Winnipeg/ Montreal soul/ pop band Chic Gamine are excited to show off their new sound during their first visit to Lethbridge, Sept. 29 at the Geomatic Attic with Lindi Ortega.
They will release their fourth CD “Light a Match” on Oct. 23, but have just released the title track as first single.
“It took a while. We’ve been a band for eight years and released three albums since the last one. It’s been about five years. so it has been a long time coming,” said Alexa Dirks, one of two Winnipeg based members of the band.
The other three including newest member, multi-instrumentalist Benoit Morier live in Montreal.
“We actually see each other more than you’d think. When we’re touring the East, the Winnipeg members fly to Montreal to rehearse and when we tour the west, the Montreal members fly to Winnipeg. And we spend a lot of time touring,” she said.
She noted the band’s French Canadian roots are an important part of the band's sound.
“I’m the only one who isn’t French. Winnipeg has a strong French community. All the other members grew up speaking French and in bilingual households,” she said.
She said the CD is a departure from their previous works which were centred on four harmonizing female voices.
“I’m excited for people to hear it. Our sound used to be based around four female voices and one male. But we have a different sound on some different members,” she said adding they parted amicable with founding member Ariannia Jean two years ago so she could focus on raising her new baby. So Dirks and Andrina Turenne, Annick Bremault and drummer Sascha Daoud welcomed long time friend and multi-instrumentalist bass/guitar player Benoit Morier.
“ It started around female vocals, it still is, but this CD has a little more of a full band sound,”she said.
“ This new CD has more of a soul and rock sound. We’re very pleased with it. The album has been ready for a while and we’re really really proud of it,” she said.
They are excited to play five shows with Toronto/ Nashville outlaw country musician Lindi Ortega.
“I knew some of her songs, but when we found out about the tour, I definitely got to know her music more. It’s very beautiful,” she said.
Chic Gamine have never played Lethbridge before but are looking forward to experiencing it.
“People can expect to see five people who really want to party and us playing music from the new album,” she said.
She noted the group's vocal harmonies have changed with time.
“We’re a lot more experienced now. And we’re learning to sing more in unison as well as how to sing harmonies,” she continued.
“We spend a lot of time together. We’ve spent a lot of time getting the CD together and a lot of time getting the stage show together and the tour together,” she said.
The show begins at 8 p.m., Sept. 29. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $42.50.
— by Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor
