by Jason AnkenyThe music of DobaCaracol channels influences from Afro-beat to reggae to folk, effectively belying the group's Québecois origins. Frontwomen Doriane Fabreg and Carole Facal first met at a Montreal rave, bonding over their shared affection for percussion-driven music. In 1998 they founded DobaCaracol, deriving the moniker from their respective nicknames. For the next five years Fabreg and Facal performed as a duo, building a repertoire comprised of traditional songs and chants from across the globe. Their debut LP, Le Calme Son, followed in 2001, supported by tours that stretched from the U.S. to Egypt. Two years later DobaCaracol's lineup expanded to a sextet with the additions of guitarist David Laflèche, bassist Maxime Lepage, keyboardist Martin Lizotte, and percussionist Mohammed Coulibaly. Upon signing with the Indica label, the new lineup released its breakthrough LP, Soley, in 2004, and a year later the group was featured on the Toronto stage of the international Live 8 concert.