Since the release of their debut full-length album Sweet N Gritty (2012), life has been nothing short of a whirlwind for musical duo, PEAR.
Married in music and in life, Lynae and Denis Dufresne will be taking their acoustic fiddle act to the Bragg Creek Centre for a Bragg Creek Performing Arts (BCPA) main stage performance Oct. 26 at 8 p.m.
“Our focus right now is this new music we’re doing with (producer) Russell Broom,” explained Denis, adding that while he and Lynae would again be directly involved with the production side of their next album, they are excited to bring another set of ears and eyes on board.
Broom has worked with artists such as Jann Arden, Chantal Kreviazuk and Colin James, among others.
With an anticipated 2014 release of their sophomore album, Denis and Lynae said audiences should look forward to a fresh, new sound that gets right to the root of who PEAR is — a country-roots pair of fiddlers and seasoned vocalists with a lifetime of experience in the music industry.
“We really believe in our sound,” said Lynae. “It’s not cookie-cutter…it’s fresh and alive.”
The duo settled in Calgary in 2003, following a five-year tenure with international touring fiddle act, Barrage. Taking some time to bring their now-10-year-old son, Jochanan, into the world, the next three years saw both musicians performing with a wealth of Canadian talent and working as session musicians (Denis also plays mandolin and guitar) until the time came to form PEAR in 2006.
Despite not reaching commercial success, particularly with a disappointing response from radio with Sweet N Gritty, Lynae said the opportunities resulting from the release have been tremendous, including a 2012 win at the International Songwriting Competition in the country category for their single off the album “This Ain’t a Love Song”.
“We really thought that song would have success,” said Denis. Stewed with elements of country and pop, Denis explained that without the safety net of a major label to back the album, Sweet N Gritty essentially fell through the cracks in the mainstream country music scene. “We were really gearing ourselves to the mainstream country market.”
Denis explained that the country music scene was undergoing yet another phase of metamorphosis from country-pop to ‘bro country’ – “tailgate, male-driven, party-rock anthems” — with artists such as Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton all the rage.
“That just really isn’t who we are,” said Lynae. “(The industry) is growing stardom and fame and not artistry.”
Building a fan base has been a top priority for PEAR since their 2012 release. This includes measurable growth in the U.S. market (Lynae grew up in Sandpoint, Idaho), bolstered by their relentless touring throughout Canada, the U.S. and even internationally.
The duo suspects a hefty touring schedule upon the release of their next album, and are currently shopping to add a major label to the mix, to help with the promotion on both sides of the border; the duo are currently signed to indie Calgary label, Chronograph Records, where they have enjoyed the artistic freedom enjoyed by independent artists.
Tickets to PEAR can be purchased by contacting the BCPA ticket hotline at 403-949-4114 or by visiting braggcreekperformingarts.com.
