Les Mécanos (FRANCE)

Linked by strong friendship, the ten members of the French (European) a cappella band Les Mécanos – not to be confused with the Quebec music show about two crazy inventors – have been surveying their French and Occitan oral heritage since 2017 and share a common desire to reclaim regional song repertoires from each musician’s musical universe.

In concert Les Mécanos’ polyphonic repertoire includes songs of work and aggrieved love, as well as, political and religious satire, and songs for dancing and drinking. All are intertwined: rearranged for ten voices and supported by the rumbling cadences of their bass drum, tom-tom, and an array of quite unusual percussive tools. The group expertly manipulates wrenches, exhaust pipe silencers, assorted scrap metal and stretched skins to create performances that are resolutely modern, sincere and carefree.

Les Mécanos believe that it’s essential to be involved in cultural mediation and outreach projects, and to constantly question the re-appropriation of cultural traditions and language by younger generations. Indeed, their very entry into traditional music stems from a fascination with oral and intergenerational transmission. After watching Les Mécanos perform live at TD Sunfest ’23, you can check out their new EP.