Growing up “hors du Québec” (outside of Québec), French music has always remained a cultural staple in both my Francophone schooling and home life. Raised under the shadow of two failed constitutional accords and Québec’s sovereignty crisis, I grew up with first-hand knowledge of the precarious nature of language, culture, and cultural distinction. Or rather, I understood how they mattered and continue to matter in an ever increasingly English world. As a Franco-Ontarienne raised in a minority linguistic community, Francophone artists encapsulated the voices of our history, our joy, our pain. The following artists are unique in their own artistic styles and aesthetics and have all contributed, quite simply, to the creation of good music.
Coeur de pirate
Twenty-two year old critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Coeur de pirate (aka Béatrice Martin) has been charming both Francophone and Anglophone audiences since 2008 with her self-titled debut album. Recently asked by Now Magazine whether a “Céline Dion-style linguistic makeover” was in her future, Martin responded, “since there are probably only about 60 million francophones in the world, which is nothing, I feel like I’m doing my part to preserve a language that is so beautiful.” Her newly released album, Blonde, certainly lives up to this vision.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sI9yYa2rggg
Karkwa
Formed in 1998, Karkwa has often been described as Québec’s best-kept secret. Yet, this all changed when their fourth album, Les chemins de verre, won the 2010 Polaris Music Prize for best Canadian album. Their sound has been described as atmospheric alt-rock.
Orange Orange
Ever since seeing Orange Orange live in Toronto, I’ve been seduced by this electronic pop rock duo. Never failing to be both colourful and creative, Sabrina Sabotage and Dom Hamel are also highly talented multi-instrumentalists. Worth a listen and a purchase.
http://youtu.be/MKlzM1cV1bE
Les Cowboys Fringants
Formed in 1995, Les Cowboys Fringants remain a highly popular band and their music is often described as Québécois néo-trad. Their songwriting is at times political in nature and highlight a variety of subject matters including poverty, sovereignty, exploitation, and Québec history. Multi-instrumentalist, Marie-Annick Lépine, has generally been recognized as a key element to the band’s success and sound.
Richard Desjardins
Richard Desjardins is often effusively compared to the great French-Canadian poets (Émile Nelligan, Anne Hébert) and songwriters (Gilles Vigneault and Félix Leclerc) of the past. Born in Northern Québec, Desjardins returned to the studio after a nine-year break and delighted both fans and critics with his newly released album, L’existoire. Aside from music, he is equally well-known as a film director, and for the past thirty years has attempted to shed light on both Canada’s environmental degradation and the ongoing denial of Aboriginal rights.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srl6jjBbeh0
La patère rose
Disbanded as of June 2011, La patère rose were an infectious and colourful electro-pop group. As a going away present, they’ve made available free of charge “Avec toi dedans” from their final concert held in the Cabaret du Mile-End.
Radio Radio
If you ever wondered what Acadian French-English electro hip hop sounded like, here is your chance. With the release of their first EP, Télé Télé, in 2007, Radio Radio gained an ever-widening audience through word-of-mouth. With a nomination for “Revelation of the year” (Révélation de l’année) at the Félix awards and after being shortlisted for a 2010 Polaris Music Prize, the trio has gained traction both within and outside of Canada.
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