Esmerine

2023 Juno Award winners for “Instrumental Album of the Year”
A night of music you won’t want to miss!

TICKETS: $25 door / advance (available below)

Esmerine was co-founded by percussionist Bruce Cawdron (Godspeed You! Black Emperor) and cellist Rebecca Foon (Thee Silver Mt. Zion, Saltland) in 2001 and has released six acclaimed albums of expressive instrumental chamber music—with one foot in contemporary classical and late 20th century Minimalism, the other in more visceral and lyrical sonic territory informed by post-rock, punk, folk and global. 

The Canadian quintet shares stylistic affinities with the likes of Dirty Three, Sō Percussion, Winged Victory For The Sullen, Grails and Rachel’s, and has been nominated for several Juno awards, winning Instrumental Album of the Year for Dalmak in 2014 and Recording Package of the Year for Lost Voices in 2016, and winner of “Instrumental Album of the Year” / “Album Artwork of the Year”  for Everything Was Forever Until It Was No More at the 2023 Juno Awards.

Foon is also an environmental activist and organizer, co-founding Pathway To Paris and JungleKeepers, and is a partner in Sustainability Solutions Group and a co-owner of Modo Yoga studios in Montréal and New York. Cawdron was the drummer in Godspeed You! Black Emperor from the band’s inception in 1995 until his retirement from the group in 2012 to focus on his work as an acupuncturist, and on Esmerine alongside other creative projects. 

“Mechanics of Dominion is a bold, gripping and brilliantly nuanced addition to Esmerine’s gorgeous catalogue, swelling with hope and brimming with energy.”
– Exclaim 9/10

“Esmerine explores ever more intricate constructs; their classical/folk/post-rock melds reward after repeat immersions.”
— MOJO  * * * *

“Esmerine is a luminary of the post-rock world.”
— A CLOSER LISTEN

“Esmerine locates an especially tender spot between post-rock and post-classical to cast a bucolic spell.”
— UNCUT

“A true poignant force.”
— SUN-13