Terez Montcalm comes out of the shadows with a new album, “Step Out”

Every day, a personality invites itself into the world of Élodie Suigo. Tuesday February 20, 2024: Quebec author, composer and singer, Terez Montcalm. She is releasing a new album “Step Out” and will be on stage at the Studio de l’Ermitage in Paris on March 26.

The Quebec singer, author and composer, Terez Montcalm, is this iconic voice that we discovered with her albums Voodoo (2006) and Connection (2009). Connection even appeared at the time of its release in second position in sales in France between Diana Krall and Melody Gardot. In 2009, she was this same bewitching and bewitching voice with the title My Lonesome Cowboy in the film’s soundtrack lucky Luke by James Huth.

Terez Montcalm is back with a new album: Step Out composed of 15 cover songs revisited with brio and simplicity and it will be on stage at the Studio de l’Ermitage, in Paris, on March 26.

franceinfo: Why Step out ?

Terez Montcalm: It’s a way of saying that it’s been a while since we released an album. I think since 2015. Step Out because we come out of the shadows, we go there, we release a new album.

Where does this voice come from for those who don’t know your background?

When I was little, everyone thought I had a cold because I already had a hoarse voice. Then my mother took me to see a doctor. I have wider than average vocal cords. We call it a whispering voice. The vocal cords barely touch to allow air to pass through. It gives that effect. But I’m not the only one who has this. I use it to sing, but there are quite a few people who have blowing vocal cords.

In any case, you finally have this vocal experience, which says a lot about the work that was done, also about the musical culture that you have. It starts very young and there is a film that makes you want to sing. Tell us this anecdote.

I had one of my uncles who worked in a cinema. Every Saturday, my sister and I spent the day watching films. Then at that time, there was a film called A child like any other and there was a young man who sang so well! I was maybe 17. When I came home, I started singing to try to imitate him. I realized that I was capable of singing. I started singing and never stopped.

Did you understand very quickly that music was going to be your greatest love story?

“Singing is what I love most in the world.”

Terez Montcalm

at franceinfo

I always sang, I never stopped. I did several little things on the side like working with Carbone 14, a modern dance troupe.

Is that how you started?

Yes. I was an actress, which propelled me into a slightly broader environment. But music is what thrills me the most.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHwj-9gUZIM

When people tell you that you are the most rock of jazz singers, do you relate?

Or the jazziest of rock singers! The reverse also works. Quite. I like it when it grooves, I like the drive. I’m not the type of jazz singer in a little black dress who doesn’t move much on stage. I like it when things move around a little.

Why did you wait so long to release an album? There was indeed a pandemic in the middle…

Ah, this story was quite laborious. Actually, I started recording in 2019, 2020. I had already come in February to record six songs and perform shows. I was supposed to come back in March for some shows and finish recording the album. The pandemic started, then the day after I returned to Montreal, they closed the airports. I stayed with us for three years. And then when the time came to record, I came back here last year to finish the album. And there, there was a kind of traffic with what was already scheduled for the other artists, that meant that it delayed the shows, the album releases for a year and then here I am.

This album is a bit of a tribute or a declaration of love that you make to Motown, but especially to soul music, the music of the soul. Do you feel affected by this?

Quite. It’s music that also speaks. It’s comforting, it’s good to hear. I’ve been thinking about it for a while and I really wanted to pay tribute to these great artists.

Let’s talk about Troubleit’s a song that is part of you, is it your favorite?

No, but it was my manager who insisted that I do it. Before, I finished the show with double bass, vocals, I sang Trouble. But there, we decided to do it with the band.

You will be at the Ermitage on March 26 in partnership with Jazz Magazine. Is the stage the logical next step when you make this kind of album?

That’s why we record albums, to be able to perform on stage and to be able to meet the public, to please the world, to please ourselves. Yes, obviously, that’s why we do this job. In any case, for me it’s to make a scene.