Биография

Mentana is a Montreal-based band whose cinematographic folk takes the listener on a journey in the midst of stirring narratives that weave and unfold like short films. Robin-Joël Cool's signature gritty, raspy vocals and driving guitars are at the centre of their sound, while Viviane Audet's velvety piano and angelic backing vocals round out the higher register. The rhythm section, comprised of Yannick Parent on drums (Vulgaires Machins, Josianne Paradis) and Erik West-Millette on bass (West Trainz, Neil Young, over 200 sound recordings, 50 as producer/composer) chugs along languorously on certain tracks and charges like a runaway train on others. In 2014, the band independently released a first EP called Western Soil. In 2015, they signed their first record deal, enlisted the help of Montreal-based electronic music producer Leon Louder and recorded Inland Desire. After the album launch in March 2016, the band toured across Canada and Europe, performing in 50 shows. At the time, Mentana was even featured in a TV documentary by Germany's ZDF. As a result, Inland Desire shot straight to the top of the iTunes Germany Folk Music charts. On two occasions, they were invited to play at the German Ambassador's residence in Ottawa. The band's much anticipated sophomore album was recorded with wunderkind Montreal-based producer Philippe Brault (Safia Nolin, Pierre Lapointe, Salomé Leclerc) will be released in 2022 on the Studio B-12 label.