The new Salebarbes tour started in Amos around ten days ago, the first stage of an Abitibi trip of five shows in five evenings which then took the group to Val-d’Or, La Sarre, Rouyn and Ville- Married. On this cool and rainy Tuesday afternoon, we join the musicians at the beautiful Théâtre des Eskers, at the start of a sound test which will last more than an hour and a half. An intro to modify, a harmony to clarify, a microphone to test: the five musicians review everything that stuck during the general which took place in front of an audience the previous Friday, at L’Assomption.
While the group works, the programmer of the 650-seat room, Mathieu Larochelle, explains to us that it often happens that artists begin their regional tour in Amos, where the team is particularly well-established.
The Salebarbes show is the first of the season in this multifunctional hall. “With them, we know we’re not taking risks. The room is full this evening. » It’s true that Salebarbes has become a sure value in just a few years. As proof, the five nominations received at ADISQ for their previous album Gin à l’eau salée, including Show of the Year and Group or Duo of the Year.
Very concentrated, the five Dirtybears work intensely, but in a good mood. “They look serious, but they’re having fun! », confirms their manager, Janik V. Dufour. “Because of the distance, we don’t see each other often,” explains Kevin McIntyre, who lives in Moncton, as does violinist George Belliveau. “We just practice during soundchecks and shows, so when we see each other, we work hard! » The bassist, who is also a director, even took advantage of this Abitibi journey to finish, in his free time, the editing of the group’s next video, which was filmed a few weeks ago in Caraquet.
The group meets in the dressing rooms for dinner. This evening, we ordered sushi – they rarely go to restaurants, and rarely go out after shows, just to stay in shape. “We give a high energy show for an hour and a half on the carpet. I don’t know many 30-year-old musicians who would keep up! », underlines the ex-Okoumé turned drummer (and still singer) Jonathan Painchaud. “But it’s very much a question of pride,” says Jean-François Breau, laughing. I don’t want to be the slowest! »
Three people accompany the group, which is quite different from the first tours organized “with picks and shovels”, recalls Jean-François during dinner. “Just talking about it, I’m tired!” » In five years, they’ve experienced it all: lugging their gear in their car, pulling it in a trailer, having a tour bus. Now they have a truck to transport their equipment, but cannot travel together because of family and geographic constraints.
After eating, then analyzing and changing the order of the songs in the show, they will put on their costumes while singing and chatting – in fact, we wonder if they ever stop talking. The look has become an integral part of Salebarbes, a signature.
“When it started, it was: You put on your best clothes because the world has paid for their tickets,” says Kevin.
In any case, it has become so important that as long as they are not “dressed, combed, perfumed”, Jonathan feels as if he was “in a band of Dirtybeard covers”! “We all play a character on stage, and when you dress, it adds to the character,” believes George Belliveau.
“It’s the start of a great adventure that will last a year and a half, two years, and it starts tonight! », Launches Jean-François Breau to the audience at the start of the show. There’s a nervousness in the air, little mistakes here and there, forgetting words – “You be indulgent, Amos! » Above all, there is the contagious pleasure of the Cajun, country and rockabilly music that forms the group’s repertoire, its fabulous harmonies and its inexhaustible energy. The audience is smiling and attentive, but calm: the group still goes all out and the show ends with the whole room standing.
“What we want to create is a show-event,” confirms Éloi Painchaud. Let the world say, “This is how far they’re going to go?” There is an extreme side to our performance, and we will never lower the level. » “On a Tuesday evening, the room is definitely harder to win,” confirms Kevin. But Éloi is not going to give up. Some evenings, I thought he was going to break his ribs because he was blowing his harmonica so much! »
The five musicians don’t hide it, they are relieved that the ice is broken. But when leaving the stage, the group doesn’t waste two seconds and analyzes the entire show to see what more or less worked. Then, direction Val-d’Or for bed, a good 50 minute drive in the rain which didn’t stop. This is also where they will play the next day.
