Population II is a band dedicated to its disengagement, constantly working on refining their imposing, yet unpretentious sound. A trio consisting of singer/drummer Pierre-Luc Gratton, guitarist/keyboardist Tristan Lacombe and bassist Sébastien Provençal, Population II are masters at both improvised madness and sophisticated composition, delivering heavy psychedelic rock infused with feverish funk rhythms, a hint of jazz philosophy, a burst of energy reminiscent of punk's early days, and a love of minor scales that harkens back to the roots of heavy metal.
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 their hometown of Pointe-Calumet and, above all, by the deep friendship and undeniable chemistry emerging from its three members.
The roots of Population II go back a long way and are inextricably linked to its members’ teenage memories. After years of jamming to the point of developing a sense of telepathy, the trio began recording a handful of independent releases that soon caught the attention of the independent label Castle Face Records. Thus was born À la Ô Terre, their first label-released album, which came out in 2020.
They returned in 2023 with Électrons libres du québec, their sophomore album, this time released on Bonsound. A little more straightforward than its predecessor, the record reflects a natural progression of the sound the trio established on their previous releases, showing a sharp sense of songcraft and the undeniable expertise of their instruments.
On a creative spree, Population II struck again the following year with their EP Serpent Échelle in the spring, and a split EP with local punk act Mulch in the fall. With this prolific sequence of releases, the band laid the groundwork for Maintenant Jamais, a third full-length album on which they stir up their various formative influences with sophistication, resulting in fourteen catchy, transgressive tracks. Released in March 2025, the album was shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize the same year.
Although Population II has kept busy touring internationally, sometimes supporting bands such as OSEES, SLIFT, and Frankie and the Witch Fingers, and playing at festivals like Levitation and Hipnosis, their creativity remains just as strong. After teaming up with You Doo Right and Nolan Potter to release the collective and improvised effort You II avec Nolan Potter in the fall of 2025, the group returns this spring with the EP Gimmicks, which predominantly features keyboards and synthesizers.
