ARTIST FEATURE: PONTEIX
artist that I compose for, and he’s been doing well out there,” notes Lepage.
When discussing the differences between French and English audiences, Lepage comments, “The French are very lyric-driven. If you listen to a French album, the lyrics are very loud and the words are put together mathematically, with big imagery and big use of words - a story.”
Having a Fransaskois band heading to France is a bold step for an independent group, but could open the doors for other Fransaskois performers or like-minded groups. Logan says, “As it stands now, we are just musicians passing through; but that’s how it starts.”
“The interest is there,” says Lepage. “People are so in love with culture and music and it is so encouraging to see that. I feel very excited about it!”
In two years Ponteix would like to have a team to keep them creating and performing music full-time, “to get connected with enough people sharing the same feeling,” says Lepage.
The conversation leads to European markets and other notable Canadian artists, such as Feist, Hawksley Workman, and Danko Jones, who have not only written and recorded in Europe but developed strong followings there as well. Would Ponteix consider becoming ex-patriots for their art, establishing a home base in another country and returning to Canada to tour and perform?
“I love living out here, I love living in the country. I love living in a town of one hundred people,” says Lepage. “I love living in St. Denis, but I am looking forward to being part of differ- ent music scenes, wherever that may be.”
We discuss how Saskatchewan musicians carry their re- spective scenes with them, as a badge of pride and proof of resilience. No matter how far a Saskatchewan band may tour, they present themselves not just as a Canadian band, but a Saskatchewan band. “To understand where you come from, you have to leave your home…but I love living here,” comments Lepage.
Ponteix has found eager and encouraging audiences across Canada, citing Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal as high- lights. Logan noted, “In Montreal there is a bit more of a gel happening. We already know the groups, and once you know them it helps you to feel like you are already there.”
“Being there five times this year,” continues Lepage, “helps you to be part of the scene.”
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During the conversation, Logan and Lepage take time to point out the music playing over the restaurant speakers, such as Beach House and Mac DeMarco, making editorial comments and personal observations. Musicians make the most interesting music fans, and Lepage and Logan are not exceptions to this rule, discussing their personal musical tastes, musical quirks, and mini-debating over the songwriting quality with a dash of music history.
Before leaving for the night, an employee of the restaurant comes to our table and asks, “Are you in a band?” stating that he saw them play recently and loved the show. Lepage, Logan, and the employee chat at the table about music, upcoming shows, past experiences, the new EP, and the forthcoming album. And here, this moment epitomizes the hoped-for shared experience, the reward for the struggle, a random meeting in a restaurant where fan influences band and band influences fan, and one reacts to the other in a gentle ebb and flow of call and response.
On our way out Logan and Lepage offer pleasantries and casual conversation, as eased and poised as from the start, eager to rehearse for an upcoming opening slot. As we pull away, the neon dragon slouches down and the sign gently hums.
Ponteix is nominated in seven categories for the national celebration Le Gala des prix Trille Or: Best Discovery, Export West (artist from Western Canada having the most success outside of their region), Best Songwriter (Mario LePage), Best EP, Best Group, Best Visual Design (graphic designer Stephanie Kuse) and Best Website.
To follow the band’s next steps, including upcoming shows, visit
www.ponteixmusic.net.
Brennan “The Riz” Risling is a prolific multi-genre songwriter, lyricist, writer, and bassist for “Demolition Rock” sensation Ultimate Power Duo. A staple of the Saskatoon music scene, he has toured extensively across Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. The Riz is also the composer and saxophone player for R. Muttering, an avant-garde soundscape improvisational electro-acoustic performance art and recording group. Besides his Bachelor of Music in Music Education (B. Mus. (Mus. Ed.) / B. Ed. (Mus.)) from the University of Saskatchewan, he has amazing comic and vinyl collections.
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