Quebec indie darlings Angine de Poitrine delivered a thunderous set at the Festivent de Lévis, marking the live debut of a custom aluminum drum kit crafted by local manufacturer Ebenor Percussion. Despite weather delays, the duo showcased the cutting-edge instrument ahead of their upcoming international tour dates.
The Bottom Line
- The Debut: Drummer Klek of Angine de Poitrine premiered a custom-built aluminum drum kit by Quebec’s Ebenor Percussion during the Festivent de Lévis closing night.
- The Craftsmanship: Built with aluminum shells for a drier, precise sound and sharp attack, the kit was specifically tailored to the duo’s signature sound.
- Tour Realities: Due to complex international logistics, the custom kit will remain in Quebec for now as the band heads into their upcoming US and European dates.
Engineering a New Sonic Signature in Quebec
When Quebec indie duo Angine de Poitrine took to the stage at the Festivent de Lévis park Champigny on a stormy Sunday night, the performance carried high stakes for local instrument craftsmanship. Assuring the first part for Vulgaires Machins and The Offspring, the Saguenay-born musicians carved out a distinct moment for independent Canadian music engineering.
At the center of that sonic punch was a brand-new, custom-built drum kit designed by William Leclerc, founder of the Estrie-based company Ebenor Percussion. Following in the footsteps of fellow Quebec creators Guitares Godin—who previously crafted a microtonal bass-guitar for the band—Ebenor stepped up to refine the group’s distinct audio profile.
Here is the kicker: Leclerc didn’t just ship the instrument and wait for reviews. He made the trek directly to Lévis to witness the kit’s baptism by fire following a weather delay caused by late-evening summer storms.
“Le bass drum, ça sonnait tempête. J’ai vraiment vraiment un coup de cœur pour le bass drum,” Leclerc shared, noting his absolute fascination with the kick drum’s massive projection.
Inside the Aluminum Shells: Why Material Matters
The collaboration wasn’t born out of thin air. Leclerc personally approached Angine de Poitrine back in April to discuss building a kit that could elevate their recorded sound to the live stage. The resulting hardware represents a sharp departure from traditional wooden shells.
To achieve the precise acoustic footprint the band required, Leclerc opted for aluminum construction across the kit. Aluminum yields a drier acoustic response. For a band known for a controlled, razor-sharp attack, the metal shells deliver a precise sound and frank attack across the toms and bass drum.
Ebenor Percussion is no stranger to high-profile clientele. Leclerc’s workshop routinely services elite international players, including Todd Sucherman of the group Styx and Aaron Sterling, who worked on recent albums by Taylor Swift and Post Malone.
| Client / Project | Instrument / Collaboration | Operational Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Angine de Poitrine (Klek) | Custom Aluminum Drum Kit | Festivent de Lévis Live Debut & Local Tour |
| Todd Sucherman (Styx) | Custom Acoustic Drums | International Arena Touring |
| Aaron Sterling (Taylor Swift / Post Malone) | Boutique Studio Hardware | Global Session Recording & Production |
The Logistics Trap of International Touring
While the Festivent de Lévis performance proved that the new Ebenor kit is a live powerhouse, fans hoping to catch the aluminum setup on upcoming international legs will have to temper their expectations. Angine de Poitrine is gearing up for a schedule spanning the United States and Europe, kicking off their stateside dates immediately following their final domestic send-off in Quebec.
Because of those complex international tour logistics, Klek will leave the custom kit safely in Quebec, relying instead on rental kits in the city where he performs and tweaking them visually to maintain continuity. But Leclerc remains optimistic about the future, noting that he is actively exploring ways—however miniscule the odds—to get the custom aluminum setup across international borders eventually.
For now, catch the tail end of their domestic run while the aluminum is still hot.
What do you think of boutique instrument makers partnering with indie acts for live tours? Drop a comment below and let us know your thoughts on the gear shaping modern live music.
