Polaris Winners' Karkwa announce their return | Reveal Details of First Studio Album in 13 Years

Thirteen years after their last studio album, cult favourites and Polaris Prize winners, Karkwa have risen again and release the first single and video, “Parfaite à l’écran” to be taken from their new album, out on September 8th via Simone Records. The band also share details of their upcoming tour to celebrate the release. Full tour details below. Tickets on sale 6am EST today, May 18th.

Watch/Share: Karkwa “Parfaite à l’écran”

Available now on all music services

Comprised of Stéphane Bergeron (drums), Louis-Jean Cormier (guitars and vocals), François Lafontaine (keyboards), Martin Lamontagne (bass), and Julien Sagot (percussion), the quintet is back with “Parfaite à l’écran”, a short film that is very much of its time: now. And tickets go on sale today for a series of concerts, including three Montreal dates at MTELUS, as well as shows in Toronto, Quebec City, Sherbrooke, and Jonquière this fall.

Directed by Xavier Bossé and Cao (Charles-Antoine Olivier), the video for “Parfaite à l’écran” opens in a sparse, blank space. Then, with a few steps across the wood floorboards, Pascale Bussières takes a place directly in front of the camera, and for the following three minutes and thirty-six seconds, we watch the actress perform a cinematographic and human stunt in which she manifests a wide array of emotions one after the other, with staggering self-control: She is truly “parfaite à l’écran”—picture perfect.

A legacy that abides

Formed in 1998, Karkwa searched for its musical identity, finally finding firm footing with the 2005 release of its sophomore LP, Les tremblements s'immobilisent. This record found instant critical and public praise, quickly establishing Karkwa as a premier live act. These accomplishments were consecrated in 2008 with Le volume du vent, an irresistibly soaring, orchestral, minimalist work. Then, in 2010, the band released its masterpiece, Les chemins de verre, which became the first—and still only—entirely Francophone album to win the prestigious Polaris Prize for best Canadian album of the year. In 2012, the band released a live album, then took an extended break as each member pursued their various projects. But fourteen years of rocking Quebec had left its mark: A slew of prizes, including more than ten Félix awards; and many hundreds of shows, including Canadian and North American tours, as well as many trips across the Atlantic. Finally, in 2023, Karkwa truly returns, with an album in the works and a brief tour.

“Parfaite à l’écran”, the first track of a new album to be released in the fall, is available now on all streaming platforms.

KARKWA ON TOUR – TICKETS ON SALE NOW

• September 8 – Québec City – St-Roch XP
• November 24 – Sherbrooke – Théâtre Granada
• November 25 – Jonquière – Théâtre Palace Arvida
• November 30 – Montréal – MTELUS
• December 1 – Montréal – MTELUS
• December 2 – Montréal – MTELUS
• December 7– Toronto – The Garrison