The course
“I always knew I would make music for a living. It wasn’t “I want” to make music, but “I’m going to” make music. » Originally from Saint-Tite, little Rosalie already loved singing, but also wanted to accompany herself. She enrolled in a music option in secondary school where she learned the guitar, began writing songs and regularly participated in amateur competitions. His interpretation of World map was even noticed by the Boulay Sisters, who invited her to the big stage of the Francos, then to do some of their opening acts.
She was 15 years old, and that was enough to convince her parents to let her study music the following year at the Drummondville CEGEP. In 2021, Rosalie Ayotte decides to register for Star Academy, during the show’s big return. “I was approached by The voice but I liked the concept less. I was always afraid of the instant star aspect of this type of competition, and I really thought about it before going. » The singer makes it to the semi-final by presenting her own compositions – including Hills, which is found on the album – and does not regret having tried the adventure, which gave him confidence and made him meet lots of people. “That’s what made Audiogram contact me and that I could release an album. That was the trigger. »
Extract of Hills
Creation
When she came out of Star Academy, Rosalie Ayotte was so afraid that people would forget her that she hurried to write songs. “In two months, I was finished! But there, I was told: yeah, it has to be good, it’s the first thing people will see about you. And it’s true, I didn’t feel like listening to this in a few years and going: oh boy, that was average! » She then worked a lot with Stéphanie Boulay, “scraped tunes”, rewrote others completely.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Rosalie Ayotte
And in the studio, the musicians, Pierre-Emmanuel Beaudoin on drums, Vincent Gagnon on keyboards, as well as the director and multi-instrumentalist Simon Pednault, put themselves at the service of the vision she had in mind. “Simon, it’s one of the most beautiful encounters I’ve ever had. I don’t know much about the business, it’s complicated, the recordings, the fees, the deadlines… He was a really good director, and I tell myself that he was also my musical dad. »
Extract of Invincible woman
The album
For Rosalie Ayotte, this first album comes at exactly the right time. “Everything is ripe, everything is ready. » She reveals a lot and talks, for example, about mental health or addiction, in intimate texts that touch on emotions, just poetic and evocative enough for people to recognize themselves in them, and which gently distill hope and light. “I have always been an open book. I don’t have any secrets, for me it’s like lying! I’ve had big challenges in my life, I’ve been through a lot, I tell myself that if I tell others, they will feel less alone. And it makes me feel good just to write it. » In this album, which she sees as a calling card, she wanted to show a sound different from what one might have expected from her. Her folk wrapped in electro is more atmospheric, and she draws inspiration from “a little more funky” artists like Lou-Adriane Cassidy, Ariane Roy and Hubert Lenoir. “I wanted to make music that I would listen to. I’m not misrepresenting myself, I’m just making a little surprise. That’s why I wanted a colorful, eclectic cover, rather than me with my guitar on a railway track. »
Extract of Leave for a long time
The following
Rosalie Ayotte can’t wait to know how Bandage will be received, but she is well aware that a career is not built in a single album. “It doesn’t happen by snapping your fingers. I could say: OK, I’ll release an album, I’ll quit my job and it’ll be fine. I know it’s going to happen, but you have to take the time. » She therefore continues to work in a reception organization for newcomers in Drummondville, her adopted city, a job that she loves. She hopes to give shows, has a few opening acts planned, and would like to make a name for herself “in the small network of underground artists.” “My dream is to do the La Noce festival in Saguenay, to rub shoulders with artists who are real and simple. I never wanted to be an international star, I could go to all regions, seedy bars… As long as I was able to pay for my stuff. » And she hopes that by listening to her album, people will put images to what they hear. “I would like if one of my songs plays when people invite their friends over for dinner, the guests would say, what is this tune, it’s good! »
Extract of I will no longer be
Folk pop
Bandage
Rosalie Ayotte
Audiogram