Montreal-based group El Balcón offer a focused and original take on global folk fusion with “Christina,” a track from their debut album El Errante, released in March. Self-produced and carefully arranged, the song brings together influences from son jarocho, Eastern European, Middle Eastern, and Latin American folk traditions, resulting in a sound that is both grounded and fresh.

Formed in 2018, the group brings together musicians from a range of backgrounds: Valeria De Marre (vocals, zapateado), Charles Cantin (jarana, vocals), Josh Greenberg (requinto, oud), Alex Marchand (double bass), Nicolas Lafortune (cajón), and Nominoë (violin, vocals). Their music is anchored in the rhythms and techniques of son jarocho from Veracruz, Mexico, but extends outward to incorporate elements of Eastern European, Middle Eastern, and Latin American folk. Instruments like the oud, violin, and donkey jawbone (quijada) add tonal variety, contributing to a sound that feels layered but not overworked.

“Christina” stands out for its dynamic interplay between vocals and instrumentation. Intricate foot percussion (zapateado) provides a rhythmic foundation, while shifting harmonies and melodic phrasing carry the song through moments of tension and release. Lyrically and musically, it speaks to ideas of identity, movement, and cultural hybridity, fitting themes for a group defined by musical migration.

El Balcón have steadily built a following through performances across Canada and Europe, including appearances at the Calgary Folk Music Festival and a recent tour in Belgium. With El Errante, they present a clear and cohesive vision: drawing on a range of traditions while creating something distinctively their own.

You can listen to and purchase El Errante, the debut album by Montreal-based ensemble El Balcón, on Bandcamp