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MUSIC

The Groupe Arseneault Release Riguedigue

Moncton, NB – June 1, 20-12 – The Groupe Arseneault will be releasing their newest album Riguedigue. Arseneault, which includes members of the former band La Famille Arseneault, will have a first official launch on Saturday, June 9, at 8 pm in the Jeanne-de- Valois building auditorium, on the U de Moncton campus. The evening will feature many surprises!

Special guests such as former Famille Arseneault members Émerie and Bella Arseneault will join the group onstage.

Arseneault will also be launching their album in Charlottetown, PEI, on Saturday, June 23, from 5 to 8 pm during a family event at the Carrefour de l’Isle Saint-Jean and in Grand Falls, NB on Friday, June 29, during the Regional Potato Festival.

Riguedigue (an old French expression for music) is a dynamic album performed by seasoned musicians whose main goal is to make people dance! The album includes original songs with traditional roots sprinkled with modern influences. The choice of songs has been done so to please existing fans and to attract new ones, young and old alike.

Linda Arseneault, who’s considered the creative force behind the group, is the main singer songwriter. She draws her inspiration from her everyday life as well as Acadian culture. She writes songs that are uplifting with the goal of making people dance in mind. “I like to write feel good songs, tunes that will make people happy and that gives hope, she says, even when I write songs that might have sad undertones, I like to give them a cheerful twist.”

Songs such as Annie, Les bonnes femmes (du bon vieux temps) as well as Le mythe à Pauline pay tribute to women who have had an impact in Linda’s life. The album titlesong and the lively Un p’tit coup! are party songs that will make people clap their hands and stomp their feet. The recent radio single Dahme Esperanza, is a love song with a warm latino beat that is sure to be a hit during the summer festivities (lyrics: Linda Arseneault; music: André “Coco” McGraw).

It’s no surprise for a group that reunites family members to see the family theme at the heart of songs such as L’histoire de nos parents, a song that pays tribute to grandparents once written by Linda and Martin Goguen, the percussionist of the group who’s also very active in the band’s management. Goguen emphasizes how Acadian pride is at the heart of their work: “We have always been proud to be who we are, where we are from. We sing it in songs such as Vive l’Acadie! It’s important for us to convey this pride in our songs.”

Linda emphasizes the important contribution of other group members in song creations. Richard Goguen has written and performed ‘72. Two original instrumental medleys have found their way on Riguedigue: La toune à Martin/La reel bozo (composers: Martin Goguen & Gérald Arseneault) and La reel galicia/La p’tite vache (composers: Amélie de Arcos & Vanessa Lynn Small).

Recorded at the Studio Belliveau in Grand-Barachois, Riguedigue was produced by George Belliveau who also made the musical arrangements with Arseneault. Sound and mastering are by Mike Bourgeois. The photography and album design are by Jocelyne Vautour.

The group has collaborated with many musical guests: George Belliveau, Joel Robichaud, Mario Robichaud, Richard Bourque, André “Coco” McGraw, Benoit Picard, and Martin Gallant.

On the Road: 2012 Summer Shows
- June 9: Moncton (Jeanne-de-Valois Building) – Album Launch
- June 23: Charlottetown, PEI (Carrefour de l’Isle Saint-Jean)
- June 29: Grand-Sault, NB (Regional Potato Festival)
- July 1st: Riverview, NB. (Caseley Park, for Canada Day)
- July 4: Dieppe, NB (Mercredis shows)
- July 11: Shediac, NB (Lobster Festival)
- August 6: Parrsboro, N.-É. (Ships Company Theatre)
- August 25: Moncton, N.-B. (Benefit concert at the Manhattan)

The members of Arseneault have acquired over the years a vast musical experience onstage and in the studios while touring with La Famille Arseneault. The band was very popular in Atlantic Canada, the United States and Quebec. This Acadian music group was nominated in 2007 and 2009 at the East Coast Music Awards. In 2009, after ten years of touring and the release of four albums, la Famille Arseneault had decided that it had reached the end of its journey. The band members were ready to move on with new adventures.

In 2010, six original members of La Famille Arseneault : Gérald Arseneault, Linda Arseneault, Richard Goguen, Vanessa Lynn Small, Martin Goguen, Amélie de Arcos as well as new member, cousin Michael “Freedo” Frigault decided to pick up where they had previously left off. They are back with a richer, younger, and modernized sound.

These seven seasoned multi-instrumentalists musicians full of energy remain loyal to their Acadian culture. To learn more about the group and to check out its video series of the recording of Riguedigue produced by Botsford Productions, visit

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