Photos by Nolan McBride – Hailing from Saguenay, Quebec, Angine de Poitrine is a boundary-pushing experimental and math-rock duo that has been shaking up the music scene since their formation in 2019. Fronted by two mysterious, anonymous musicians—Khn de Poitrine (microtonal guitar and bass) and Klek de Poitrine (drums)—the band performs disguised in giant, custom papier-mâché masks and matching black-and-white polka-dot suits. This surreal visual identity and their strictly guarded anonymity are core pillars of a unique artistic universe that the duo playfully describes as “dada pythago-cubist mantra-rock.”
Musically, the duo delivers a highly complex, asymmetrical, and dissonant sonic experience that is, against all odds, incredibly danceable. Armed with double-neck microtonal guitars and relentless, interlocking drum grooves, they construct hypnotic rhythmic vortexes heavily influenced by progressive rock, Frank Zappa, and contemporary classical music. Following their breakout debut album, Vol. 1, in 2024, they were crowned “Artist of the Year” at Quebec’s GAMIQ (Gala alternatif de la musique indépendante du Québec) in 2025, cementing their status as pioneers of a fiercely marginal yet captivating genre.
The year 2026 has marked a major international breakthrough for the outfit. Propelled by a legendary live session recorded for the iconic Seattle radio station KEXP—which quickly racked up millions of views online—the duo’s cult following has exploded far beyond Canadian borders. With the critical acclaim of their sophomore record, Vol. II(longlisted for the prestigious 2026 Polaris Music Prize), and sold-out tour dates across Europe, the United States, and Japan, Angine de Poitrine is proving that uncompromising, eccentric art can resonate on a truly global scale.
