Les Cowboys Fringants
Encyclopedia
Les Cowboys Fringants are a popular band and cult
phenomenon from Quebec
, who perform Québécois
néo-trad
music (modernized Quebec folk music
with a rock flavour), the band also draws on Country music
. They have gained an international underground following, especially in France
, French-speaking Belgium
and Switzerland
. There is even a group of French fans called Les Cousins Fringants (a take on the expression cousin that the French use to affectionately call French Canadians). They hail from the Montreal
suburb
of Repentigny
and L'Assomption. The entire band collaborates on the lyrics, although guitarist Jean-François Pauzé often contributes more than the others. The fundamental aspect of the band are their explosive live performances, captured on the Attache ta tuque live album and the Centre Bell 30 décembre 2003 DVD.
. They are part of the néo-trad
movement that appeared in Quebec around the turn of the 21st century, and they embody a resurgence of political
songwriting (after the drought of the 1980s and parts of the 1990s, political songwriting had been a victim of Post-Referendum Syndrome). As the néo-trad movement adapts Quebec folklore into contemporary crafts, the political message of the band is a re-occurrence of 1970s chansonnier
activist messages of left-wing solidarity
and, recently, sovereignism, although in a more distinctly modern way. They also sometimes adopt a minimalist
& dadaesque style, a trend of the Quebec music scene of the 2000s - a decade of voluntary simple yet nonetheless quite intelligent and Joual
lyrics, therefore subversive and akin to a sort of lyrical naïve art
. (The 1970s did see the first wave of voluntary Joual art, like the songs of Robert Charlebois
and Aut'chose, and the plays of Michel Tremblay
, although not as willingly exaggerated. This is present even more so in the music of Les Trois Accords
, Les Denis Drolet, Daniel Boucher
, or in "Pépé et sa Guitare"'s (Pépé and his Guitar) song Carole).
The usual subject matter of the group includes: environmentalism
, poverty
, anguish
and family troubles
, as well as the denouncing of consumerism
, exploitation
, state-controlled gambling
, cynical government attitude and political apathy
. While some of those subjects are serious in appearance, they are often treated in a light manner, sometimes even in a fun, amusing and ironic way. The band also deals with themes of Quebec history
, Quebec independence, suburban life, childhood and adolescence, kitsch
, relationships and sports. Their songwriting is renowned for having woven an elaborate tapestry of fictional characters with interpersonal
relationships, and sometimes a number of these characters appear in more than one song. Much like their writing, the clothes of the male members of the band are quite unique, sometimes purposely normal or kitsch and something of a postmodern, second degree artistic statement. Fans have followed the trend by wearing the equally kitsch t-shirts and other official clothing, with the group logo.
The band themselves are noted fans of Passe-Partout
composer Pierre F. Brault and have performed shows in his honor. They have also been influenced by French
singer Renaud
, and his songs with political messages and local popular language (for Renaud, the French argot
).
Many of the idiosyncrasies of their music stem from Marie-Annick Lépine
, a versatile musician
, who makes the band line up distinct from the conventional guitar-bass-drums-singer. Her talents contribute to the vivacious sounds of instruments like the violin
, mandolin
and accordion
. She has also worked on the Dumas
album Le cours des jours.
The band are currently (summer 2011) on tour visiting cities all over Quebec, France and Switzerland.
Previous members:
Cult
The word cult in current popular usage usually refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre. The word originally denoted a system of ritual practices...
phenomenon from Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, who perform Québécois
French-speaking Quebecer
French-speaking Quebecers are francophone residents of the Canadian province of Quebec....
néo-trad
Néo-trad
Néo-trad is a musical style from Quebec that arose around the turn of the 21st century. It can be considered a subgenre of Québécois Trad music. The term combines the Greek prefix neo, meaning new, and the contraction of the word traditionnelle, as in traditional music.It basically constitutes...
music (modernized Quebec folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
with a rock flavour), the band also draws on Country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
. They have gained an international underground following, especially in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, French-speaking Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
and Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. There is even a group of French fans called Les Cousins Fringants (a take on the expression cousin that the French use to affectionately call French Canadians). They hail from the Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
of Repentigny
Repentigny, Quebec
Repentigny is an off-island suburb of Montreal, in the province of Quebec, located north of Montreal, on the lower end of the L'Assomption River and on the Saint Lawrence River. Repentigny and Charlemagne are the first towns off the island of Montreal.-History:...
and L'Assomption. The entire band collaborates on the lyrics, although guitarist Jean-François Pauzé often contributes more than the others. The fundamental aspect of the band are their explosive live performances, captured on the Attache ta tuque live album and the Centre Bell 30 décembre 2003 DVD.
Overview
Les Cowboys represent an important part of modern Québécois musicMusic of Quebec
Being a modern cosmopolitan society, today, all types of music can be found in the Canadian province of Quebec. What is specific to Quebec though are traditional songs, a unique variety of Celtic music, legions of excellent jazz musicians, a culture of classical music, and a love of foreign rhythms...
. They are part of the néo-trad
Néo-trad
Néo-trad is a musical style from Quebec that arose around the turn of the 21st century. It can be considered a subgenre of Québécois Trad music. The term combines the Greek prefix neo, meaning new, and the contraction of the word traditionnelle, as in traditional music.It basically constitutes...
movement that appeared in Quebec around the turn of the 21st century, and they embody a resurgence of political
Politics of Quebec
The politics of Quebec are centred on a provincial government resembling that of the other Canadian provinces, namely a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. The capital of the province is Quebec City, where the Lieutenant Governor, Premier, the legislature, and cabinet reside.The...
songwriting (after the drought of the 1980s and parts of the 1990s, political songwriting had been a victim of Post-Referendum Syndrome). As the néo-trad movement adapts Quebec folklore into contemporary crafts, the political message of the band is a re-occurrence of 1970s chansonnier
Chansonnier
A chansonnier is a manuscript or printed book which contains a collection of chansons, or polyphonic and monophonic settings of songs, hence literally "song-books," although some manuscripts are so called even though they preserve the text but not the music A chansonnier is a manuscript or...
activist messages of left-wing solidarity
Social democracy
Social democracy is a political ideology of the center-left on the political spectrum. Social democracy is officially a form of evolutionary reformist socialism. It supports class collaboration as the course to achieve socialism...
and, recently, sovereignism, although in a more distinctly modern way. They also sometimes adopt a minimalist
Minimalism
Minimalism describes movements in various forms of art and design, especially visual art and music, where the work is set out to expose the essence, essentials or identity of a subject through eliminating all non-essential forms, features or concepts...
& dadaesque style, a trend of the Quebec music scene of the 2000s - a decade of voluntary simple yet nonetheless quite intelligent and Joual
Joual
Joual is the common name for the linguistic features of basilectal Quebec French that are associated with the French-speaking working class in Montreal which has become a symbol of national identity for a large number of artists from that area...
lyrics, therefore subversive and akin to a sort of lyrical naïve art
Naïve art
Naïve art is a classification of art that is often characterized by a childlike simplicity in its subject matter and technique. While many naïve artists appear, from their works, to have little or no formal art training, this is often not true...
. (The 1970s did see the first wave of voluntary Joual art, like the songs of Robert Charlebois
Robert Charlebois
Robert Charlebois, OC, OQ is a Quebec author, composer, musician, performer and actor. He is an important figure in French language song....
and Aut'chose, and the plays of Michel Tremblay
Michel Tremblay
Michel Tremblay, CQ is a Canadian novelist and playwright.Tremblay grew up in the Plateau Mont-Royal, a French-speaking neighbourhood of Montreal, at the time of his birth a neighbourhood with a working-class character and joual dialect, something that would heavily influence his work...
, although not as willingly exaggerated. This is present even more so in the music of Les Trois Accords
Les Trois Accords
Les Trois Accords is a rock band from Drummondville, Quebec. The band launched its first album Gros mammouth album in 2003. Some of the notable songs, taken from that album, include "Hawaïenne", "Saskatchewan" and "Lucille". Along with their videos, these songs received heavy exposure in Quebec...
, Les Denis Drolet, Daniel Boucher
Daniel Boucher (musician)
Daniel Boucher is a Québécois musician.Born in Montreal, he has released 3 studio albums up to now, Dix Mille Matins on October 12, 1999, La patente on February 24, 2004 and Le soleil est sorti on November 11, 2008...
, or in "Pépé et sa Guitare"'s (Pépé and his Guitar) song Carole).
The usual subject matter of the group includes: environmentalism
Environmentalism
Environmentalism is a broad philosophy, ideology and social movement regarding concerns for environmental conservation and improvement of the health of the environment, particularly as the measure for this health seeks to incorporate the concerns of non-human elements...
, poverty
Poverty
Poverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...
, anguish
Anguish
Anguish is a term used in philosophy, often as a translation from the German Angst. It is a paramount feature of existentialist philosophy, in which anguish is often understood as the experience of an utterly free being in a world with zero absolutes...
and family troubles
Dysfunctional family
A dysfunctional family is a family in which conflict, misbehavior, and often abuse on the part of individual members occur continually and regularly, leading other members to accommodate such actions. Children sometimes grow up in such families with the understanding that such an arrangement is...
, as well as the denouncing of consumerism
Consumerism
Consumerism is a social and economic order that is based on the systematic creation and fostering of a desire to purchase goods and services in ever greater amounts. The term is often associated with criticisms of consumption starting with Thorstein Veblen...
, exploitation
Exploitation
This article discusses the term exploitation in the meaning of using something in an unjust or cruel manner.- As unjust benefit :In political economy, economics, and sociology, exploitation involves a persistent social relationship in which certain persons are being mistreated or unfairly used for...
, state-controlled gambling
Gambling
Gambling is the wagering of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods...
, cynical government attitude and political apathy
Political apathy
Political apathy is the indifference on the part of citizen of any country as regards their attitude towards political activities; for example: elections, public opinons, civic responsibilities, etc. A broader way of referring to political apathy in a country is to consider its political culture...
. While some of those subjects are serious in appearance, they are often treated in a light manner, sometimes even in a fun, amusing and ironic way. The band also deals with themes of Quebec history
History of Quebec
Quebec has played a special role in Canadian history; it is the site where French settlers founded the colony of Canada in the 17th and 18th centuries.-Paleoindian Era :...
, Quebec independence, suburban life, childhood and adolescence, kitsch
Kitsch
Kitsch is a form of art that is considered an inferior, tasteless copy of an extant style of art or a worthless imitation of art of recognized value. The concept is associated with the deliberate use of elements that may be thought of as cultural icons while making cheap mass-produced objects that...
, relationships and sports. Their songwriting is renowned for having woven an elaborate tapestry of fictional characters with interpersonal
Interpersonal communication
Interpersonal communication is usually defined by communication scholars in numerous ways, usually describing participants who are dependent upon one another. It...
relationships, and sometimes a number of these characters appear in more than one song. Much like their writing, the clothes of the male members of the band are quite unique, sometimes purposely normal or kitsch and something of a postmodern, second degree artistic statement. Fans have followed the trend by wearing the equally kitsch t-shirts and other official clothing, with the group logo.
The band themselves are noted fans of Passe-Partout
Passe-Partout
Passe-Partout was a Quebec French language children's television program produced by Radio-Québec that was in production from 1977 to 1987. It aired on Radio-Québec, Radio-Canada and TVOntario, lasting on some networks until 1998...
composer Pierre F. Brault and have performed shows in his honor. They have also been influenced by French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
singer Renaud
Renaud
Renaud, born Renaud Séchan, is a French singer, songwriter and actor.Renaud may also refer to:* Renaud , a male French given name* Renaud , a 1783 opera by Antonio Sacchini* Renaud, Quebec, part of Laval, Quebec...
, and his songs with political messages and local popular language (for Renaud, the French argot
Argot
An Argot is a secret language used by various groups—including, but not limited to, thieves and other criminals—to prevent outsiders from understanding their conversations. The term argot is also used to refer to the informal specialized vocabulary from a particular field of study, hobby, job,...
).
Many of the idiosyncrasies of their music stem from Marie-Annick Lépine
Marie-Annick Lépine
Marie-Annick Lépine, , member of the group Les Cowboys Fringants . A multi-instrumentalist , Marie-Annick is a key element in the success of Les Cowboys Fringants...
, a versatile musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, who makes the band line up distinct from the conventional guitar-bass-drums-singer. Her talents contribute to the vivacious sounds of instruments like the violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
, mandolin
Mandolin
A mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
and accordion
Accordion
The accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist....
. She has also worked on the Dumas
Dumas (singer)
Dumas is a Québécois singer and a native of Victoriaville, Quebec.- Profile :He came out with his first album Dumas en 2001, when he was 21. His second album, Le cours des jours made him more well-known. One song on the Le cours des jours album was sung by Marie-Annick Lépine, from the group Les...
album Le cours des jours.
The band are currently (summer 2011) on tour visiting cities all over Quebec, France and Switzerland.
Members
- Karl Tremblay (vocals)
- Jean-François "J-F" Pauzé (guitar)
- Marie-Annick LépineMarie-Annick LépineMarie-Annick Lépine, , member of the group Les Cowboys Fringants . A multi-instrumentalist , Marie-Annick is a key element in the success of Les Cowboys Fringants...
(violin, mandolin, accordion, piano, banjo etc.) - Jérôme Dupras (bass guitar, double bass)
Previous members:
- Dominique "Domlebo" Lebeau (drums) - Left the group on August 22, 2007, citing personal reasons.
Discography
- 12 Grandes chansons - (1997)
- Sur mon canapé - (1998)
- Motel CapriMotel CapriMotel Capri is the name of the third album by Québécois néo-trad band Les Cowboys Fringants.-Track listing:#Su' mon big Wheel - 0:11#Le plombier - 3:03#Québécois de souche - 2:04...
- (April 4, 2000) - (listen) - Enfin RéunisEnfin RéunisEnfin Réunis is the name of the fifth album by Québécois néo-trad band Les Cowboys Fringants. It's a double album . This album is actually the first two albums by Les Cowboys Fringants 12 grandes chansons and Sur mon canapé...
(12 grandes chansons + Sur Mon Canapé) - (November 20, 2001) - (listen) - Break syndicalBreak syndicalBreak syndical is the name of the fourth album by Québécois néo-trad band Les Cowboys Fringants.-Track listing:#En berne - 4:08#La tête à Papineau - 4:30#Toune d'automne - 3:35#Heavy metal - 3:40...
- (March 5, 2002) - (listen) - Attache ta tuque!Attache ta tuque!Attache ta tuque ! is a 2003 double live album by Québécois néo-trad band Les Cowboys Fringants. This album also included a bonus video DVD with music videos and some shots from the live show.-Disc one:#Heavy Metal#Québécois de souche #Le pouceux...
- (May 13, 2003; live album) - (listen) - La Grand MesseLa Grand MesseLa Grand-Messe is a well-known album by the Québécois néo-trad band Les Cowboys Fringants. Its biggest hit was "Les étoiles filantes".-Track listing:#Intro - 1:05#Les étoiles filantes - 4:25#Ti-cul - 3:08...
- (November 23, 2004) - (listen) - Au Grand Théâtre de Québec - (2007; live album)
- L'expéditionL'expéditionL'Expédition is an album by Les Cowboys Fringants. It was released in September 2008 and reached the number one spot on the Quebec music charts.-Tracklist:#Droit devant#Chêne et roseau#Entre deux taxis#La Catherine#Histoire de pêche#Bobo...
- (September 23, 2008) - Sur un air de déjà vuSur un air de déjà vuSur un air de déjà vu is a studio album released in 2008 by Québécois néo-trad band Les Cowboys Fringants. This album mainly features songs with a lighter tone as the band did on their first few albums.-Track listing:# Chanteur pop# Beau-frère...
- (October 14, 2008) - En concert au Zénith de ParisEn concert au Zénith de ParisEn concert au Zénith de Paris is a live album recorded in Paris, France, which was released in 2010 by the Québécois néo-trad band Les Cowboys Fringants. This album mainly features songs from their 2008 studio album L'expédition...
- (2010; live album) - Que du vent - (November 14, 2011)
See also
- Néo-tradNéo-tradNéo-trad is a musical style from Quebec that arose around the turn of the 21st century. It can be considered a subgenre of Québécois Trad music. The term combines the Greek prefix neo, meaning new, and the contraction of the word traditionnelle, as in traditional music.It basically constitutes...
- Quebec sovereignism
- Politics of QuebecPolitics of QuebecThe politics of Quebec are centred on a provincial government resembling that of the other Canadian provinces, namely a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. The capital of the province is Quebec City, where the Lieutenant Governor, Premier, the legislature, and cabinet reside.The...
- List of Quebec musicians
- Music of QuebecMusic of QuebecBeing a modern cosmopolitan society, today, all types of music can be found in the Canadian province of Quebec. What is specific to Quebec though are traditional songs, a unique variety of Celtic music, legions of excellent jazz musicians, a culture of classical music, and a love of foreign rhythms...
- Culture of QuebecCulture of QuebecThe Culture of Quebec emerged over the last few hundred years, resulting from the shared history of the French-speaking majority in Quebec. It is unique to the Western World; Quebec is the only region in North America with a French-speaking majority, as well as one of only two provinces in Canada...
External links
- Official site (in French)
- Official forum (in French)