Luis
Dubuc - vocals, keyboards, drums
THE SECRET HANDSHAKE is no secret.
But when Luis Dubuc first took to playing solo shows in 2001 armed
only with a guitar and his voice, he did not exactly stand out.
With a million singer/songwriters in the world, it was hard to
make a name and show crowds that he deserved a voice outside his
drumkit, splintering wood for Texas-metal act INFIRMITY
(Doll House) and Oklahoma-noisecore outfit Thirty Called
Arson (Pluto Records). Luis was not alone on stage for long,
shortly joined by girlfriend Bethany Brown in January ’04.
While he expanded his acoustic anthems to include electronic drums,
she added bells, a second keyboard, and her voice. The two were
a perfect match and fans loved the connection in both the lyrics
and the live atmosphere.
In the winter of that year, Luis self-released his debut, appropriately
titled Antarctica, which sold exclusively online and at
shows to his ever-growing group of dedicated fans. The ten-song
full length showcased his honest lyrics and creative ability to
incorporate catchy melodies alongside digital backbeats while
preserving the integrity found in his stripped down beginnings.
Shortly after the release, Luis was asked to share a track from
the release ("The Glitch") with Drive-Thru Records
for their worldwide sampler Bands You Need To Know. With
an initial pressing of 200,000 copies, THE SECRET HANDSHAKE’s
fanbase was instantly and massively expanded.
In the midst and aftermath of the debut, Luis booked and promoted
six nationwide tours, sharing the stage along the way with bands
like Underoath, The Gloria Record, Hello Goodbye,
Jenoah and others. He also started adding more equipment
and sounds including his iBook (also his main recording unit)
and vintage Wurlitzer, mixing both organic and electronic sounds
in his new material. The feel of the new songs also had a change.
While Antarctica played to a sleepy dreamlike state, the
material on the Doll House release This Is Bigger Than
You and I, deals with a very vibrant, growing relationship,
and is warm and active in contrast to the wintery full length.
This Is Bigger Than You and I is the most potent and integral
material yet from THE SECRET HANDSHAKE. Its six-tracks
of organic and electronic anthems blend catchy melodies with upbeat,
poppy hooks. Piano and harmony play the majority role and point
to an exciting progression for the future. Lyrically This Is
Bigger Than You and I is a reflection of hope, lost love and
closure, dealing with both the trying times and celebrations every
lasting relationship holds.
THE SECRET HANDSHAKE recently signed to Triple Crown
Records and his sophomore full length is slated for release
in Spring 2007.
THE
SECRET HANDSHAKE newest release, the 6-track EPThis is
Bigger Than You and I, is available now in our online
store.
