Marie-Josée Houle

Marie-Josée Houle is an accordionist who lives in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. She participates in many local music groups such as Casadore [1] and Casey Comeau & the Centretown Wilderness Club, and also accompanies solo artists. She was born in Val-d'Or, Quebec and grew up in Edmonton, Alberta.

She also runs a radio show on Carleton University's radio station CKCU and is very involved in many aspects of the Ottawa folk and independent music scene.

In 2007, Marie-Josée Houle released her first solo album 'Our Lady of Broken Souls' which was nominated for a Best Folk Album award. It was recorded at Little Bullhorn Productions and was produced by Dave Draves. Musicians featured include Derek Loewen on drums and percussion, Aalya Ahmad on fiddle, Rob Skitmore on guitar and mando.

For her first show in Oslo, Norway, Marie-Josée Houle opened for Norwegian sensation Girl From Saskatoon (featuring Arthur Holoein - who died in early 2012 - on string bass and Eirik Roald on cello). She quickly became friends with the band members and invited Arthur to join her for her first cross-Canada tour during the summer of 2007.

Her second release 'Monsters' (2008) was also recorded at Little Bullhorn Studios by Dave Draves and was completed in Oslo, Norway by producer Marius Gengenbach. The album featured Norwegian musicians Arthur Holoien on string bass and uke, Eirik Roald on cello, Ulk Knudsen on piano and Ida Malin Sanden on soprano sax. Canadian musicians include Derek Loewn on drums, Dave Draves on piano, Neil Gerster on guitar and Aalya Ahmad on fiddle. 'Monsters' was nominated for a Best Folk Album award in 2008.

External links

• Of accordions and cleavage - article in the Ottawa Citizen
• Ugly Socks - Website of Marie-Josée Houle
• a playgrrround session in Vienna (Cruelle Poetesse, Shallow Breathing)