Multi-award winning Francophone singer-songwriters Alexis Normand of Saskatoon and Ariane Mahrÿke Lemire of Edmonton are each set to release new albums and to celebrate they are embarking on a nine-show tour together across Western Canada this October. Dubbed the ‘We Ain’t Cowgirls! tour, Alexis and Ariane encourage audiences to “Venture out of your homes, your corrals, your saloons, and hear two shows for the price of one— a two-step unlike any you’ve ever seen! “
In contrast to the tongue in cheek tour theme, each Alexis and Ariane share a depth of artistic integrity that’s both admirable and magnetic. They both worked with highly regarded production teams to produce the ‘best work they’ve ever done’ both in the studio and in preparation for their live shows.
NORMAND is releasing her self-titled sophomore album through her newly signed label, Quebec’s les Disques de la Cordonnerie. Produced by Marc Pérusse (Serge Fiori, Luc De Larochellière), the album showcases 11 jazz-tinged folk songs that feature the chanteuse’s soft, warm voice. "I’m so thankful to have had the opportunity to work with some of Montréal’s crème de la crème on this record - lyricist Daniel Beaumont and producer/mentor Marc Pérusse. And singing a duet with my idol, Manitoba-born singer-songwriter Daniel Lavoie, was a dream come true." - Alexis Normand
To create a memorable, fresh new show for the road Alexis spent weeks in Montreal creating and rehearsing with sought-after artistic director Gaële. On tour Normand (piano, acoustic guitar, ukelele, vocals) will be accompanied by the multi-instrumentalist Marc Papillon of Eli & Papillon.
LEMIRE is providing Western Canadian audiences a sneak preview to her 2017 release, Je deviens le loup, which translates into English as “I become the wolf”. Lemire is excited to share this album because it represents rediscovery and transition of self as she has spent the last four years on hiatus, rebuilding and rediscovering life while recovering from two roll-over car accidents.
The album was co-produced by Don Benedictson (Heather Bishop, The Wyrd Sisters) and Quebec’s Marc Pérusse (Serge Fiori, Luc De Larochellière) and features Joey Landreth (The Bros Landreth), Murray Pulver (Crash Test Dummies), Ben Morrier (Chic Gamine), Andrea Lindsay, and Saskatchewan’s Anique Granger. Advance copies of the CD will be available at the live shows only. Jon Lagore will accompany her on guitar on tour.
TOUR DATES
Oct 20 Saskatoon, SK Village Guitar & Amp *
Oct 21 Bellevue, SK Salle Communautaire *
Oct 22 Moose Jaw, SK Common Café *
Oct 23 Gravelbourg, SK Centre Culturel Maillard *
Oct 24 Calgary, AB Wine-Ohs
Oct 26 Edmonton, AB le CAVA
Oct 27 Winnipeg, MB Centre culturel franco-manitobain (Salle Antoine-Gaborieau) *
Oct 29 Vancouver, BC Café Deux Soleils *
Oct 30 Regina, SK The Artesian
Nov - Alexis will continue her album release tour into Québec in November and to the Maritimes and Ontario in 2017, managed by l’Agence La Tournée.
*shows hosted by the Réseau des grands espaces (the Western Canadian Francophone performing arts network)
ABOUT Alexis Normand
When her fingers touch a guitar or piano, Alexis Normand delivers music that is downright seductive. Her soulful voice is hypnotic and her jazz - folk melodies in French and English recall the soft prairie wind and the enchanting glow of the living skies. Among other accolades, she and her debut album Mirador were recognized with several nominations including the Canadian Folk Music Awards and the Western Canadian Music Awards in 2013. She was also short-listed for a Lieutenant Governor General of Saskatchewan award in the emerging artist category. She also tours with Rosie & the Riveters: a vintage-inspired vocal quartet who released their debut album in October 2015. Their single “Ain’t Gonna Bother” peaked at #5 on the CBC Radio 2 Top 20 and at #9 on Earshot Magazine’s Folk & Roots chart.
Website: http://www.alexisnormand.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexisnormandmusique/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alex6normand
New Album Stream: https://soundcloud.com/alexisnormand/sets/alexis-normand-1/s-Qqb1P
ABOUT Ariane Mahrÿke Lemire
Hollow-bodied electric guitar in hand, Ariane Mahrÿke flirts with folk, jazz, blues, and electroacoustics while effortlessly moving from French to English. She offers dynamic performances and takes her listeners through expansive musical journeys sewn together by witty banter. Through her participation in events like the Festival en chanson de Petite Vallée in Gaspésie, the Coup de coeur francophone in Montreal, the Rencontres d’Astaffort in France and the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, she has become a seasoned musician. Her first album, Double Entendre, was crowned Outstanding Francophone Recording at the 2008 WCMAs, her second was nominated in the same category in 2010, and her third album, Wrecked Tangles and Love Knots, was released in the fall of 2012.
Website: http://www.arianemahrykelemire.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AMLemire/?fref=ts
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_m_lemire/
New Album Stream: https://soundcloud.com/a-m-lemire/sets/je-deviens-le-loup/s-Et9yk
