Local Juno-winning band releases full-length album

TAYLOR ISHAM, CONTRIBUTOR
Members of Chic Gamine are preparing themselves for a Canada-wide tour promoting their latest album Light a Match. Chic Gamine members from left, Benoit Morier, Andrina Turenne, Sacha Daoud, Alexa Dirks and Annick Brémault. SUPPLIED/Rachel Boese

Members of Chic Gamine are preparing themselves for a Canada-wide tour promoting their latest album Light a Match. Chic Gamine members from left, Benoit Morier, Andrina Turenne, Sacha Daoud, Alexa Dirks and Annick Brémault. SUPPLIED/Rachel Boese

 

“We’ve been a band for going on eight years and we put our hearts and souls into all of this,” said vocalist Andrina Turenne.

The Winnipeg and Montreal based band released “Light a Match” on Oct. 23. Chic Gamine began recording the album in Winnipeg in the spring of 2014, but had to put recording on hold when it started taking too long.

“It felt like we hadn’t captured that spark we wanted,” said Turenne. “So, we came back at it last fall and recorded it at our drummer Sacha Daoud’s house in Montreal.”

The Winnipeg group formed in 2007. Extensive touring throughout Canada and the United States quickly followed. In reaction to their popularity, the band recorded and released their first self-titled album in 2008.

In 2009, they won a Juno Award for Best Roots album.

“We for sure expected not to win,” said Turenne. “In fact at the time, we had shows booked in Montana, so we opted to just stay on our tour. Then we found out in the middle of our show that we won the Juno. It was just insane.”

With their new album release only one month ago, the band has already wrapped up their latest tour. The last stop was at The Good Will in Winnipeg on Nov. 21. They toured from Montreal to Alberta, including some stops in the U.S. — a chore for some, but an adventure for members of Chic Gamine.

“It’s taken us to a lot of amazing places and I think we’re fortunate to have done a lot of it,” said Turenne. “It ebbs and flows over the course of eight years. Sometimes you’re focusing more on one region than another, but we get to go back to the places we love.”

People that aren’t familiar with Chic Gamine’s sound can expect a variety of blues, roots and a strong focus on vocal harmonies. Turenne, Alexa Dirks and Annick Brémault belt it out with their vocal chemistry, while drummer Daoud and guitarist Benoit Morier provide the rhythm section.

“Light a Match” touches on the band’s classic sound, but Turenne said the crowd is usually a mix of fans and new listeners.

“People have been very receptive, which is really cool,” she said.