Rouge

Kelly McMichael (Gentleman Reg) and Jess Tollefsen (Green Go) formed Rouge while living in Guelph in 2007, driven by shared obsessions with spandex and dance music. Their synthesizers began a powerful love affair that provided a base for strong vocals and clever arrangements. The DIY scene in Guelph helped to get the girls on their feet; it was the Royal City’s sweaty basement dance shows that inspired their early work. Their self recorded (and self titled) EP was released early the following year with help from local collective Burnt Oak. After lots of practice as a go-to house party band, Rouge developed a sophisticated live act that moved them above ground and onto some real stages. Over the last year Rouge has impressed large audiences with a surprisingly big sound for a couple of babes and their keyboards. Also in 2008, the young Emma Tollefsen dispelled notions that three’s a crowd when she joined up as Rouge’s drummer.

In 2010, after a hiatus to work on other projects, Rouge decided to put Toronto on the receiving end of their graceful split leap back onto the scene. Never resting, Rouge has more momentum than ever – and lots of reasons to get noticed. Jess and Kelly have added their vocals to some of the hottest bands around, including The Magic, The Forest CityLovers and Toronto’s emergent indie darling Allie Hughes. Rouge has pre-heated the stage for Rae Spoon, Gentleman Reg, Laura Barrett and Bocce, and toured with pals Light Fires and Sheezer. They were well received at this year’s CMW festival, NxNE, and Pride festivals, gaining much deserved status as a “Toronto buzz band” (Little Red Umbrella). 2011 marks the triumphant release of their sophomore EP, recorded with a little help from Heather Kirby (Ohbijou), Karl Snyder (Kidstreet), Keiran Adams (Everything All The Time, Sarah Harmer) and Evan and Geordie Gordon (Islands, The Magic). At the rate they’re going, it won’t be long before Rouge is on everybody’s lips.