Esmerine is a Canadian modern chamber music group that incorporates genres such as post rock, drone music, post punk, and Turkish folk. Founded in Montreal in 2000 by Bruce Cawdron (drums) and Beckie Foon (cello), current members also include percussionist Jamie Thompson and multi-instrumentalist Brian Sanderson. The band has released six albums. Dalmak, was awarded Instrumental Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2014. Their 2015 album Lost Voices is nominated for Instrumental Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2016. History 2000-02: Founding The chamber rock group Esmerine was formed in 2000, and was initially a duo consisting of percussionist Bruce Cawdron and cellist Beckie Foon. The two had recently met in Montreal while both were recording the debut album of Canadian post-rock band Set Fire To Flames. Cawdron and Foon had independently contributed to other Montreal-based groups as well, notably Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band, Saltland, Fifths of Seven and Mile-End Ladies' String Auxiliary. However, instead of using the guitar-focused sound of their other projects, the duo initially focused on percussion and cello, drawing on minimalist classical music and chamber music. The band initially performed their original music in gigs around Montreal. 2003-10: Early releases Esmerine recorded and released their debut album If Only a Sweet Surrender to the Nights to Come Be True in May 2003. It came out on the UK label Resonant Records, as well as the band's newly formed Madrona Records imprint. The album met with a largely positive reception. Allmusic gave it 4/5 stars, stating, "A French female name meaning quiet and sensitive, Esmerine is a fitting moniker for the overall sound," and calling it "a sublime chamber rock album that brings Rachel's or Wim Mertens to mind." While Allmusic described the later tracks as having rock influences, "The three opening tracks are serene, melancholic, and well-composed, avoiding the quiet-loud-quiet or builds-to-crescendo device." In 2004 the duo recorded their second album at the Hotel2Tango studio in Montreal. They released Aurora in May 2005 on Madrona Records, with a vinyl version released by Ninja Tune. In the mid-2000s Foon dedicated more time to Thee Silver Mt. Zion, while Cawdron continued to work as an acupuncturist. At the same time they continued to occasionally perform in Montreal, often bringing in guest artists or collaborating with other groups. 2011: La Lechuza Foon and Cawdron