The weather report just came in, and it looks like this late winter snow might be due to the imminent arrival of a decidedly Quebecois influence.
The award-winning power quartet Le Vent du Nord — one of Quebec’s most revered traditional groups — is heading our way for a rare Western Canada tour.
These foot-stomping, invigorating, soulful, passionate bearers of tradition will perform March 11 at the Cumberland Hotel as part of the MusicFest Concert Series.
Expect some songs from their award-winning album Tromper le Temps, or Fooling Time. Hailing from times of late-night kitchen soirées, singing grandparents, and deep-rooted traditions, all four boys bring sincerity, talent, and modernity to every performance.
But not to be missed or overlooked is their profound sense of humour. If you don’t leave their show with a stitch in your side — from laughing, dancing, or attempting “les pieds” foot-rhythm — you may have accidentally gone to the wrong concert.
“The boys” are Nicolas Boulerice on hurdy-gurdy (also affectionately known as Bees in a Box for the transfixing buzzing noise it creates), piano and vocals; Olo Demers on fiddle, vocals and feet; Simon Beaudry on guitar and vocals; and Réjean Brunet on accordion, bass, and vocals.
Since 2002, the quartet has given more than 1,000 concerts worldwide, racking up several prestigious awards, including two Junos (Canada’s Grammies) for best roots album.
Celebrating their 10th anniversary in 2012 with a seventh album, Tromper le Temps, Le Vent du Nord returns to its roots, drawing from yesterday and today as it lets us glimpse hopes of possible tomorrows.
Tromper le Temps was nominated at the 2013 Juno Awards (Roots and Traditional album – Group), 2012 Canadian Folk Music Awards (Group of the Year, Album of the Year) and won the prestigious 2012 International Prize Charles Cros Academy (world music).
For more information, visit www.islandmusicfest.com/concerts.
— Vancouver Island MusicFest
