Full Breakdown
Angine de Poitrine: Quebec’s Microtonal Absurdist Duo Takes the Stage
6/13/2026, 1:04:09 AM
The Show Unfolds – Core Event
Angine de Poitrine, a two-person ensemble from Chicoutimi, has been delivering sold-out shows in Canada and abroad without typical concert banter. Their performances rely on guttural interjections and looping riffs. In 2024 they issued *Vol. 1* and *Vol. 2* and announced a North-American tour that includes the Montreal Jazz Festival (June 27), Saguenay (July 2), Trois-Rivières (July 3) and several Toronto dates. The performances also feature a custom double-neck guitar/bass hybrid that enables quarter-tone microtonal passages, adding an exotic tonal palette.
Origins and Absurdist Roots – Background & Context
Khn and Klek de Poitrine have worked together since their youth in Chicoutimi. In 2019 a double booking in Saguenay led them to perform incognito under the name Angine de Poitrine, wearing masks and avoiding introductions. They later described the stunt as “a bit of an Andy Kaufman-esque joke,” a decision that shaped their ongoing absurdist identity. They decided to maintain the incognito persona, turning the prank into a lasting artistic stance.
The Musicians – Key Figures & Groups
Khn built a custom double-neck guitar/bass with split frets for quarter-tone microtonality; Klek de Poitrine provides complementary instrumentation and vocals. Their partnership spans multiple prior projects across different musical styles, reinforcing their eclectic approach.
Tour Timeline – Timeline
- June 27 2024 – Montreal Jazz Festival, Montreal, QC
- July 2 2024 – Saguenay, QC
- July 3 2024 – Trois-Rivières, QC
- Mid-July 2024 – Multiple Toronto venues, ON
Numbers – Data & Statistics
*Vol. 1* (2024) sold out and appeared on resale sites at high prices; *Vol. 2* (2024) secured European and North-American festival slots. Club Soda shows consistently reach capacity. Resale listings for *Vol. 1* have reached prices well above the original retail cost.
Why It Matters – Impact
Their microtonal, anti-talk approach expands Quebec’s underground soundscape and offers a model for artists prioritizing internal logic over commercial conventions.
Official Statements & Responses
The duo says the incognito debut was a playful deception and describes their genre as a hybrid blend of experimental rock, dada influences, and pythagorean cubist concepts. They explain that their music draws from a diverse mix of influences without fully settling into any single style, aiming for originality. They stress a deliberate avoidance of conventional categorization in favor of internal logic.
On-the-Ground Reports
Club Soda attendees describe the set as “absurdly serious,” highlighting the lack of introductions and the immersive looping riffs.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It was a bit of an Andy Kaufman-esque joke to play on people we knew personally — to throw a new musical proposition out there and try to fool them into thinking it’s not us ... We found it quite funny, so we just kept it going on.” — Khn, Angine de Poitrine
- “mantra-rock dada pythago-cubiste orchestra,” — Klek de Poitrine, describing the band’s style
- “Khhhrrr... zonk!” — Vocal interjection used during performances
- “Zorblax!” — Vocal interjection used during performances
What’s Next – Upcoming Events
After the July 2024 Canadian dates, Angine de Poitrine plans further European festival appearances later in the year; specific venues are pending.
