New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Last week, Congolese-born, Montreal-based musician, songwriter, and DJ
Pierre Kwenders (he/him) won the coveted Polaris
Music Prize awarded to the Best Canadian Album for his deeply personal, innovative, and undefinable album José Louis And The Paradox Of Love (out now via Arts & Crafts). In celebration, he announces a run of North American tour dates - including his first shows in Los Angeles and New York since the record's release - plus live video for album standout, "Kilimanjaro." A storyteller at his core, a joyful and reflective Kwenders at the Polaris
Music Prize gala thanked family, friends, and collaborators who contributed to the telling of his journey: "This is for all the kids from the diaspora… This is my story. This is my African story, my Congolese story, my Canadian story. This is your story if you want to take it as yours." Motivated by the intricacies of love, the songs of José Louis And The Paradox Of Love weave together narratives from memories of the past, sketches of his hometown, and reflections on the future.
The live video for "Kilimanjaro" is captivating, as Kwenders sings under a moody spotlight. It captures how entrancing Kwenders is as a performer, giving a glimpse of what to expect during his live shows. The song feels like a throwback to another era with its unique mix of smooth jazz, Congolese rumba, contemporary electronic pop, 1980s retro, and '70s funk, emanating from Kwenders' reverence of African greats like Fela Kuti, Tshala Muana, and more.
Born in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kwenders borrows his stage name from his late grandfather, a widely respected businessman and community figure. Following his mother's footsteps, in 2001 Kwenders immigrated from Congo to Montreal. José Louis and the Paradox of Love is a culmination of personal growth and the musical dexterity Kwenders has honed over the years, converging his strong songwriting capabilities with the bravado he possesses as a DJ. The album explores an ongoing search to grasp the universal complexities of romance, sometimes through the lens of Kwenders' own intimate experiences. The songs were written and recorded over the span of four years, and the album is symbolically titled after his birth name, José Louis Modabi. Through different moments of tension and release, romantic narratives of beauty and disaster are packed into powerful poetic musical vignettes.
Kwenders will play select dates in support of José Louis and the Paradox of Love over the next few months, including his first shows in both Los Angeles and New York since the album's release.
Pierre Kwenders Tour Dates:
Wed. Oct. 26 - Los Angeles, CA @ Gold Diggers
Sat. Nov. 12 - Utrecht, NL @ Le Guess Who?
Thu. Dec. 8 - New York, NY @ Nublu
Wed. Feb. 8 - Victoria, BC @ Capital Ballroom
Thu. Feb. 9 - Vancouver, BC @ Fox Cabaret
Thu. Feb. 16 - Ottawa, ON @ SAW Centre
Fri. Feb. 17 - Toronto, ON @ Adelaide Hall
Fri. Feb. 24 - Montreal, QC @ Ausgang
