Marie-Claire et les Hula-Hoops swirl onto music scene

Marie-Claire et les Hula-Hoops have twirled their way on the local music scene, and are making quite a statement.

With the flick of a hip, the four-piece psychedelic rock-a-billy group has wowed their way onto everyone's “have you heard of them?” list, playing shows and even earning festival spots.

Not bad, considering the band's young frontwoman only started sharing her musical abilities a year ago.

“I was never ready to start a project,” said Marie-Claire Cronier.

When she finally did give audiences their first taste of her original compositions in June, 2012, during Ontario Pop, the response was overwhelmingly positive.

The Sudburian ended up leaving with four awards, including the $1,000 SOCAN Best Song Award for her song Le carrosse dans le fossé, which translates to The Carriage in the Ditch.

The Ontario Pop experience, which is designed to assist emerging Francophone artists on the paths to success, certainly gave Cronier the kick she needed to begin sharing her music with the masses.

Since joining forces with experienced musicians Jeff Houle (lead guitar), Mitch Houle (drums) and Eric Hoop (bass), Cronier has been confidently rocking the front of the Hula-Hoops.

Her songwriting, which she said it “more solid” now, is coupled with years of experience from the band.

“They've been playing a lot in bands in Sudbury,” Cronier said. “It does help that I'm playing with awesome musicians that have been playing for a long time.”

While the band comes from heavier punk-inspired backgrounds, they have had no trouble making the move to more spacey, ambient arrangements for the sake of accompanying Cronier.

“We knew we wanted to play together,” she said.

They haven't had many chances to share the stage in the public eye, but have certainly made an impression when they have. Their first gig as a band was in November 2012, where they were part of a TFO show.

Since then, they've shared a few bills at the Towne House, and performed during la Nuit émergente, the emerging music portion of the La Nuit sur l'étang festival.

What is it that makes them so notable? Maybe it's the leading lady, which isn't entirely common of local bands, or maybe it's solely because of their sound.

“Our music has a unique sound to it, it's hard to pin point,” Cronier said. “I've heard some people say that it was refreshing to hear that.”

To hear what the Marie-Claire et les Hula-Hoops are up to, visit marie-claire.bandcamp.com, or catch them live at the Towne House on May 2. Cover is $7 at the door.

They will also be part of Northern Lights Festival Boréal, coming up July 5-7 at Bell Park. The decision to include the band was an easy one, according to the festival's artistic director Paul Loewenberg.

“They are certainly one of the most exciting new groups in town, not only in the Francophone scene, but in general,” he said.