Ché Aimee Dorval is no stranger to bending and blending genres into her own unique style. She effortlessly mixes trip-hop, folktronica, and soul with an alt-rock swagger, perfectly packaged under a blanket of raw and magnetic vocals for which she has become known.
Originating from Vancouver, BC, Ché has been making a name for herself for 10+ years. It was through writing and touring with Devin Townsend (Strapping Young Lad, DTP Project) in their band Casualties of Cool in the summer of 2014 that she realized a fulfilling and very special life could be made out of actively sharing her music with the world.
Prior to her work with Casualties, in 2007, Ché caught the ear of one of Canada’s most celebrated producers, David Foster (Michael Bublé, Celine Dion). She went on to write and record in LA with hitmakers Kara Diogaurdi and Greg Wells before heading back home to record her debut album.
Ché has always placed importance on songwriting and staying true to her own vision. With musical influences such as Jason Molina, Nick Drake and Lhasa, it’s no surprise her music reflects the importance of raw and honest writing.
In 2008, she released her debut album ‘Underachiever’ which showcased nine original songs. She set off on a small Eastern Canadian Tour ending in Toronto where she set up shop for the next few years until she hooked up with Andrew Loog Oldham (Ex-Manager and Producer of The Rolling Stones) back in Vancouver to record her next album.
Oldham had heard her voice for the first time on a mutual friend’s album and offered her a contract to record her original material, as well as two covers on his upcoming album Rolling Stones Songbook. Her cover of ‘As Tears Go By’ was declared the “coolest song in the world” by DJ Kid Leo on Sirius Radio.
In October 2015 Ché released ‘Volume One’, a six song EP produced by David Meszaros and herself and in March of that year she opened for folk artist Kim Churchill on his 12 date UK tour.
In the summer of 2016, Ché traveled to the UK again to play a solo show in London as well as a Casualties of Cool set at Ramblin’ Man festival in Kent and in August the Casualties duo headed down to San Francisco to shoot a 3 song Music Video/interview for their sponsor Dunlop on their Youtube series “Dunlop Sessions”.
This confidence carried into the writing and recording of Between the Walls and the Window, her second full-length project, released in 2017. As producer, Che tapped studio veteran Shawn F. Cole (Yukon Blonde, You Say Party! We Say Die!, The Painted Birds), known for his feel for biting pop/rock textures and moody atmospherics. On these sessions, such A-list players as longtime Neko Case guitarist Paul Rigby, bassist Darren Parris and drummer Daniel Ruiz augment Che’s sensitive, insinuating guitar touch. The result is a shifting, multi-layered sound that brings out the full scope and impact of Che’s compositions.
Che’s most recent album, “The Crowned,” released in January 2023, showcases her ascent to new heights, with a consistent thread of confidence and determination weaving through the entire record, signaling a new stage in her career.
2023 has seen Ché make a number of festival appearances in North America such as NXNE, BreakOut West, The East Coast Music Awards, VIFF Soundoff and Rifflandia Festival and perform shows with acts as diverse as Run the Jewels, Chromeo, Bif Naked and fellow Townsend collaborator Anneke van Giersbergen. Her journey continues as she gears up for a 15-date tour across the UK and EU in November 2023.