Marie-Pierre Arthur
I strongly dislike categorizing things. Anglo/Franco. Yes/No. Chocolate/Vanilla. Most categories are too narrow (or too vague, it’s all the same) to really illustrate what it’s supposed to include. Long story short, it just makes me cringe. But sometimes it’s necessary. Like for the francophone and anglophone music scenes in Canada, for instance. They are still two very distinct scenes and rarely do we see those two mingle music wise. I would be happy to have a 5 hour conversation on the topic of Canada’s bilinguism, but let’s stick to the point. MUSIC! The francophone music scene is thriving, it’s wonderful and it wants to be your friend. We’re not going to let the language barrier win so easily are we? So here it is : your guide to the francophone crème de la crème of 2009.
Dumas - Traces
1. Dumas – Rouge, Demain, Au bout du monde, Traces
Back in December 2008, Dumas released the enigmatic album Nord, the first album of a series of five due out for 2009. One would think that after more than a year of not having a home and constant moving around from France and back to the Belle Province Dumas would want to stop and sleep for a bit. Much to the contrary, going back in the studio and recording three new albums was just the way to recover for Dumas. The first part of the puzzle was Rouge, a limited edition album that featured 10 melancholic new songs. Demain also features 10 songs and was tinted with ambient and more refined sounds. Then again, like the aunt who refuses to leave your house after Sunday morning coffee time (in a good way, I think?), he released Au bout du monde in which he mixed classic French song with rock and pop. Does one ever get sick of Dumas? Yes. But it’s the “delicious cake” kind of sickness. The last piece of the eternal casse-tête of albums, Traces, landed on the shelves this December. Dumas is now out of the studio and back on the road. He’s doing a residency at Le National for the last week of December, catch him if you can.
2. Marie-Pierre Arthur – Self-Titled
Once Ariane Moffatt’s bassist, Marie-Pierre Arthur wandered out of other people’s bands to treat us with her wonderful first solo album, out on Montreal label Bonsound. She got help from fellow Québécois Louis-Jean Cormier, boyfriend François Lafontaine (Karkwa), Patrick Watson’s Robbie Kuster and Galaxie 500 alumni Olivier Langevin. Gaëlle wrote the beautiful lyrics to go with Arthur’s melodies. Her first album is heartfelt pop goodness with a hint of rebellion. You’ll love it if you like Karkwa or Land of Talk. Bonsound put three free songs on her official website.
3. Lac Estion – Affranchi
4. Le roi poisson – Self Titled
Le roi poisson shares members with Lac Estion and Le Citoyen, hence the similarities in the sound of all three bands. Le roi poisson stand out with their ever so surprising ability to play with words as well as they play with guitar riffs and drum beats. Sample some tunes, love it and buy the album at their official website.
5. Yann Perreau – Un serpent sous les fleurs
Yann Perreau could be the lovechild of Serge Gainsbourg and Cyndi Lauper. Yep. He’d have his mother’s spunk and stage presence, his father’s genius song writing and undeniable charm. Un serpent sous les fleurs goes beyond French chanson and ventures into a more daring mix of genres. It deserves your attention. (Psssst: clicketyclick) Evidence of said “spunk“.
6. Mara Tremblay – Tu m’intimides
(To me) she’s the Québécois Neko Case without the Russian poetry, the fun twangy voice you hear in your mother’s car, the weird nosy voice with the Chihuahua in her music video. Mara Tremblay introduced me to the joys of mandolin and alt-country. Tu m’intimides is her stunning fourth album, more pop, less twang. It suits all kinds of ears and it’s beautiful. Listen to Tu m’intimides here.
7. Jean Leloup – Mille excuses Milady
Jean Leloup, John the wolf, Jean Leclerc, dead wolf, Pablo Ruiz or whatever you want to call him is the Neil Young of french canada. Sometimes irreverent and disrespectful (I mean he did get boo’ed by his own fans a couple of times), Leloup has a love/hate relationship with his fans, his music and himself. Milles excuses Milady is a great album. It doesn’t deserve to be in any top something lists but I’m mentioning him because I think everyone should know him. He’s a music icon. You know, it’s truly frustrating when you really want to hate an artist for being such a douche but his music is too good for you to do so. Comme la vie est laide, laide… dammit! Figure him out here.
Hey did you hear about the new Malajube EP? They are not officially releasing it on Dare To Care and it’ll only be available at shows and on their website (although they are thinking about a possible digital release). It’s a limited edition 12’’ with pretty serigraphy printings by Alice Jarry from Sérigraphie 514. It’ll include “Malajube remixes by Malajube” and some new songs.
Zut alors lovelies,
Christine
