As unofficial cultural ambassadors of French-speaking Canada, Le Vent du Nord (The Wind of the North) keeps their music both dignified and commanding. Their alluring je ne sais quoi revolves around masterful musicians providing snappy instrumentals, evocative vocals, rousing responses in sweet, tasteful, dynamic musical arrangements full of soul and spirit. I was fortunate to catch them live in Eugene, Oregon on February 21, 2024 to meet them and observe their artistic presentation first-hand.

The five versatile musicians come across more as a howling gael than as a zephyr. Nicolas Boulerice (hurdy gurdy) has a passion for traditional music that has led him to Ireland and France, and stints with Ad Vielle que Pourra, Montcorbier and others.  Simon Beaudry (guitar, bouzouki, vocals) inherited a solid family musical background before earning his music degree at Joliette College.  Trained as a violinist, Olivier Demers (guitar, fiddle, mandolin, feet) started out in chamber music, moved on to jazz, but now describes himself as a violoneux (fiddler) who has devoted the past decade to traditional music. Réjean Brunet (bass, diatonic accordion, piano) who started playing Québecois traditional music as a very young boy, toured and recorded for eight years with La Volée d’Castors. Fiddler André Brunet’s unwavering energy and refined style earned him a spot performing with La Bottine Souriante for ten years. He’s the relative newcomer to Le Vent du Nord, having joined them in 2018, and he provides some of the masterful foot work percussion also heard on their latest album, Voisinages.

Exploring the universal theme of Voisinages (neighbourhoods), the album emphasizes the connections and closeness between musical neighbors such as the Irish, Scots, Acadians and Americans who have all enriched Québec’s repertoire. They also acknowledge those neighbors who share common boundaries and bear witness to history, battles, wrongdoings, losses, friendships, and love.

Together for over 20, the band has performed at 2,100 shows on four continents. Le Vent du Nord’s musical vision continues to emphasize highly-arranged lively, joyful instrumental tunes, as well as sweet, catchy and pleasant material that features their vocal prowess together. Combining traditional with original material, the leading force in Quebec’s progressive francophone folk movement has a vast repertoire of reels, festive instrumental dance suites, historical ballads, love stories, and marches. In keeping with their signature sound, their music is cohesive, energetic and evocative, whether it’s snappy and upbeat offering or sublime and contemplative.  Standout tracks are the joyful opener, “Par-Dessus Le Pont” and “L'Arcadie”, an a cappella suite of Québecois melodies accompanied by foot tapping. The suite combines a traditional melody from Cape Breton with another tune written on the lands of the old Acadians of Richelieu. (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)