Acadian musician Jacques Surette is digging into his Frenglish roots on his latest full-length release, Jacques Surette II. Dividing the album in half by style and language both, Surette is expressing the duality of the Acadian identity through his tracks.
On the album’s first half, its English half, Surette leans into more contemporary and alternative sounds. From groovy rock guitar riffs to psychedelic distortions and breakdowns, this half of the album carries a solid rock feel. Dancing between retro funk sounds in tracks like “my dreams of you” and more modern, alternative instrumentals in tracks like “Everyday,” Surette showcases many sides of his musical persona.
On the album’s second half, Surette plays into more traditional Acadian country and folk sounds, which he pairs with his French lyrics. With tracks like “La mer” and “Back à la Baie,” he also pays tribute to his Acadian homeland in Nova Scotia. With muted and gentle vocals, soft acoustic guitar and even a touch of harmonica, the album’s French half changes the pace of the music and enchants listeners with Acadian charm.
With English and Frenglish seeping so much into Acadian culture over the years, the bilingualism of the album hits on much of the duality of Acadian culture. While the French language and folk music are at their roots, the English language and contemporary music are ever-present in east coast society.
As his sophomore release, Jacque Surette II comes just over a year after his first full-length album, Marche, marche marche.
Surette is currently touring his album throughout Quebec.
Tour Dates:
09.03.20 – Grande-Vallée, QC @ Bar de la Mer
09.04.20 – Dégelis, QC @ Town Library
09.05.20 – Péribonka, QC @ Auberge Île du Repos
09.10.20 – Rivière-du-Loup, QC @ Salle Alphonse Desjardins
09.11.20 – Pont-Rouge, QC @ Parc Lions
09.12.20 – Amqui, QC @ A gora at Pierre-et-Maurice-Gagné Park
09.13.20 – Matapédia, QC @ Private Show
09.16.20 – Paspébiac, QC @ Paspébiac Cultural Centre
09.17.20 – Gaspé, QC @ Salle de Spectacle
09.18.20 – Saint-Anne-des-Monts, QC
09.25.20 – Cap-aux-Meules, Magdalen Islands @ Les Pas Perdus
09.30.20 – Baie-Comeau, QC @ Baie-Comeau Arts Centre
10.02.20 – Natashquan, QC @ Café-bistro l’Échourie