Acrpost: A Project of the Pacific Association of Artist Run Centres

Event Description

The 'must-see' Celtic group this year is the award winning brother and sister duo, Qristina and Quinn Bachand! With three Canadian Folk Music Award nominations, three Irish Music Award nominations and two Irish Music Award wins for Top Traditional Group (2010) and Top Duo (2011), all since 2009, Qristina and Quinn Bachand are quickly becoming two of the most important young musicians in the Celtic music world.

Qristina Bachand is an expressive fiddler, with a unique style that is bold & edgy. Though strongly rooted in the Celtic tradition, her versatility and interests also include Old-Time, Appalachian and contemporary folk music. Clearly at ease on stage, Qristina is a natural performer, consistently delivering a spirited performance that features her energy, enthusiasm and love of Celtic music. Qristina recently added traditional and original songs to the repertoire and is receiving rave reviews as a vocalist. Her singing is described as "lovely and delicate, with a laidback sweetness." (Roots Music Canada)

Often compared to John Doyle, sixteen year old Quinn Bachand is a prodigiously gifted multi-instrumentalist who already has a reputation as "one of the best Celtic guitar accompanists in the world" (Ashley MacIsaac). Although Quinn plays a range of guitar styles including jazz, it is his talents in the world of Celtic music that are drawing the most attention. Quinn adds a contemporary edge to traditional Celtic music; his creative harmonies, hard-driving strumming, inventive chord voicing and powerful rhythmic effects make even the most well-worn tunes seem new and exciting. In addition to performances with sister Qristina, for the past two years Quinn has also performed with Ashley MacIsaac across Canada and Australia. An in-demand sideman, Quinn is now set to perform a series of U.S. concerts in late March with Cape Breton's fiddling sensation Natalie MacMaster.

Qristina and Quinn have performed at across Canada, the U.S. and Europe at clubs, concert halls and festivals including Celtic Colours International Festival, Milwaukee Irish Fest, Kansas City Irish Fest, Speyfest, Feakle, and many more. In July/August 2012 they will be touring Europe and Canada performing at festivals including the Hebridean Celtic Festival, the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival and Goderich Celtic Roots Festival.

Joining Qristina and Quinn will be their Los Angeles based band mate, Zac Leger. Zac holds numerous medals on various instruments from both the U.S. and Ireland, including an All-Ireland piping medal, one of few Americans to hold this prestigious title. Zac has recorded on nearly two dozen albums and has played, recorded and performed with the likes of The Border Collies, John Whelan, Liz Carroll, Rathkeltair Tony DeMarco and world-renowned finger-style guitarist Al Petteway to name a few. He has been a member of the critically acclaimed Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul as well as the Irish-based show "Celtic Crossroads". Since recording on Qristina and Quinn's 2011 album "Family" Qristina and Quinn are pleased to have Zac as their touring accompanist.