Qristina and Quinn Bachand

"Qristina & Quinn Bachand are a revelation!" (Alex Monaghan, Folkworld) "Two of the most important young musicians in the international Celtic music scene." (Angel Romero, World Music Central) "Qristina & Quinn Bachand are the most exciting act to come along in the world of Celtic music since.... well since anyone you care to mention." (Tim Readman, Penguin Eggs) "The Bachands have got the Celtic fever in spades and play it superbly." (Eric Thom, Roots Music Canada) "Qristina is a gutsy, fiery fiddle player, who injects real life into her playing... Quinn is nothing short of amazing.” (Fiona Heywood, The Living Tradition) Blood runs thicker than water it is said¬ and, in the case of the rich, genetic pooling of Bretagne (France) and Asturias (Spain) via Victoria, Canada, this fact is audibly apparent in the beautiful music of siblings Qristina & Quinn Bachand. With a youthful head start towards acquiring their vocal and instrumental prowess, the release of Relative Minors in ‘08 served notice of the arrival of a fresh-faced, Canadian-based, Celtic powerhouse. Qristina’s combination of shimmering vocals and inspirational fiddling to Quinn’s old-soul mastery of all things stringed, this brother and sister act clearly hit its mark with the music industry, garnering a mantle-packing collection of awards and recognition prior to the release of the next chapter, Family, three years later. Thrusting them to the top of the international Celtic music world, the pair has earned accolades and touring opportunities with the likes of Ashley MacIsaac and Natalie MacMaster, as well as the titles of Top Traditional Group and Top Duo at the Irish Music Awards, three Canadian Folk Music Award nominations, a Western Canadian Music Award nomination and four Vancouver Island Music Award nominations. You see where this is going… The intense musical bond shared by siblings conjures other famous Canadian acts – from Leahy and The Barra MacNeils to The Rankins and the MacIsaacs – acts steeped in the heady combination of youthful vigor and traditional Celtic-tinged folk music. Yet, the Bachands have already eclipsed any attempts to narrow their focus. As both artists pursue their love of music through their schooling – the classically-trained Qristina started at 6, following national and international fiddle scholarships while multi-instrumentalist and newfound singer, Quinn, currently follows his muse through securing the coveted Slaight Family Scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. His gypsy-jazz based side project, Brishen, has also distinguished Quinn within jazz circles, adding honours such as “Instrumental Album of the Year”, Saga Djangofest Award and a staggering five nominations from the Canadian Folk Music Awards. More committed than ever to their music, the siblings recently released their third album, Little Hinges (2015) – so titled for its sonic resemblance to the adage, “big things swing on little hinges”. As Qristina & Quinn lay waste to conventional expectations with this true hybrid marrying two worlds, blending spirited new sounds to pre-established Celtic traditions – Little Hinges yields big results. Carrying their audience with them, the charismatic duo add an exciting array of instruments and sound effects to their palate, further mining the emotional landscape while digging deep into what they already do well – on fiddle, guitar and banjo, supplemented by Quinn’s first-time vocals and artistry on over a dozen instruments. Little Hinges achieves its promise – opening the door and further exploring the Bachands’ diverse musical talents and bottomless pool of creativity. The results are arresting, provocative, stimulating and thoroughly intoxicating. NOMINATIONS & AWARDS: Nominee: 2015 Western Canadian Music Awards -Roots Duo/Group Recording of the Year Winner: 2013 Vancouver Island Music Awards - Young Performer of the Year Nominee: 2012 Western Canada Music Awards - World Music Album of the Year Winner: 2011 Irish Music Awards - Top Duo Nominee: 2011 Canadian Folk Music Awards - Instrumental Group of the Year - Young Performer of the Year Winner: 2010 Irish Music Awards - Top Traditional Group in Festival, Pub & Concert Nominee: 2009 Canadian Folk Music Awards - Young Performer of the Year An amalgam of heart-swelling, stomp & clap Celtic Roots & progressive Indie Folk qbachand.com