Biography
For 20 years now, Avec pas d'casque has been crafting their intimate folk on record and on stage. Born from the meeting of Stéphane Lafleur (guitar and vocals) and Joël Vaudreuil (drums), the duo gradually expanded into a quartet with the addition of Nicolas Moussette (bass, lap steel) and Mathieu Charbonneau (euphonium, keyboards). Initially influenced by lo-fi folk and country music, the band has developed a unique sound over time, supported by vivid and sensitive lyrics. Recognized multiple times at the ADISQ Gala, the group has won the Félix award in the categories of "Songwriter of the Year" and "Album of the Year – Critics' Choice," and was also featured on the Polaris Prize long list in 2012. Their discography includes the albums Trois chaudières de sang, Dans la nature jusqu’au cou, Astronomie, and Effets spéciaux. After an 8-year hiatus dedicated to parallel projects (cinematic and musical), Avec pas d’casque is back in the studio preparing their next chapter.
For 20 years now, Avec pas d’casque has been shaping its intimate folk both on record and on stage. Born from the meeting of Stéphane Lafleur (guitar and vocals) and Joël Vaudreuil (drums), the duo gradually expanded into a quartet with the addition of Nicolas Moussette (bass, lap steel) and Mathieu Charbonneau (euphonium, keyboards). Initially influenced by lo-fi folk and country music, the band has developed a distinctive sound over time, supported by vivid and sensitive lyrics.
In 2003, Avec pas d’casque performed publicly for the first time. A homemade CD-R was sold at their shows and quickly gained a spot on student radio charts. The duo played a few opening acts and began thinking about their future.
In 2006, Avec pas d’casque released their first official album: Trois chaudières de sang. Nicolas Moussette joined the band to support the album on stage. Trois chaudières de sang received critical acclaim and earned two nominations at the ADISQ Gala 2006, including "Country Album of the Year." That same year, the Festival d’été de Québec awarded the group the "Prix Miroir de l’artiste d’ici."
Now a trio, Avec pas d’casque released an album titled Dans la nature jusqu’au cou in 2008. The album was well-received by critics and featured prominently on several year-end charts. The following year, the band earned two nominations at the ADISQ Gala, including "Songwriter of the Year," as well as the award for Best Country/Folk Album at the GAMIQ awards.
In 2012, moving away from lo-fi sounds, the band returned with Astronomie, an atmospheric and intimate folk album inspired by the colors of the night. Mathieu Charbonneau joined the group. Astronomie received numerous awards, including "Album of the Year – Critics’ Choice" and "Songwriter of the Year" at the ADISQ Gala, as well as trophies for "Songwriter of the Year" and "Folk Album of the Year" at the GAMIQ awards. The album was also featured on the Polaris Prize 2012 long list. The group played widely across Quebec, significantly expanding their audience.
The following year, an EP titled Dommage que tu sois pris was released, including a few tracks that had been set aside over the years.
In 2016, the band released Effets spéciaux, which was warmly received by critics and won the Félix for "Folk Album of the Year" and earned a third nomination for Songwriter of the Year at the ADISQ Gala.
After an 8-year hiatus during which the members focused on various parallel projects (cinematic and musical), the band is back in the studio preparing for their next chapter.
