Simon Kearney is one of the most active artists on the Quebec music scene. At 28, the singer-songwriter and producer offers with his fourth album, The Islanda work where skin-deep folk is inspired by the calm of his life on the Île d’Orléans.
But what about pop’n’roll, a label he brandished high on his two previous albums, Open house And America ? “You know, the famous phrase, the king is dead, long live the king… I invite people to reflect and listen to them again posthumously! »
Maturity
It’s gentle irony, of course – that’s what strikes you when you meet him, his gentleness – but Simon Kearney, like many other artists before him, did not want to repeat himself . And his passion for folk is genuine, he says, recounting that he grew up listening to Zachary Richard, and that at 14, he was an “alien” who preferred Dylan to Eminem.
In short, today he is “in sync” as much with who he is as with the place where he lives. “I made this album for me. I have gained maturity and confidence, I am less in the eyes of others. » Simon Kearney admits: he was looking for a bit of attention on his pop’n’roll albums.
I was so explosive! You can hear it even in production, there is a little gadget every 15 seconds, like forget me not!
Simon Kearney
Conversely, The Island was recorded in four days, Buena Vista Social Club style, with all the musicians playing at the same time in the same room, therefore without the possibility of retouching. The result is something that breathes, but also human, he believes.
Extract from Great challengeby Simon Kearney
“The other albums were so thoughtful. As soon as there was something a little off, I went to correct it, there was autotune in my voice… That’s living with imperfections. »
He has placed simple and poetic lyrics on this “music carpet”, in a more classic and less urban style than that of his previous records. These are the stories he observes, and his own, that he tells in this album with palpable and assumed emotion, whose title not only evokes the island of Orléans where he lives, but is also in reference to Montreal, where he has an apartment, to Cuba, where he traveled and whose music nourished him – Latin rhythms are present on the album –, the Magdalen Islands, where he goes every year.
Extract of The house is shakingby Simon Kearney
“It’s all this magic around the islands that I love, and the contemplation of the water. That’s the album, finding myself alone to compose something more emotional. That’s the cheesy side of it! ” Oh yes ? “But if it’s true, it’s not stupid. »
Simon Kearney is categorical: in this world “which is not doing so well”, there will never be too many love songs. “If we clung to hope and love, things would be better,” believes the singer, who is one of the spokespersons for Hommes Québec, a listening and speaking group founded 30 years ago by Guy Corneau.
“If it can help to talk without taboo and prejudice, to resolve problems with men, everyone will benefit. » He, in any case, is not afraid to show his sweet and tender side. ” Yes ! I think the good guys will win. ” He’s laughing. “Anyway, I’d like that!” »
Training
In recent years, Simon Kearney has also become a sought-after director. He worked with Émile Bilodeau and Jérôme 50, among others, so it was logical, after having co-produced his previous albums, that he produced this one entirely. “But I had my concept, and I asked for a lot of input from the musicians. »
He likes the idea of walking between his work as a singer and that of a director. “It’s a balance to have. » Simon Kearney has also become his own producer – he is licensed with Big in the Garden – and dreams of creating a new cultural venue on the Île d’Orléans, where he already has a studio.
“The cradle of French America, Félix Leclerc… It’s not normal that you come to the island just to drink cider and pick apples! There has to be more than that. » Would he have a bit of a businessman side? “No choice, things are so bad in the music industry!” », replies the musician, who is greatly inspired by Pilou’s project in Saint-Adrien.
PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, THE PRESS
Simon Kearney
I’ve been playing music for 10 years, I’m starting to know a lot of things. I didn’t go to university, but what kind of training would that amount to? I applied for grants, recorded a double bass, worked on TV, accompanied people. You do things when you’re a singer-songwriter!
Simon Kearney
He hopes that this album will touch people and allow him to give a lot of shows – around twenty are already on the calendar. And where does he see himself in five years? Still in his house on the Island, of course.
“I would like to continue to gradually build my career and my reputation, respecting myself, with joy and joy, without being exhausted by this increasingly difficult industry. To be paid my fair value, and to be able to pay the world its fair value too. That we can work and be happy because things are going well. »
Folk
The Island
Simon Kearney
Big in the Garden