Wayne and Wendy Krekoski welcomed around 40 people to their home just north of St. Paul last Thursday evening for Home Routes, a living room concert featuring the Latin style of La Luna Di Santiago, and a unique opening performance from local band Tri-elle.
Tri-elle is composed of Elise Lamoureux, Chloe Corbiere and Danica Chrapko, three École du Sommet students. The band was selected to take part in La Chicane Albertaine, a battle of the bands competition in Nordegg from April 25 to 27, and Thursday was Tri-elle’s first performance as a group.
“It was nerve-wracking but I think it was a rush,” said Elise Lamoureux, who sang and played piano and trumpet during the performance. “I actually felt comfortable talking to (the audience).”
Tri-elle showcased two original songs that will be performed at La Chicane in a few weeks, and Lamoureux explained the idea for the songs came through inspiration and dedication.
“I went home and I had inspiration,” she said. “I had something to write about and I just wrote and wrote, and I worked on it home and next band practice I had a full song.”
Corbiere said the band has been practicing twice a week in preparation for Home Routes and the upcoming La Chicane Albertan, and feels Tri-Elle’s ability to work in multiple instruments such as guitar, the djembe drum, piano, trumpet and trombone will give them an edge at the competition.
“Usually the people who win at the band battles are people who have more instruments with less people,” said Corbiere.
Chrapko added while she was nervous during the performance in front of friends and family, it was great preparation for La Chicane.
“We learned what to work on, and what we did well,” said Chrapko. “We got to practice in front of people, and next week we’re supposed to be playing at Sunnyside just to get some more experience.”
Cristian Murillo, guitarist and vocalist for La Luna Santiago, said he was very impressed by the performance of the young three-piece band Tri-elle.
“I think they have beautiful voices . . . Those girls have lots of talent, it’s awesome and great to see,” said Murillo, adding the Home Routes experience provides a unique level of intimacy between the performer and the audience. “I think it’s great to see people very close like this. It’s very nice to just feel them right there, the intimacy of it.”
