Vishten plays Celtic music with a French flair

HOW TO GO

What: Vishten

When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15

Where: Gilly's, 132 S. Jefferson St., Dayton

Cost: $25

More info: (937) 496-3863 or www.cityfolk.org

Cityfolk’s Celtic series begins with a French flair as Vishten performs this Saturday night at Gilly’s in downtown Dayton. With roots on Prince Edward Island and the nearby Magdalen Islands, Vishten performs traditional and modern music in the Acadian style.

The trio is comprised of Emmanuelle LeBlanc (bodhran, piano, whistles, dance and voice) and her twin sister Pastelle LeBlanc (accordion, piano, dance and voice), along with Pascal Miousse (fiddle, mandolin, guitar and voice).

“You can expect a high-energy show,” said Emmanuelle LeBlanc. “It’s a mix of our own newer Acadian compositions, and old songs we found in the archives that we bring up to date with more contemporary sounds.”

The members of Vishten were raised on small islands near the North Atlantic coast of Canada. The area was long ago colonized by French settlers, and French language and culture are still prevalent today.

“This music is what we grew up with,” LeBlanc said. “It’s really important for us to see that the music keeps going, that people appreciate it, and we pass it on to another generation.”

Although their lyrics are sung in French, Vishten is popular among fans who don’t understand the language and have no personal connection to Acadian culture. During concerts, the performers explain the meaning of each song, though LeBlanc believes English-speaking audiences have no trouble enjoying their shows.

“You kind of connect at another level,” she said. “Instead of listening to words, you’re listening to melodies and what’s going on under the melodies. I think that the energy in the music really gets to people.”

The tunes they play have a Celtic sound due to Irish and Scottish influences in the region.

“For someone who doesn’t know Acadian music, we usually say it sounds Celtic, but with a different flavor and a different language,” said LeBlanc.

The name of the group comes from a popular Canadian folk song called Vishten, which was an amalgam of various traditional tunes. “They were like little jingles that people would sing,” explained LeBlanc. “For us, it’s like a mix of cultures, which represents what we’re doing with our music.”