After being crowned Breakthrough Artist of the Year at last Sunday’s Gala alternatif de la musique indépendante du Québec (GAMIQ), Population II now presents a live performance of their song “Orlando”. Filmed and edited by Alex Acy, the footage was shot at La Sala Rossa during the launch show for Électrons libres du québec, released via Bonsound in October. Population II will open for Jon Spencer at La Tulipe in Montreal on February 9th, 2024, as part of the upcoming Taverne Tour.
Population II’s music definitely comes to life when experienced live, explains videographer and director Alex Acy. It was a great honor and pleasure to be able to capture and archive this historic moment for the “électrons libres’’ who couldn’t join us, as well as for future ‘’électrons libres’’. Long live Population II!
Orlando is the opening track of Électrons libres du québec, Population II’s sophomore album. With this new record, the trio garnered the attention of influential radio stations in both Quebec and the U.S. (KCRW, CISM, WFMU, CJLO), as well as rock-focused media outlets in France (Rock & Folk, Mowno, Gonzai). The album also earned a 8/10 rating from Exclaim! magazine, and rave reviews from Dominic Tardif (La Presse) and Philippe Renaud (Le Devoir).
Électrons libres du québec is available on vinyl, CD and all music services.
Over the past year, Population II toured the U.S. twice, including once in support of the band Osees. The trio also performed at the FME in Rouyn-Noranda and at M pour Montréal. Click here for a list of Population II’s upcoming shows.
More straightforward than À la Ô Terre, its predecessor released on Castle Face Records back in 2020, Électrons libres du québec was produced by Emmanuel Éthier. On their new album, the three-piece band – made up of singer/drummer Pierre-Luc Gratton, guitarist/keyboardist Tristan Lacombe and bassist Sébastien Provençal – delivers a heavy, psychedelic rock infused with feverish funk rhythms, a hint of jazz philosophy, a burst of early punk energy, and a love of minor scales that harkens back to the roots of heavy metal. With Électrons libres du québec, Population II showcases once again their sharp sense of songcraft and an undeniable expertise of their instruments. This is an album that effortlessly maintains a balance between challenging compositions and instantly memorable melodies.
About Population II
Population II is a band dedicated to its disengagement, constantly working on refining their imposing, yet unpretentious sound. Their origins go back a long way, and are inextricably linked to teenage memories. After years of jamming to the point of developing a sense of telepathy, the trio began recording independent releases that soon caught the attention of John Dwyer, leader of the American rock band Osees and the man behind the independent label Castle Face Records. Thus was born À la Ô Terre, their first label-released album, which came out in 2020. The band spent the next two years playing shows in Canada and the United States, notably performing at SXSW (Austin, Texas) and Pop Montreal, as well as in Toronto, New York and Quebec City. Population II returns this fall with Électrons libres du québec, their sophomore album, this time released on Bonsound.
