Isaac Vallentin and Cedric Noel are heading east for a series of shows in late August with performances in Fredericton, Sackville and Halifax. For this tour, Noel is pulling double duty as both the opening act and a member of Vallentin’s band.
“I think Cedric’s music is good and I think he’s a genuine person and when I hang out with him I’m smiling a fair percentage of the time,” said Vallentin. “He’s multitalented and ambitious and since I respect those qualities in a person, I invited him to join my live group in addition to playing his own songs every night.
“Cedric and I and our colleagues Philippe Charbonneau and Pascal Delaquis have prepared a concert of music and are currently touring it through cities in eastern Canada.”
Earlier this year, Vallentin completed work on his next album, a project that he initially began last year. In advance of the album’s planned 2018 release, Vallentin has released the track Part Of It, with plans to begin a recording another new record in the late fall.
“Isaac and I met maybe three or four years ago when he was playing in the Ottawa band Pony Girl,” said Noel. “We played a show together in Fredericton at Reneu Boutique when Sentimentals were still Cedric Noel & the Sentimentals. We sparsely kept in touch and saw each other a few times when I would be in Ottawa or when he came through Fredericton.
“A few months ago he messaged me asking if I’d be interested in playing bass for him. I’m a big fan of his music so I said yes pretty much straight away.”
Now based in Montreal, Noel built his career as a musician and trusted collaborator while living in Fredericton over the past several years playing as a member of Redwood Fields, Sentimentals and LAPS as well as solo musician. His latest album, Under A Falling Building And Out The Other Side was released in February and he has since earned positive write-ups from both Exclaim! and Brooklyn Vegan, among others.
Though no longer a member of LAPS, Noel continues to seek out collaborators and is excited to hit the road with Vallentin later this month.
“When I heard his first album Hedera, which is very much an electronic album in my opinion, I thought he did a masterful job of threading the line between some of the best parts of indie rock and R&B,” he said. “Up to now all of the songs we’ve been playing have been off his upcoming album. While I feel he still has kept elements from Hedera, these batch of songs feel sharper and more direct. I would describe them as a less wandering Aidan Knight or less dissonant or chaotic early St. Vincent if that makes sense? In general, I find Isaac has a very good understanding of the strengths of his voice and is a very patient and precise arranger, two qualities that you won’t find in most songwriters.”
Isaac Vallentin and Cedric Noel Dates:
August 24 | Bellwether, Fredericton, NB w/ Graeme Kennedy
August 25 | Thunder and Lightning, Sackville, NB w/ Camille Delean
August 26 | Timber Lounge, Halifax, NS w/ Gianna Lauren
