Happenstance
Montréal, Quebec, Canada | SELF
Music
Press
Happenstance hit the Supernova stage in full force in January 2012.... - Supernova.com
Happenstance hit the Supernova stage in full force in January 2012.... - Supernova.com
Best Buy is supporting local amateur bands in Québec. Best Buy presents Happenstance. Happenstance will do an in-store acoustic performance at the Quartier DIX30 store in Brossard on Sunday, November 6 at 11:00am - Best Buy Canada
Happenstance launch packs the Chat
It didn’t matter how old you were at Saturday’s Happenstance CD launch. Hudson’s Chateau du Lac rocked to the group’s Indie folk sound.
(Gazette, Katinka Rubin Michaud)
by CAMILLE O'BRIEN
HUDSON — Local musical heroes Happenstance rocked the Chateau du Lac Saturday evening as fans of all ages flocked to hear the band and pick up a copy of their first CD.
“This is the biggest party of my life,” a rapt Emily Lamarche said as she and fellow band members Brian Gallagher, Nick Thompson and Christophe Placier signed copies of their album at its official release. Recorded at Red Rhino Studios in Montreal, the CD was free at the launch party for those who paid the $25 entry fee.
Matt Holubowski, another rising young local musician, opened the evening for the mostly over-30 (and plenty way over 30!) crowd the Chat has been wooing with a series of class musical acts over the past several months.
What makes Happenstance stand out from the crowd are the commingling of voices and musical talents and some of the sweetest music you’ll hear this side of CBC Radio 2. With this release, the band and their growing fan base are hoping to get some airplay in coming months as one of Canada’s up-and-coming bands. They’re already building a Quebec following with their willingness to play anywhere there’s an appreciative crowd.
Lead vocalist Emily Lamarche has been wowing local crowds for several years now. Gallagher, the group’s grizzled veteran, sings backup and plays guitar and mandolin. Drummer Nick Thompson also sings backup, while Christophe Placier provides the bass.
The band hit the headlines when it won first prize in Montreal’s Battle of the Bands (BOTB) in 2010 because, in part, of Hudson residents’ relentless support, but also because of their unique acoustic indie pop sound. It’s a mix of country, folk and pop critics are coming to recognize as a distinctive Hudson sound.
Who are Happenstance’s fans? Put it this way: The crowd at the Chat ranged from officially 18 (there IS a legal minimum drinking age in Quebec) to somewhere in the sixties. – with files from Katinka Rubin Michaud
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- Hudson Gazette
Happenstance, a trio based in Hudson, Qc. played some well crafted songs that mixed Celtic beats with folk guitars and country wailing....even the judges were caught off guard at the level of professional showmanship and musical agility that the band displayed compared to the other acts. - The Concordian
Discography
Self-titled debut CD "Happenstance" released November 5th, 2011 recorded by Glen Robinson (The Tea Party, Martin Deschamps, Voivid, etc...) and partially mastered at Abbey Road, London.
EP "Rain" released October 2012, recorded at Epik studios, Toronto.
Both are available online at CDBaby, Amazon, Tunecore and iTunes.
Both are available for sale at CD Warehouse locations in Ontario and at Que de Bonnes Choses in Quebec.
Radio stations playing Happenstance:
CKCU-FM (Ottawa, Ontario)
Rock-FM (Montreal, Qc.)
The Jewel 107FM (Hawkesbury, Ontario)
The Coast89.3 FM - (Nova Scotia)
CFIS-FM (British Columbia)
Stoke-FM (British Columbia)
CJMP-FM (Powell River, B.C.)
Whistle radio 102.9FM (Stouffville, Ont.)
CJAI-FM (Kingston, Ontario)
CHJX-FM (London, Ontario)
IMS Radio (Manchester, England)
Hound Dog Radio (Georgia)
CRLC-FM (Lethbridge, Alberta)
Earth Radio (Southern California)
Rok Out Radio (Scranton, PA)
Bay FM 100.3 (Queensland Australia)
DC coasttocoast (San Diego)
Online airplay: Jango Airplay, Spotify, Deezer, Amazon, Ubeetoo, Youtube, Rhapsody, Rumblefish, Medianet, CBC Radio3, Radio Mammola (Italy), USA-Fm
Photos
Bio
With the fresh crossover sound of country/pop that captivates audiences, Happenstance is setting a new standard in the Canadian music scene.
Like the band name itself, it all began with an unplanned accidental meeting, by chance, when Emily met Brian – and Brian met Christophe by chance – and together met Nick by chance – and as it snowballed into this glorious menagerie of individuals with talents to share amongst them, the music was a natural extension of this united front.
Their debut self-titled CD was an instant hit. It included the single “King of Fools”, which is one of their fan favorites. Now with their latest project “Rain” set to hit the market by September 2012, there is nothing stopping them from going all the way. They have hit a nerve in audiences everywhere with their great music reflecting their personalities and their talents with picturesque delivery through sound.
Here's what some folks have been saying about Happenstance:
Josh Trager (music publicist): "blew my mind"
Rob Lanni (Coalition music): "great songs, great vocals"
Lance Ryan (Supernova): "the album is amazing"
Glen Robinson (producer - Tea Party): "A home run!"
2011: Happenstance wins the LME showcase in Montreal over 120 Quebec rock bands; headlines LME's Toronto finale in summer 2011.
November 2011: Debut CD is released. The release party concert brings in a record 250 guests at Le Chateau du Lac in their home town.
January 2012: Happenstance wins the Supernova Underworld prize in Montreal
April 2012: RDR Street Idol places "King of Fools" in their semi-finals for indie street radio song of the year
May 2012: Jango radio picks "King of Fools" as their "Top 10" indie country songs and adds it to their summer stations.
May 2012: Happenstance wins the preliminary round of the Great Canadian Showcase in Ottawa.
December 2012: UK songwriting contest awards two Happenstance songs (The Ocean, King of Fools) with finalist and semi-finalist honours.
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