Two East Coast ensembles who both lost members at an impossibly young age last year have joined forces to create a new project.
Acadian roots duo (formerly trio) Vishtèn have teamed up with two members of equally successful PEI band the East Pointers to create 6 Hearts, for the first new song “MORE LOVE.”
After the passing of Vishtèn member Pastelle LeBlanc, remaining members Emmanuelle LeBlanc and Pascal Miousse created Vishtèn Connexions, working with other artists as a solution to moving forward with her in spirit. Their upcoming EP, Expansion, which will feature six different artists on its six songs, is scheduled for release in the spring of 2024.
Meanwhile, “More Love” is available on all major platforms and the video is out on YouTube.
6 Hearts is comprised of Emmanuelle and Pascal with Tim Chaisson and Jake Charron of The East Pointers. The genesis of 6 Hearts was rooted in the shared experience of loss. Vishtèn aimed to honor the memory of Pastelle, twin sister of Emmanuelle and life partner of Pascal; The East Pointers similarly faced the untimely passing of their band member, Koady Chaisson. United by their passion for music and its healing power, they converged, strengthened by the two hearts that remain with them in spirit.
To the pulsing heartbeat of a steady bodhran drum, “More Love” alternates between French verses and a French/English chorus as it builds to a vocal crescendo that brings home the point of the song: we all need more love. Set in a bucolic, pastoral scene, the accompanying video – directed by Millefiore Clarkes – matches the generous, welcoming spirit of the song.
“More Love” serves as the inaugural connection within the Vishtèn Connexions project, making it a fitting first release.
“The song draws inspiration from a recording discovered on Pastelle’s phone, dating back to February of 2018, and encapsulates the universal need for love and compassion,” said Emmanuelle. “This song transcends language barriers to deliver a message of unity. Instrumentation features bodhran, keys, guitar, electric guitar, and foot percussion. It’s my first recording of singing in English, and Tim sings in French!”
Vishtèn is an award-winning Acadian band from Prince Edward Island and the Magdalen Islands, celebrated for their dedication to preserving and promoting the traditional music of their Acadian heritage while also creating new Acadian music. They were nominated for a 2019 Juno Award, earned multiple ECMA and Music PEI Awards, and received the 2015 Edith Butler Canadian Francophonie prize from the SPACQ. Vishtèn has earned its place as one of the most respected bands on the international folk/trad live circuit. These two (formerly three) brilliant multi-instrumentalists and ambassadors for Francophone culture arrange traditional Acadian songs in a wholly unique way, while penning captivating originals in Acadian and Celtic styles, all conveyed with a contemporary sensibility that includes indie-rock production.
Vishtèn Connexions, a groundbreaking musical project, was born out of love and a desire to honor the memory of Pastelle, who passed away from breast cancer on April 8, 2022 at the age of 42. Pastelle’s creative spirit lives on through the more than 100 unfinished rough recordings she left behind on her electronic devices. Emmanuelle and Pascal have taken up the mantle, bringing these musical fragments to life by collaborating with musicians, dancers, and visual artists.
