Biography
Avec pas d’casque was born out of the meeting of Stéphane Lafleur (guitar, vocals) and Joël Vaudreuil (drums) at the beginning of the 21st century. After a few months spent banging out lo-fi originals at Cité 2000, the duo gave its first live show in 2003. After releasing a first DIY album, the band released its first official album, Trois chaudières de sang, which caught the attention of critics and was nominated for two Félix awards at the 2006. A second album titled Dans la nature jusqu’au cou is released in 2008, and in 2012, Avec pas d’casque parts with its lo-fi sound to create Astronomie, an intimate, atmospheric folk album inspired by the colours of the night. Astronomie received many accolades, including the Félix awards for Album of the Year—Critic’s Choice and Songwriter of the Year, in addition to earning a spot on the 2012 Polaris Prize Long List. After a long period of absence, Avec pas d’casque made a much anticipated comeback in the fall of 2016 with the critically acclaimed album Effets spéciaux.
Avec pas d’casque was born out of the meeting of Stéphane Lafleur (guitar, vocals) and Joël Vaudreuil (drums) at the beginning of the 21st century. After a few months spent banging out lo-fi originals at Cité 2000, the duo gave its first live show in 2003. The following spring, they released a DIY album, which quickly made its way into student radio charts.
In 2006, the band released its first official album, Trois chaudières de sang. Nicolas Moussette (bass, lap steel) joined the group to promote the album live. Trois chaudières de sang caught the attention of critics and was nominated for two Félix awards at the 2006 ADISQ ceremony, including Country Album of the Year. The same year, the Festival d’été de Québec granted Avec pas d’casque the Miroir award for Best Canadian Artist.
By 2008, Avec pas d’casque had become a full-fledged trio, and they released an album titled Dans la nature jusqu’au cou. The album received critical praise and enjoyed a strong presence on many end-of-year polls and charts. The following year, they were nominated for two Félix awards, including Songwriter of the Year, and they took home the GAMIQ award for Folk/Country Album of the Year.
In 2012, Avec pas d’casque parted with its lo-fi sound to create Astronomie, an intimate, atmospheric folk album inspired by the colours of the night. Mathieu Charbonneau (Torngat, Ferriswheel) joined the group on baritone horn and keyboards. Astronomie received many accolades, including the Félix awards for Album of the Year—Critic’s Choice and Songwriter of the Year. Avec pas d’casque also took home the GAMIQ awards for Songwriter of the Year and Folk Album of the Year, in addition to earning a spot on the 2012 Polaris Prize Long List. After a long period of absence, Avec pas d’casque made a much anticipated comeback in the fall of 2016 with the critically acclaimed album Effets spéciaux.
