Brothers Dubé – Canada’s youngest rock band playing for kids, one riff at a time.

When a mother of three young children dies tragically young of the effects of a dread disease, the results are an inconsolable loss. If the father of those three young children left without a mother has the great good sense and the foresight to imbue in his children a sense that they can accomplish something that their mother would be proud of them for, and give them a sense of purpose and a link with their dead mother, he has hit the jackpot of parental accomplishment.

And that, precisely, appears to be the genius of Rob Dube, the father of Quinn 10, Jan 12, and Liam 14. Who as a trio present as the Brothers Dube. Kid rockers, as they term themselves. With more than enough talent between them to impress not only the audience at Ottawa's Bluesfest but seasoned bands like Arcade Fire as well.

The boys have created their own tradition of releasing a white balloon into the atmosphere in memory of their mother who died in 2008 of breast cancer. The release of the balloon goes beyond remembering their mother; it also serves as a way to reach her, to remind her they're still there, and they'll never put her memory aside.

When she was ill, receiving cancer treatment, the boys began to tinker with their father's musical instruments, playing their mother's favourite music. That was four years ago, and they've never quite set those instruments aside. They do a lot of busking, livening up the music scene in Ottawa, and at the same time raising funds for charity.

They drew the attention of an impressed impresario, who now represents them as a producer. And with that encouragement they wrote songs and began recording, and they've now got a CD, titled One. With their father's help and encouragement the Brothers Dube have raised over $100,00 for charitable causes, through corporate donations primarily.

The boys honour their mother's memory by producing music that attracts the attention of popular music enthusiasts. And Ottawa-based developer Claridge Homes has stepped forward to sponsor the Haitian-relief charity Kanpe to the tune of $10,000 on their behalf. A portion of the sales of their CD is set aside to benefit the Boys and Girls Club during Bluesfest; so far $1,600.

An upcoming tour in their ancestral Ireland before the summer is out will see them playing bars, pubs, clubs, festivals and street busking in over a dozen Irish towns and cities, as a result of their Irish grandparents' arrangement of a busy schedule for their talented grandchildren. Pretty fantastic to see young boys aimed in such a positive direction.

Good on them.