Quinn and Qristina Bachand start 2016 in front of an intimate hometown audience.
“We are looking forward to performing for our local fans. We have had so much support over the years and it’s always great seeing familiar faces in the audience,” Qristina said. “We have the greatest audiences, they have been very supportive over the years and we are very grateful for that. We just look forward to seeing them and feeling their energy.”
Last summer’s US government computer hack created major delays in processing times for artists’ work visas, putting the kibosh on the duo’s booked 10-day tour with concerts in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont. The costly cancellation means a win for local fans.
They were last in town in June for a CD release tour that included a full-band Victoria concert in a 700-seat venue. “The Upstairs Lounge at Oak Bay Rec is much smaller and therefore the show will be more intimate,” she said. “We’ll be performing as a duo, which is how we started and how we usually perform, although we expect to have a few friends join us.”
Quinn returns to Greater Victoria from juggling studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston and touring for the past year and a half. Qristina has been living in Europe the past three years, first in Amsterdam, before moving to Ireland in September to work on a masters in Irish traditional music at the University of Limerick.
“It would feel weird not to spend Christmas here at home,” said Qristina.
The siblings look forward to performing a mix of material from their three albums, leaning heavily on the most recent, Little Hinges – Jan. 2 at Upstairs Lounge at Oak Bay Rec Centre. “Our first two albums were primarily instrumental music, but our new album features a lot more vocal songs, so we look forward to that,” Qristina said.
The evening starts with a short set by local trio My Boulder House – three string players who are also part of fiddle ensemble Coastline. Then the duo takes the stage for a couple sets featuring all their favourite pieces such as Crooked Jack, Three Little Babes and What You Do With What You’ve Got.
“We’ll also perform our favourite instrumental medleys, lots of Irish jigs and reels, that sort of thing,” Qristina said. “While the songs we sing tend to be a bit ‘dark’, we’ll balance those out with some stomp and clap Celtic fiddle.”
Qristina and Quinn Bachand and guests perform Jan. 2 at 7:30 p.m., Upstairs Lounge at Oak Bay Recreation Centre, 1975 Bee St. Advance tickets $15 ($20 at the door) available at Lyle’s Place, Ivy’s Bookshop & Oak Bay Rec Centre reception and online at beaconridgeproductions.com.
