Inspired by the vastness of Northwestern Québec’s Abitibi region where the band is based and the deep spirituality of the Amerindian tribes living there for centuries, influenced by ancient pagan Scandinavian and Celtic rituals, the entrancing sounds of Saltarello take the listener on a musical journey filled with rhythmic frenzy and beautiful haunting melodies.
The unique Nordic musical trance of Saltarello fills the gap between traditional and contemporary, ancient and futuristic with original compositions sung in a language unknown except to them while fusing world rhythms with amazing vocals and instruments from a time long past as well as from right now thus creating a hypnotic universe with no boundaries…
Saltarello provoque la rencontre entre traditionnel et contemporain avec des compositions originales, puissantes fusionnant rythmes du monde avec voix d’ailleurs, instruments anciens et modernes créant un univers hypnotique et sans frontières…
Would you like to tell us a about Saltarello and what kind of music journey you are on?
Inspired by the vastness of Northwestern Québec’s Abitibi region where the band is based and the deep spirituality of the Amerindian tribes living there for centuries, influenced by ancient pagan Scandinavian and Celtic rituals, the entrancing sounds of Saltarello take the listener on a musical journey filled with rhythmic frenzy and beautiful haunting melodies.
It was with the desire to create original music inspired from the four corners of the Earth that Saltarello (a popular Italian dance dating back to the 13th century) was born in the year 2000 in a remote Northern French-Canadian region known as Abitibi. Its founders, Julie Pomerleau and Luc Lafrenière share an unusual vigor as well as a shared passion for music. Coming from very different musical backgrounds, the duo encountered a fascinating time period as well as an enchanting and enriching array of instruments in the music created during the Middle-Age. It was by studying its history and playing the repertoire of the times that they developed their acute interest for a wide variety of ethnic musical styles which allowed for the harmonious meeting between the traditional and the contemporary, a fusion of instruments from a time gone past with those of today. Saltarello actualizes its music to create its own sound through its original compositions.
How many are you in Saltarello normally? 6 since 2015
Where do you all come from? We all live in Quebec, Canada.
Where did you all meet?
Luc and I met in Rouyn-Noranda (Abitibi-Témiscamingue). He hired me to play piano on his first solo project. Luc had created an exposition (visual art painting) in an old chapel that he had transformed into a grotto. For five evenings, a show was offered. We met a few months before. He was the artistic director for an event bringing together several artists. I, Julie, was accompanying a singer on the piano. It was when he heard me play that he invited me to come and listen to what he was composing for his next show at his studio. I came from a classical musical background, and I was discovering an incredible musical openness to the world. Already, in 2000, Luc had this openness to fusing rhythms, sounds, and ancient instruments.
Following this project, we created Saltarello (2000) and fall in love! Lol :). Several musicians have played with us. But for the past ten years, we have been working with the same wonderful souls. Jessica has been with us for a very long time (2004). She was my piano and singing student before. Sidney (bass) is a childhood friend. We come from the same village (Rapide-Danseur). He played with us since 2011. We met Sarah (violin) with Ad vielle que pourra. Sarah and Luc played in the band for the last concert of the musical group. It was in 2011. She joined Saltarello afterwards. Pierre (guitar, bouzouki) played in the band Barde Fou with Sarah. It was a traditional Quebecois music group. She was the one who introduced Pierre to Saltarello in 2015. Francis plays with us for few last concerts (violin).
“Saltarello” what does that mean? And does it have a special meaning for you?
Saltarello it was a popular Italian dance dating back to the 13th century. Luc and I chose this name because we really liked Dead Can Dance’s version of Saltarello. We thought it sounded good in many languages. And Saltarello it’s our union… Luc and I = Saltarello! Lol 🙂
How long time have you played together as a band? 25 years 😉
What music inspired you?
We listen to a lot of music from all over the world. The band that have influenced us the most are probably Dead Can Dance. Hedningarna, Garmarna, Wardruna, Vas, Irfan, … and many others inspired us! We listen to many kinds of music but « Nordic Music » have a big place in our hearts.
Have any of you played in other bands?
Luc, Jessica, Pierre, and I founded Mystic Projekt. Mystic Projekt explores musical universes inspired by traditional Celtic, Scandinavian, and Eastern European repertoires, medieval ballads, and oriental melodies. Mystic Projekt offers captivating, dreamlike, and vibrant music where voices of almost celestial purity, ethnic percussion, dulcimer, violin, Indian harmonium, guitar, bouzouki, and Celtic harp create magical atmospheres imbued with mystery and beauty. Our first album, NORD, was released last May. Sidney play in many rock groups.
What instruments do you play in the band?
Luc: Voice, hammered dulcimer, moraharpa, tagelharpa, hurdy-gurdy, whistles, percussions, programming, synthesizers, recording nature sounds and compositions.
Julie: Celtic harp, synthesizers, piano, percussions, voice, programming and compositions.
Jessica: Voice and percussions.
Sarah and Francis: violin.
Pierre: Bouzouki, mandocello and guitar.
Sidney: Bass.
Do Saltarello play on festivals and other live concerts?
Yes! We’ve had some great festival tours in Quebec and Canada. Playing in St. John’s, Newfoundland, was a defining moment in our history. We’re really looking forward to returning to playing venues and festivals with Saltarello.
Have you as a band done any collabs with others?
We have done several collaborations with other bands. For example, we have done some projects with the band Tribes of Medusa (New York/United Kingdom).
Would you do any collabs.?
Of course! We like working with other musicians. For example, we worked with Daniel Thonon for our 4th, and 5th CD (Nine Worlds and The Dance of the Muses). He played the hurdy-gurdy and the bagpipes. Rodolphe Gagnon participated to Cliff of the Dawn album with his didgeridoo. We will have other great collaborations for the next album. But that’s a secret 😉
« The year 2011 saw the birth of Saltarello’s fourth album, “Nine Worlds” co-produced by famed Belgian hurdy-gurdy, accordionist and percussionist Daniel Thonon, founder of the French Canadian neo-traditional groups Advielle Que Pourra (Green Linnet/Xenophile Records) and Montcorbier who also lent his talent as a player for this new release which incorporates more Celtic elements than its predecessors while retaining the unique ethno-trance dance quality which characterizes the ethereal yet very grounded sound of Saltarello which performed the material of this new album during a much noted performance which took place in July at the Greenfield Park Centennial celebrations near Montreal. Radio producer/host/journalist Dan Behrman also wrote “Jerusalem, Yeroushalaïm, Al Q’Ouds”, a very moving spoken piece which he read on the album with the idea of sending peaceful and positive energies to this particularly troubled area of our planet. World Music for World Peace indeed! The material of this new album was presented live during “Festival International des Nuits d’Afrique” in 2012 (Montreal, Canada). «
Where do you typically get your inspiration to compose/ produce music?
I think nature inspires us a lot. The Poetic Trees was inspired by a walk on our land. We watched the trees move with the wind. Two crows flew above our heads. We loved the calm that this scene gave off. When we got home, Luc played a melody on his tagelharpa (he also made it). This was the basic motif of this song. The melody on the tagelharpa was picked up by Pierre on the mandolin.
When we compose, we have a lot of images in our heads. We sometimes feel like a painter. We have the picture in our head, and the music is created afterwards. We like to think of ourselves as “sound sculptors” 😉 This is probably because Luc is also a visual artist. Maybe! Sometimes, all it takes is hearing a new instrument sound to compose a new piece.
Is there only one that writes your lyrics in Saltarello, or do you come with something all of you?
Saltarello has no language. Luc and I compose the music. The voices become musical instruments. Word-like sounds are produced by the voices. We write them down, and they become the language used in our compositions.
Are you a believer of the Nordic/old ways or finding the history interesting?
Of course! We are fascinated by Nordic culture. Several years ago, we started reading the Poetic Edda. It was a wonderful discovery for us! I think it was the beginning of our interest for Nordic/old.
We live in Canada, and a large part of our ancestors come from Europe. We still have a close and respectful connection with ancient beliefs and Gods (pagan, Celtic, …). We also believe strongly in nature with immense respect for our Earth.
Has it been a surprise for you as a band that the Viking/pagan community’s from Europe and other places have taken your music to heart?
It was a big and a beautiful surprise for us! We are truly touched by all the messages we have received from across the Viking/Pagan community around the World. We didn’t expect our latest pieces to be heard so widely. We are honored.
We love your video’s from the “The Poetic Trees” & “Inland Sea”, very much did you make them yourself?
Yes! Indeed! Luc and I composed these pieces during Covid. It was a difficult time in our lives (and for all of us!) and music allowed us to believe in a better tomorrow. We produced these songs in the studio at home and then had fun producing two videos.
Any new releases of tracks or albums soon?
Yes! We’ve started the writing process for a new album. We’ll be spending a lot of time in the studio this fall. We can’t wait to start releasing new material.
In you free time do you hang out there a lot or do you have other interests as sport or crafting maybe?
We spend a lot of time in the summer working our land. We cultivate our garden and our vegetable garden. We love winter! We really like walking in the forest with our « raquette » (snowshoes) to find peace and quiet. It’s a special time to compose music! Luc is a painter too. He also works with wood to make jewelry and furniture, for example. Most of us are also music teachers and we work with children.
Where can we see Saltarello live next year or maybe before?
We will start a booking period with the next album. We are looking forward to playing live again with Saltarello. We also plan to produce some videos with the new compositions. Currently, we are finishing a first tour with Mystic Projekt. Soon, we will play at the medieval festival of Montpellier (Quebec, Canada). We are really looking forward to it!
I would like to thank you for answering my questions about your band, and glad we could do this written interview, and I am sure many are interested in getting to know you better….
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