artist Ya Ketchose

The band members got together in 1997 in La Broquerie, a small rural town East of Winnipeg.  The band got its first taste of success at a French battle of the bands competition named La chicane électrique (The Electric Battle).  2 years in a row Ya Ketchose won the Jury prize and the prize for song of the year.

Ten years later, the band is considered a veteran of the franco-manitoban scene due to the quantity and creativity of their shows.  In Manitoba they’ve played many festivals, schools and colleges.  At the Festival du Voyageur they are prized part of the recurring attractions; having played more than 40 shows in the past 9 years.

Ya Ketchose hasn’t limited itself to Manitoba’s borders as they have performed at festivals in Moncton (NB), Nanaimo (BC), Sudbury (ON) and all over Saskatchewan.  They have also done 2 tours of schools and communities in Ontario.

They have released 2 albums: Évolution (2000)  and   En Route (2004).  The latter won the prize for Francophone Recording of the Year at the 2005 Western Canadian Music Awards.

Their style is a mix of traditional francophone elements, punk and new alternative.  The energy found in their songs creates a unique groove that defines Ya Ketchose’s music.

The members’ next goal is to increase their presence in Manitoba, Ontario and Western Canada.  They are releasing a new album, Les ombres et les nuages, during the Festival du voyageur 2008.