Artist Profiles: Les Batinses

Les Batinses

“Batinses” is a Quebec vernacular expression that derives from the word baptism and is a mild and irreverent profanity. It seemed the perfect name for this lively, tongue-in-cheek group from Quebec City, when it was formed in 1994. The group came into existence when six university students were studying Quebec folklore and happened to pick up some acoustic instruments and started experimenting with traditional sounds. Soon, they were performing for live audiences and finding themselves more and more in demand on the touring circuit.

Today, with instruments that range from the acoustic guitar and soprano sax all the way to the bouzouki, whistles and “angelic vocals,” the six-member group specializes in what they call “Made in Quebec” world music. They note with pride that their work has been variously described as “funklore” or “trashditional,” underlining what they see as their success in revitalizing Quebec’s traditional music for the 21st century.

The music of Les Batinses draws its strength from traditional ballads and its energy from old-fashioned reels and polkas, but it is also capable of erupting into salsa and rumba, and it even adds Balkan rhythms into the musical net. The musicians themselves cite influences as varied as Nina Hagen and Hedningarna and, in performance, are proud to claim “the energy of The Pogues in their glory days.”

Francois Morrissette – Acoustic Guitar, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Harmonica, Jaw Harp, Charango, Step, Voice

Mathieu Girard – Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Charango, Voice

Todd Picard – Bass, Mandolin, Voice

Andre Bilodeau – Fiddle, Viola, Voice,

Fred Lebrasseur – Drums, Percussion, Didgeridoo

Jocelyn Guilmette – Alto and Soprano Saxophone, Fiddle, Flute, Voice

Discography

Minuit Trois (Les Batinses, 1996)
Charivari (Les Batinses-Seppuku, 1997)
Tripotage (Mille-pattes, 2000)
L’autre monde (Mille-pattes, 2002)
Eaux-de-vie (Seppuku, 2006)

Author: Angel Romero

Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.

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One Reply to “Artist Profiles: Les Batinses”

  1. Les Batinses-tripotages
    One of the best nights Ever had was watching les batinses at Celtic Connections approx. 2000/2001. I spoke to the guitarist. A tall fellow.
    Loved the concert. Funny and, engaging.

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