Starting in 2006, Quinn, Jan, and Liam began their musical journey at the tender ages of six, eight, and ten years old when their Mother developed cancer. Determined to lift her spirits, the boys began covering her favourite songs and sharing them on YouTube. After succumbing to her illness in 2008, the boys began busking on the streets of their hometown of Ottawa, inspiring people with their heartfelt story and jaw-dropping musical talent. The brothers quickly grabbed the label as “Canada’s Youngest Rock Band.”
Soon becoming known as “The Buskers of Ottawa Bluesfest,” in 2010, Grammy Award-Winning Arcade Fire was so blown away by the Brothers Dubé’s talent they ran to share the “Sidewalk Stage” for a few tunes – a magic moment indeed!
Since those humble beginnings, the Brothers Dubé, now ages 12, 14 and 16, have grown to produce and perform full-scale rock shows, drawing crowds in the thousands to their “mega-busking” street performances. They have since shifted their musical focus from classic rock to alternative rock, which is now the basis of their debut album. With album in hand, the Brothers Dubé went on to play some of North America’s largest music festivals including Bluesfest, Osheaga, and the Montreal Pop Festival. Their music has also been featured on award-winning Canadian television shows like Degrassi.
The Brothers Dubé are committed philanthropists and social activists and, through their performances, have raised over $150,000 for causes close to their hearts, most notably orphans in Haiti. The brothers feel a close connection with Haitian orphans as they are also children who have lost a parent. While visiting Haiti in 2012, they captured this connection in the documentary titled A Day in the Life to raise awareness about what orphans are faced with on a daily basis.
Today their goal is to encourage kids to change the world through their creativity and passion. In turn, the brothers developed Artivist’s Can Shine, a multimedia workshop they deliver to schools to inspire young people to become activists, or Art-ivists.
These three young, but accomplished, musicians have received numerous accolades and awards for community and charitable service. Some of their proudest accomplishments were receiving the 2011 United Way Community Builder of the Year Award, the Heart of Gold Award, a commendation from the Prime Minister of Canada, and a nomination for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and Governor General’s Award.
The Brothers Dubé are evolving to the world stage, with an upcoming performance at the Canadian National Exhibition opening for the world famous Beach Boys. With their natural artistic talent and charisma, the Brothers Dubé are primed to be a solid force in the music industry and an inspiration for young people everywhere.
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