artist Karkwa

In 2001 Karkwa reaches the finale of the 7th edition of the Francouvertes. This recognition injects new life into a troup now more united than ever! The performances follow each other for almost 2 years, which allows the band to polish up the songs and prepare the first album. The critics are almost unanimous in their praise of “Le Pensionnat des Établis”, launched in October 2003. Twice Karkwa reaches the top of the hit parade in university radio stations. The year ends well, with two journalists for the Voir selecting the album as their 2003 favourite. To promote the album, the band put on no less than 75 concerts throughout Quebec. Karkwa catches everyone’s eye and ear, in small venues as well as in major events such as the Emerging Music Festival, Coup de Coeur francophone in Montreal and in Quebec, and the Montreal Francofolies. After a year and a half on tour, the band takes a break to record its second album, “Les Tremblements s’immobilisent”, on Audiogram, for which they earned three Félix awards in 2006. Their fourth album, Les Chemins de Verre, (The Glass Paths) was recorded in part at La Frette studios in Paris - an inspirational venue dating from the 19th century, it became the sixth member of the band as they returned there time and again during their French tour. A lively collection based on spontaneous impulses of creativity, this album was put together without preproduction for a more organic and impressionist sound. Les Chemins de Verre hit the shelves in Canada in March 2010. A crtically acclaimed record that gave them the Polaris Prize, for the best canadian album of the year.