Playing in the prairies
Having a wide variety of genres keeps this band on their toes /Image: Samantha Gibson
Electric Soul likes its seclusion
Article: Laura Billet – Contributor
With influences from rock, jazz, funk, and, well, pretty much everything, Electric Soul is definitely a band to listen to. From Winnipeg, Edouard Durocher, Dave Guenette, Chris Tuschcherer and Joey Decosse have created a unique sound that is bound to get you grooving.
Though some of them played together previously, Electric Soul came together in 2011.
“The chemistry really works between all four musicians … Everyone has different perceptions of what music means to them and how they play it, but it all really melted together really nicely,” says vocalist and guitarist Edouard Durocher.
Durocher explains they draw their inspiration from their varied musical backgrounds and interests.
“Joey, the drummer, really likes metal and progressive metal and rock. Dave, the keyboard player, likes jazz and pop and rock and progressive rock as well, so we all come from different places.” But they are also influenced by other local artists. “Winnipeg alone has a ridiculously huge amount of talent in the city, every night you can go out and see a good band. So there is that local influence that is, I guess, like a friendly rivalry.” says Durocher.
[pullquote]“There’s a lot of stuff on there that a lot of people will like … There’s a little bit for everyone I think.”[/pullquote]
In 2012, they released an EP, but were not happy with the results so began work on new material. They learned to refine their energy and explore their dynamics; they did not want their music to be “… one hundred percent chaotic all the time, but we still want to have those [exciting] moments,” says Durocher.
Their work has paid off, and their debut full-length album, Second Paradise has been a success. A little over a week after the album release show on Sep. 6, Second Paradise ranked as the 23rd most played album across Canada on !earshot’s national top 50 community and college radio chart. That is big news for a first album, and the band is really psyched to be playing more shows and gaining new fans.
“There’s a lot of stuff on there that a lot of people will like … There’s a little bit for everyone I think,” says Durocher.
Electric Soul embarks on a quick, three-day tour of the prairies next week, their first time playing outside of Manitoba. They will get to Regina and Saskatoon, playing at O’Hanlons on Nov. 15. It is a short tour, but the band is really excited to branch out.
After the tour, and in between shows at home, Electric Soul is excited to be working on a new album over the winter, and playing at festivals like Festival du Voyageur.
When asked if the band was eager to get out of the prairies and into a bigger music scene, Durocher explained they are really happy to be in Winnipeg, slightly secluded from the big industries in Toronto and Vancouver.
