Barren Acres

It’s often subtle, really. Just a detail. Maybe it’s the twang of a banjo string, or one word wrapped up in the silence between two guitar notes. It might very well be their irresistible on-stage charisma, or the inspiring connection they so obviously share. Whatever it is, there is undoubtedly going to be something in Barren Acres’ sound which will win you over. Any indie-folk enthusiast will agree.

When that revelation (of sorts) comes, get ready, because you’re in for a spirited hike, down a deliciously thrilling path. The pair of multi-instrumentalists will take you in all kinds of places, they’ll be strumming guitars, banging drums and massaging pianos, while the harmonica sings the blues. You’ll soon realize that they’re a 2-piece full band, really.

Their repertoire includes both the dim, ethereal ballads and the hasty hayrides of raw, fiery folk; and everything in between. They tell stories of travelling, of wandering, they feature characters who are deeply human, who live and breathe in the middle of rich, textured atmospheres. These songs are sometimes full of dreams and longing, sometimes filled with unapologetic restlessness. In both cases, they leave an impression, whether you’re a blooming teenager or a wild-haired grandparent.

Quite a few things happened since Escapade, the first single Emilie Gosselin and Felix Brunet wrote together in 2013, sitting on a Montreal balcony. On top of their first EP being released in March 2016, the band has been performing steadily in all sorts of venues around Ontario and Quebec.