.
 

July 15, 2010

Thanks to the Cajun Attic for having us last night, nice room, sure to become popular haunt.  Shared the stage with some good people, go check out Hayley Stark and the Donna Litas, those guys can party. 
 

July 7, 2010

Murder Plans east coast tour in the works in support of the new album... stay tuned.


July 1, 2010

Well here it is folks... the Murder Plans' brand new website! Still has that new car smell.

new skin
Check back often as we will be posting a lot of new photos, videos and shows here over the next couple weeks!  Many thanks to Darryl at Royal Maple Creative.

ps. if you haven't yet, go click on the crow... and happy Canada day!

 

 

 

 

 

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CONTACT



Join the email list if you would like to us to keep you up to date with the latest Murder Plans goings on and find out about up coming shows.  If you just want updates for the city you live in tell us which one that is!
 
Or, join the street team if you would like to help us out by postering/ spreading the word before shows in your city.  Drop us a line and we will let you know how you can get some free MP stuff.  Don't forget to tell us what city you want to help us out in.



For booking please contact:

Denis Levigne

vignemanagement@gmail.com
p. (819) 561.9679
c. (613) 601.9679

 


THE MURDER PLANS

“Have you heard about The Murder Plans? I think they would have most Canadians jumping for joy, shimmying across kitchen floors everywhere, hollering in their sedans with the windows up…Ottawa can’t keep these plans and hoard them any longer.”

-Amanda Putz, CBC Radio

the Murder Plans - photograph by Sarai Stritefoot


The Murder Plans are an Ottawa foursome whose brooding, cathartic sound has garnered them comparisons to the likes of Wilco, Constantines, The Talking Heads and Leonard Cohen. Formed in a basement apartment in the winter of 2007, Nicholas Descarie (percussion), Joel Jacques (keys), Connor McGuire (guitar, vocals) and Michael Simon (bass, vocals) have become known for their evocative harmonies, vibrant keys and autumnal lyrics inspired by the wind-whipped cityscape of the Nation’s Capital. From their auspicious beginnings - they were awarded Honourable Mentions in both the Best New Artist and Best New Album categories in the Ottawa Xpress 2007 Reader’s Poll for their self-titled EP - The Murder Plans have since played sold-out concerts with The Sadies, Winter Gloves and Hey Rosetta!, and were featured on the CBC Radio 3 Track of the Day podcast in a week that also featured The Deadly Snakes and You Say Party! We Say Die!. Their highly-anticipated first full-length album, Good Omens, is set to be released in September 2010.

 

Meet the Murder Plans

Connor McGuire








Connor McGuire
Jazzmaster & Voice




Michael Simon




 


Michael Simon 
Bass & Voice




Nicholas Descarie







Nicholas Descarie 
Drums & Voices (in head)




Joel Jacques
 






Joel Jacques 
Keys, Lap Steel, Guitar & Voice




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MUSIC

 

The Murder Plans new full length album available September 24!




2007 Self Titled EP

2007 EP front cover2007 EP Back Cover
Song List:
1. The Well
2. Princes In Motion
3. Annie (Thinks She's Sober)
4. Georgie
5. Centretown, 2am
Click on album cover above to purchase the Murder Plans 2007 Self Titled EP at CD baby




Video for Centretown, 2am
Handy Llama Productions

MEDIA

 
Contact media@themurderplans.com to request a hard copy of our press kit.



Click on a photo above to down a zipped high res copy for print.  All photographs to be credited to Sarai Strikefoot.





Click on the image above to download a zipped high res copy of the Murder Plans gig poster.



the Murder Plans on Sonic Bids
Click on the SB logo to view the Murder Plans Sonicbids EPK

 

SHOWS



Tuesday, Sept 21, 2010

The Horseshoe Tavern - Toronto, ON
w/ TBA
doors: 9pm
cover: pay what you can.

Friday, Sept 24, 2010

OFFICIAL GOOD OMENS RELEASE PARTY

The Elmdale Tavern - Ottawa, ON
w/ Ornaments & Darling DeMaes
doors: 10pm
cover: TBA

Saturday, Oct 2, 2010

Jimmy Jazz - Guelph, ON
w/ TBA
doors: 10pm
cover: pay what you can.

Friday, Oct 15, 2010

Bread & Circus (Toronto Indie Week) - Toronto, ON
w/ TBA
doors: 8pm
cover: TBA

 


PAST SHOWS


Friday, August 20, 2010
The Cajun Attic - Ottawa, ON
w/ Slim&Popular & Claude Munson

Saturday, July 31, 2010
Jimmy Jazz - Guelph, ON
w/ Noise and the Ghost & J.J. Ipsen
Friday, July 30, 2010
The Circus Room - Kitchener, ON
w/ J.J. Ipsen & Tyson Brinacombe
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
The Cajun Attic - Ottawa, ON
Indie Attic Showcase w/ Hayley Stark & the Donna Litas 
Saturday, June 26, 2010
the Agridome - Bonfield, ON
w/ Corner Stone
Saturday, June 19, 2010
The Elmdale Tavern - Ottawa, ON
w/ J.J. Ipsen & the Wind Up Radio Sessions

Friday, June 4, 2010
Ossia - Peterborough, ON
w/ Wind Up Radio Sessions & Chasing Bright Lights
Saturday, May 29, 2010
The Embassy (Pitter Patter Festival) - Toronto, ON
w/ Autumn Stones & Avery Island

Friday, May 28, 2010
Duffy's Tavern (w/ Pitter Patter Festival) - Toronto, ON
w/ the Barrettas, Honest I's & Dead Messenger

Thursday, May 20, 2010
Ottawa Tulip Festival MAIN STAGE - Ottawa, ON
w/ Amos the Transparent, Laurent Borque & Right by Midnight
Friday, April 30, 2010
The Blacksheep Inn - Wakefield QC
w/ Wind Up Radio Sessions
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Avant Garde Bar - Ottawa, ON
w/ Ornaments