You shared your debut album Daffodil-11 last month. Is there a theme that ties together all the different songs on the album? How did you arrive at that title?
If there was a theme, I think it would be the strange personal development that was happening in me at the time. I had a lot to work through. Imposed gender identity, failed projects, panic when looking at the future of the earth. In a way, I was hoping to comfort anyone who might relate to what I ended up expressing. In a nutshell: probably the watery-space vibes and existentialism. The title is a direct reference to my favorite book Slapstick by Kurt Vonnegut
Listening back to the album now that it is finished and released, what are the biggest musical influences you hear coming through?
Twin Peaks soundtrack, Radiohead, Jack White, Talking Heads, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Jay Som, ALVVAYS AND A LOT OF LOCAL MUSIC.
There are so many amazing Canadian artists working hard and spilling their hearts into records.
I am going to rep my late friends’ band Deep Bight because she would do the same for me, and they were amazing.
What are your favorite Montreal haunts? How would you describe your hometown to someone who wanted to visit?
The entity that is ‘Montreal’ is my favorite. I love pizzerias and dive bars especially. Bar De Courcelle, Quai des brumes, Casa Del Popolo and Darling Cafe… oh and Pizzeria Dei Compari.
But to be honest I really enjoy more private spaces like the studio I share with Baby Horse Records, the studio I made Daffodil-11 at called Studio St. Zo and my little apartment where I can curl up with my dog.
Although Montreal is my domicile, it is not my hometown. I come from Nanton, Alberta, Canada. It is small. You can see every star in the night sky.
Drive a few hours through endless fields and blue heavens and you can hike the Rockies or Badlands.
It is a perfect little piece of nature where my mom always has the kettle on.
What is the Montreal music community like? Is there a consistent “sound” that runs through most of the acts?
In a single night I saw a 70’s folk revival ensemble, an experimental bedroom pop group and a very noisy noise band.
There is immense and diverse skill in Montreal. The average participant at an open mic could be an opener for any of the theatre or stadium acts I have seen.
It continues to astonish and inspire me being from such a small place originally.
I would say the consistency is in the abundance of musicians and the willingness to experiment regardless of genre.
What are you most looking forward to this year?
Making a new record. Off we go, yip yip, yeehaw!
Thank you for taking the time to interview artists giving them a platform to exist and thrive!
