I discovered a new musical love the other day, and since it’s currently on repeat in my ears and they are quintessentially Canadian, it’s only fitting that I share Chic Gamine with you.

Chic Gamine is a gorgeous-sounding quintet, consisting of singers Ariane Jean, Andrina Turenne, Alexa Dirks, Annick Brémault and drummer Sacha Daoud. Some of the members hail from Winnipeg, and the rest from Montreal. When they’re working on new material or getting ready for a tour they meet in one city for a week or two and put in long hours to polish their sound. I love that about them – so Canadian ;) They describe themselves as “impishly charming”, and have been performing together since 2007. I’m a little bummed that I didn’t find out about them until this week, but the good news is that I won’t have to wait long for more Chic Gamine music… their second independent album is ready to launch mid-October. If you’re in Winnipeg or Montreal, you’re in luck because they’re selling tickets for the CD release parties right now.

From their website, which I think describes them better than I ever could:

With a solo percussionist as their main musical support, Chic Gamine use their voices as instruments, effortlessly launching into intricate string arrangements, bass-heavy rhythm sections and lush harmonies.  These multifariously talented songwriters create a sound that resonates with soul, passion and an unabashedly random and sometimes downright peculiar brand of humour that reels audiences in and leaves them begging for more. Gospel, Soul, R’n’B, 50’s Doo-Wop, Brazilian forro and French Chanson are infused into the voices and rhythms of these 5 schemers and effervescent songmakers. And the whole is liberally doused with the happy-go-lucky impulsiveness unique to Chic Gamine.

Here’s a taste of their sound…

You can find them on iTunes, and I humbly suggest that you listen to Butterfly Woman and Days and Days – the preview clips for those 2 sold me on the whole album :) With their first Juno award under their belts already (a 2009 Juno for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year), I think it’s safe to say that we’ll all be hearing more from them in the future!

You can find the ladies (and one gent) of Chic Gamine on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, www.chicgamine.com and probably elsewhere! For a giggle, check out the video of their Juno acceptance speech, post-celebration in Hamilton, Montana where they were performing that night.

Happy listening!
~Sarah

P.S. Chic Gamine, if you’re reading this… when are you coming to Edmonton?!