Large Plants La Isla Bonita

This unlikely cover version of Madonna’s perennial pop favourite first came to the attention of Ghost Box records when Large Plants front man, Jack Sharp posted it on his social media channels as an April Fool’s gag. Plenty of followers were taken in by this perfectly crafted gem that sounds uncannily like it must have always existed and predated the original.

Plenty of followers were taken in by this perfectly crafted gem that sounds uncannily like it must have always existed and predated the original.

It’s a super heavy, scuzzed up, psych sound, at the same time shot through with Mediterranean sunlight. It’s by no means a parody though; rather a respectful interpretation of a perfectly formed pop masterpiece and is officially sanctioned by the publishers, for release on this highly desirable chunk of heavyweight vinyl by Ghost box Records.

Large Plants started as a solo project for Jack Sharp singer and guitarist of psych-folk luminaries Wolf People, while that band are on hiatus. It was spurred on by a song writing and recording frenzy during the lockdown of 2020 when Sharp played and recorded all instruments for the songs on the single and forthcoming album. In summer of 2021 the tracks were mixed by songwriter Chris Cohen (formerly of Deerhoof & Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti). The resulting sound is a kind of scuzzy, heavy, psych rock, sweetened by a rich vein of bucolic sorrow that Sharp’s vocal never fails to convey.

Sharp has now assembled a four-piece band and has started to tour the new material, to coincide with the Ghost Box releases.