artist L'embuscade

Four languages. Three members. Too many influences. One cathartic, undirected, democratic and organic process: L’embuscade comes from all directions and contradictions: tension, simplicity, noise, vocal orchestration, percussive dissonance, melodic instrumentation. Take cover.

From its inception to its creative process, L’embuscade is multi-faceted, somewhat disorderly, complex and coming from all sides – and it works. In September 2005, Jesson Moen (Salmon Arm, BC), Julien Landry (Moncton, NB) and Nick Kuepfer (Stratford, ON) were introduced and seduced into a dingy basement by the sweet smell of mould spores and locked up for 6 months of intensive musical pondering. The band learned to write in a process new to the three musicians: undirected, democratic and organic, producing a mostly instrumental sound that is entrenched in each member’s individual style, spanning from noisy, dissonant, mathematical and aggressive to simple, stripped-down and carefully textured melodies and vocals.

The band has since taken their sound through a pan-American voyage: recording and pleasing crowds in Montreal; having a song featured in the National Film Board feature film “Waltown”; a reunion of writing and recording in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where a rich musical landscape shaped a broader musical perspective, a renewed confidence and a drive that L’embuscade has channelled towards a very active 2008. Arriving back in Montreal generated a writing blitz in four languages, this time incorporating a broader instrumentation by joining forces with two of Montreal’s finest string players, John Corban and Kristina Koropecki. Having now completed several successful tours of Central, L’embuscade is now setting itself up for the release of thier debut full-length album. If this has been a long-distance love affair, marriage and children are finally on the way.

Press Quotes:

“This ain’t no jam band, and this ain’t no psychedelic hardcore…I basically sat through the show chewing on my glass in disbelief how a band…could pull off songs that ring with the precision of a terrorist strike and sound basically like the tightest knit sweater coming out of the musical Godzilla that is Montreal. There is legit musical talent happening with this band and it’s clear these are musicians who have cut their teeth on a range of styles and assembled each of them in a winner-take-all fight to sweet death.” Matrix Magazine


“L’embuscade seem to be paying homage to some awesome styles of music and they pull it off with an advanced proficiency and intensity.” Indyish


I asked our French-speaking waitress what an embuscade is, my colleague suggesting it may be some Atlantic crustacean found only off the coast of Gaspesie.

“No, c’est pas ca,” she said. “When you plan an attack, in secret, c’est ça, l’embuscade.” M.Fingers

Jesson Moen Bass, Keys, Guitar, Vocals
Julien Landry Drums, Vocals
Nick Kuepfer Guitar, Bass, Vocals
Kristina Koropecki Cello
John Corban Violin
Natasha Landry Vocals
Ryan Frizzell Trumpet
Mark Berube Accordion, Vocals