For 16 years, the world-trad group Les Tireux d'Roches (in English "the rock throwers") has been playing traditional music inspired by the repertoire with an innovative and creative touch. These storytellers, singers and musicians have developed a unique repertoire of traditional tales and songs that takes their audiences on a fantastic musical voyage to an imaginary New-World-of-old. Having performed more than 450 concerts in the past 16 years across Canada and Europe, they've developed an uncanny knack for delighting and electrifying crowds.
Hailing from a region overflowing with creativity, this colourful crew immersed themselves in Québec tradition while keeping open to the new sounds and influences drawn from the contemporary world milieu. Their unique and off-the- wall folk/trad style combines both traditional and unconventional instrumentation into an expressive arsenal of sound. Live on stage, they dish out effervescent music that just makes you want to dance.
They are on the road a lot, most recently appearing at the Sound of the Xity (China), in New York and in various locations across Quebec. Coming up, they'll be in France and Germany. In 2013, they released their fifth album, XO 15 ans d'age, in celebration of their fifteen anniversary.
The rock-throwing quintet includes Denis Masse (storytelling, accordion, vocals), Dominic Lemieux (guitar, Irish bouzouki, banjo, vocals), Pascal "Per" Veillette (harmonica, deluxe foot-tapping, vocals), Luc Murphy (flute, sax, clarinet) and David Robert (percussion, vocals)
Awards and honorable mentions
2014 - ADISQ nomination for "XO 15 ans d'âge"
2013 – Signed to the MUSICOR record label
2010 – Musicaction bursary for the production of their fifth album "XO - 15 ans d'âge"
2012 – Best concert of 2012 as voted by the Bugewitz audience in Germany
2011 – Winners, Prix Art Exellence in the 'Arts de la scène' category
2010 – ADISQ nomination for their fourth album "Cé qu'essé"
2010 – Musicaction bursary for the marketing of their fourth album "Cé qu'essé"
2010 – Canada Council for the Arts bursary for management and promotion
2008 – Canada Council for the Arts bursary for management
2006 – Musicaction bursary for the marketing of their third album "Roche Papier, Ciseaux"
2006 – ADISQ nomination for their third album "Roche Papier, Ciseaux"
2006 – American Folk Alliance nomination for their third album "Roche Papier, Ciseaux"
2006 – Indie Acoustic Project nomination for their third album "Roche Papier, Ciseaux"
2006 – Official selection at the RIDEAU showcase event
2006 – " Art de la scène en Mauricie" award winners for the best live show
2005 – Canada Council for the Arts bursary for production of their third album "Roche Papier, Ciseaux"
What the media has to say
"A festive and rejuvenating musical experience"
Louise Jalbert, Échos Vedette
"The festival really began on the Déjardins stage at 7PM. With a mix of songs and storytelling, les Tireux d'Roches effectively titillated the trad-folk roots of this Trois-Rivière crowd.
24 hours after having shared the big stage in Montreal's fête Nationale celebrations, the septet showed no drop in adrenaline.
In fact, the quality of their work on this stage clearly demonstrates why this group has soared in the past few years.
Their music is rich and the sound is original. The instrumentation demonstrates world beat influences without compromising its traditional Québecois vocation.
With Denis Massé's undeniable singing and storytelling talent accompanied by seasoned musicians, les Tireux d'Roches never miss their target."
François Houde, Le Nouvelliste
DENIS MASSÉ
Storytelling - Singing - Accordion
Founding member of Les Tireux in 1998, he embarks on a storyteller's path in 1988. He then teamed up with Bryan Perro acting, singing and playing instruments in plays about Québécois legends. He later went on a few storytelling tours with Fred Pellerin. For the past 20 years he has shared his passion for music and storytelling with an average of 3000 kids a year. He occasionally tours alone or as a duo in European storytelling festivals.
During all these years he has never stopped practicing the accordion and composing songs and melodies. He lives in the village of St-Severe where draws inspiration from everyday situations, thus creating the soundtrack to a way of life which is Les Tireux d'Roches.
DOMINIC LEMIEUX
Guitar - Irish bouzouki - Banjo - vocals
Another founding member of the group.
This naturally gifted guitar player started his career as a singer-songwriter at the tender age of 15.
In 1997 he recorded his first solo album.
He and Denis Massé formed a duo together before creating les Tireux d'Roches in 1998.He now has more than 30 years of performing experience behind him.
From his lakeside residence in St-Léon le Grand he devotes time and creativity to Les Tireux d'Roches.
PASCAL " PER" VEILLETTE
Harmonica - Deluxe foot tapping - Vocals
It is almost impossible to estimate the number of albums which this happy-go-lucky-rainbow-coloured troubadour has graced with his talents. Some venture to put the number at around 50.
He is never without his harmonica and can be heard playing Jazz, classical, folk...Heck, he'll play anything!
He enjoys teaching but his greatest contribution is that of transmitting his passion for music and the harmonica. On stage he is a tornado.
Lately he's been bragging about playing with Céline Dion...
LUC MURPHY
Flute - Saxophone - Clarinet
Luc joined Les Tireux d'Roches following a 5 year tour of Asia with the Shades and D-Zire bands.
He also toured with Danse-Sing in Paris and Lebanon.
At home in Montreal, he has worked with pop and jazz groups such as : Third Stone, Lard Bédaine, Skyjuice, the Funkafones, Malade Mantra, l'Affaire Tournesol, Saïnagua, Sequoïa, Bombolessé, les Tueurs à Jazz, le Ville Émard Blues Band and the Cat Scat Band.
He has also worked as a side man with some of Québec's biggest stars such as : Mitsou, Éric Lapointe, Nancy Martinez, Claude Dubois and Stefie Shock.
Les Tireux d'Roches adopted him in 2004 and he has since firmly planted his roots in is native Québécois soil.
DAVID ROBERT
Percussions - Vocals
This multi-disciplinary artist joined les Tireux dRoches in 2009.
His musicality and sense of cooperation are very much in demand, making him a driving force in the Mauricie's cultural whirlpool.
He has been a key member of the Fabiola Toupin group since 2004 and has recorded with a great number of artists including : Longue Distance, Around Joshua, Sébastien Cloutier, Antoine Dufour, Val Salva, Pragma and UN.
He heads a great number of artistic project not the least of which his own recording facility, le studio Newton.
In addition to David's musical sensitivity and skill, Les Tireux d'Roches performances are further enriched by his uncommonly dynamic stage presence.
