Les Tireux d’Roches

Les Tireux d’Roches have come a long way since that night, back in 1998, at a small St-Élie-de-Caxton (Quebec) coffee shop where their journey began. Since then, from their North American homeland to Asia and Europe, the musicians have undeniably mastered the recipe for creating joy wherever the road takes them.  

Composed of Denis Massé (vocals and accordion), Dominic Lemieux (guitar, banjo, bouzouki and vocals), Pascal Veillette (harmonica, podorythmie, guitar and vocals), Luc Jason Murphy (flutes, baritone saxophone, bass clarinet and vocals) and David Robert (percussion and vocals), the five-piece band is now dropping Tapiskwan Sipi, their seventh full-length album in career. Deeply rooted in their local culture, the band’s creative landscape skilfully merges traditional, folk and world music. Teaming up once again with their accomplice, producer Davy Gallant, they address a true ode to the Mauricie region. Fine storytellers as they are with or without words, they here make a full instrumental turn to share the Saint-Maurice’s — also called Tapiskwan Sipi in Atikamekw — soulful story in their own way. The new album, inspired by these precious waters and hundreds of miles of memory and testimony, therefore pays tribute to the river.  

For Les Tireux d’Roches, making music they love, first and foremost, and against all odds, is what truly matters. Their passion for mixing genres, gathering and meeting people thus feeds their long-lasting adventure. In that sense, few artists can actually say they are still addicted to touring even after two decades spent on the road. They can. Drawing their vast experience from a pool of more than a thousand concerts to their credit, Les Tireux d’Roches genuinely enjoy playing and thrive when they are together. By their own admission, camaraderie is much likely the secret of their longevity. After more than twenty years in the saddles, there are so many stories they want to create, play and sing about.  

Driven by the time spent as a crew playing shows, the band considers the stage as an infinite playground, as a source of delight that is constantly renewable and renewed, thanks to the power of the audience. An intense symbiosis experienced with the crowd, a show by Les Tireux d’Roches guarantees to feel like a vibrant celebration. Truth be told, they definitely know how to leave their indelible mark on people’s hearts.

MEMBERS

Denis Massé : vocals and accordion

Dominic Lemieux : guitar, banjo, bouzouki and vocals

Pascal Veillette : harmonica, podorythmy, guitar and vocals

Luc Jason Murphy : flutes, baritone sax, bass clarinet and vocals

David Robert : percussion and vocals

AWARDS

2022 – GAMIQ – Winner – Traditional Album, Tapiskwan Sipi
2022 – ADISQ – Nomination – Best Traditional Album, Tapiskwan Sipi 2019 – OPUS Award – Nomination – Quebec Traditional Music
2018 – GAMIQ – Nomination – World Album/EP, Tarmacadam
2018 – ADISQ – Nomination – Best Traditional Album, Tarmacadam
2014 – ADISQ – Nomination – Traditional Album, “XO 15 ans d’âge
2012 – Best Concert 2012 by the Bugewitz-Audiece in Germany
2011 – Arts Excellence Award “Performing Arts
2010 – ADISQ – Nomination – Traditional Album for ” Cé qu’essé?
2010 – Canadian Folk Music Award – Nomination – “Group of the Year” category
2010 – Musicaction grant for the marketing of the album ” Cé qu’essé?
2010 – Canada Council for the Arts Grant for promotion and management
2008 – Canada Council for the Arts grant for management
2006 – Musicaction grant for the marketing of the album “Roche, Papier, Ciseaux
2006 – ADISQ – Nomination – Album “Roche, Papier, Ciseaux
2006 – American Folk Alliance – Nomination – for their album “Roche, Papier, Ciseaux
2006 – Indie Acoustic Project – Nomination – for their album “Roche Papier, Ciseaux
2006 – Selected for an official showcase at RIDEAU
2006 – Winner of the “Art de la scène en Mauricie” interpretation award
2005 – Canada Council for the Arts grant for the production of the album “Roche Papier, Ciseaux

HIGHLIGHTS

Folk sur le canal, Shanghai Arts Festival (China), Festival des Musiques d’Ici et d’Ailleurs (FR), Festival Het Lindeboom (FR), Festival Printemps des Bretelles (FR), Festival La Virée – Carleton-sur-mer, Festival Tobogan, American Folk, Festival – Bangor (US), Festiv’Halls – Décize (FR), Festival du Bois – Coquitlam (BC), Festival des Hivernants – Sept-Îles, Les Francos de Montréal, Festival Trad de Shawinigan, Festival des Cousins de d’Amérique (FR), Festival Mémoire et racines , Le Festif! , Hill Side Festival – Guelph (ON), Le Festival Accordéon Plein Pot (FR), Festival du Voyageur – Winnipeg (MB), Mariposa Folk Festival (ON), La Grande Rencontre, WOMEX – Spain