Poirier Orkestra, a quartet based in Rivière-du-Loup, Québec, presents “J’Arrache Mes Clôtures” (“I Tear Down My Fences”), a single taken from their 2021 debut album Même Si…. The track combines elements of roots reggae, Afro-Caribbean percussion, acoustic folk, and jazz-inflected brass, creating a layered arrangement that supports its central theme: the dismantling of personal and social barriers. Sung in French by bandleader Sylvain Poirier, the lyrics adopt a direct, unembellished tone, matching the song’s steady, groove-driven momentum.

The group brings together musicians with varied backgrounds. Poirier contributes vocals and guitar; Guillaume Pigeon performs on double bass and accordion; Steve “Bou” Bédard handles tenor and soprano saxophone; and Joseph Wadjiri, originally from Cameroon, provides percussion using djembe, darbouka and other hand drums. The instrumentation reflects a clear interest in rhythmic and melodic interplay across traditions, without relying on pastiche. “J’Arrache Mes Clôtures” maintains a strong Québécois identity while opening outwards—musically and thematically—towards a broader, more interconnected sound world.

You can listen to and purchase the full album Même Si…, featuring “J’Arrache Mes Clôtures” HERE