Always read the fine print. Behind the big names that will draw crowds to the 55e edition of the Festival d’été de Québec starting today — Foo Fighters, Lana Del Rey, Green Day, Les Cowboys Fringants, among others — sometimes hides authentic discoveries. Here is one: Siibii. Six letters meaning “the river” in the Cree language. Originally from the community of Mistissini, now based in Montreal, the singer-songwriter behind this pearl of pop song called YOY will make its debut not only at the FEQ, but also on the stage of a major festival. “And I’m terribly excited!” Siibii tells us with a laugh, which she will do throughout our conversation.
Since last November, when the release of YOY, English Canada has taken note: Siibii, 22, has the seeds of a star. Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Carly Rae Jepsen and the rest must be looking in their mirrors to identify what’s speeding behind them.
Well, we exaggerate a little (so little…), but the proof that Siibii has something unique is there, in the song. The fine and strong voice, the luminous timbre, the tremolo which pulls the ear, in its natural element with this irresistible refrain served by a modern pop / R&B rhythm, signed David Osei-Afrifa and Jacky Levare. Blow of heart assured for this artist who discovered in primary school that she had such a voice. “During a Christmas concert, my teacher planted me in front of the microphone so that people could hear me sing better; I remember this weird feeling I had. Afterwards, she told me that people had to hear me sing even more. That’s when I realized I had a voice. »
My way of singing is different, the feeling of singing is different. I feel inside of me how far I have come in recent years; my music has become a tribute to my identity.
His grandmother transmitted to him the passion for music. “She practically raised me, because my parents, who had several children, had a lot to reconcile, about their identity, in particular. So my grandmother took care of me. She always, always played the guitar, even though she had hearing problems. She couldn’t recognize that her guitar was a little out of tune anymore, but she played and sang anyway. I imagine people might find her ridiculous, but for me she was a source of motivation. The first person in my life who was truly dedicated to music. »
Siibii moved to Montreal three years ago, then working for the organization inPath, which promotes the development of artistic careers for creators from First Nations through training, mentoring and professional coaching. “Surrounded by all these artists, I ended up telling myself that it could be viable to make music, that it could be a job. My boss also told me: “If you decide to get into music, we will support you.” It was strange for me to hear someone who had confidence in my talent, since I have quite a bit of self-confidence in life…”
New name, new identity
Siibii has taken the leap, releasing a six-song debut mini-album, For Those I Love(d), in the summer of 2020, under his former name, Angel Baribeau. Three years later, the artist, who identifies as non-binary, has changed. “I feel it, I even hear it, in the sound of my voice. My way of singing is different, the feeling of singing is different. I feel inside of me how far I have come in recent years; my music has become a tribute to my identity. Through this pop music “from all eras” that she likes. The songs of Kris Kristofferson will never leave her, just like those of Conway Twitty. “I love that guy! she said with a burst of laughter.
“I will still sing the songs I released under my old name at the Festival d’été de Québec, soon, but from now on, everything I release will be Siibii. »
YOY (as in ” Why, oh, why », repeated in the chorus) has the particularity of offering, on a joyful and lively music, a much more urgent text, which expresses the difficulties of the path traveled by the artist, who sings in particular this: « Time is ticking and it’s running out / Some days I’m lucky if I leave the house / I’ll keep on trying / ‘Cause I’m gonna get there / My inner child needs a little help / To show some kindness to my future self. »
“This song comes from the need to be authentic, transparent, to me and to the listeners, about addiction, mental health and the need to take care of oneself, explains Siibii. It’s a song in which I’m very vulnerable, and I wondered if people were going to accept it and appreciate it. But I like that on the surface it sounds like a happy pop song — I was influenced by the song pumped up Kicks by Foster the People: the music is danceable, but the text is really serious. It attracts me, this kind of songs where the text is heavy with meaning, but where the music comes to seek us by its rhythm. »
Siibii will be in concert on July 7, at 5:50 p.m., on the Loto-Québec stage in the park
of the Francophonie. The Summer Festival
de Québec runs until July 16.