It may not be June in Siberia, but for one Montreal band, March in Armstrong will have to do.
Mark Berube, who last visited the Armstrong Inn in September, is returning to play the inn’s pub, this time with his band, Sunday.
Currently on tour across Canada, Berube and The Patriotic Few are performing their unique blend of indie chamber-folk in support of new album, June in Siberia.
The band features pianist/accordionist Berube, formerly of Vancouver’s The Fugitives who has been compared to a young Leonard Cohen for his lyrical brevity and craftsmanship, along with Kristina Koropecki on cello, Patrick Dugas on drums, and Amélie Mandeville on bass.
Recorded by Howard Bilerman (Arcade Fire, Basia Bulat, Silver Mt Zion) live off the floor at Montreal’s Hotel 2 Tango, June In Siberia is the full-length follow up to the band’s 2008 release, What The Boat Gave The River.
The new CD sees a departure for Berube and The Patriotic Few from their previous experimentation, with large-scale arrangements of strings and horns, choosing instead to hone in on the impressive vocal and instrumental strengths of each member.
The album also includes some special guests including Vancouver’s Dan Mangan, who appears on the song Side of the Road. Prix Victoire recipient Emily Loizeau sings a verse in the redemptive eulogy Above the Ground, while CR Avery lends a poem in Let Me Go, and Hattie Webb of the Webb Sisters lends her voice to the blues-piano riff Fela Kuti-inspired ballad and first single My Me Lady.
Hear the songs live when Mark Berube and the Patriotic Few play the Armstrong Inn Sunday at 8 p.m.
Tickets are on sale at the inn’s liquor store. Call 250-546-3056 or visit www.armstronginn.com for more info.
