Alexandre Désilets
Montréal, Quebec, Canada | INDIE
Music
Press
Although Quebec’s Alexandre Désilets has played France, his market and fan base are largely French-Canadian. Which is a pity, as his live shows are entrancing, merging Radiohead-ish rock dynamics – he has a degree in electro-acoustic music – with a textural sense and songwriting style that’s recognisably French. No indie rocker, his filter and sensibility is Gallic.
'La Garde' is his third album, following 2008’s 'Escalader L’Ivresse'. As before, the producer is Jean Massicotte, who’s also worked with Pierre Lapointe (like Désilets, from Gatineau), Patrick Watson, Lhasa de Sala and (France’s) Arthur H. Together, they’ve created a sensitive, restrained but emotive album with subtly glitchy beats and rhythmic, squalling bursts of tonal colour. Those elements were to the fore on his 2005 debut, where he was half of the electronica duo Funami. But that was issued in Portugal only and sung in English. Back in Canada and reunited with his first language, he’s pursued a more individual path.
The entry point is Désilets’ voice. A thing of grace, it’s choirboy clear, high pitched and unstrained. Never above the instruments or arrangements, Désilets sits back, gliding in and out. There are moments when the programmed electronic beats – no matter how delicate they are – work against tones this organic: say, the opening moments of 'A Pas De Géant', but when the yearning melody takes hold, the music and atmosphere take over. Warmth is quickly re-established on this great song. 'Le Repère’s' misty psychedelic quality echoes The Beatles’ 'Flying' while the album’s closer, 'Si Loin', sparsely oozes hurt and meditation. The key track, however, is the soaring 'J’Oublierai'. Subtlety that leans towards the anthemic while retaining intimacy is a rare thing. On 'La Garde', Désilets pulls it off with grace. - rockfort.info
Although Quebec’s Alexandre Désilets has played France, his market and fan base are largely French-Canadian. Which is a pity, as his live shows are entrancing, merging Radiohead-ish rock dynamics – he has a degree in electro-acoustic music – with a textural sense and songwriting style that’s recognisably French. No indie rocker, his filter and sensibility is Gallic.
'La Garde' is his third album, following 2008’s 'Escalader L’Ivresse'. As before, the producer is Jean Massicotte, who’s also worked with Pierre Lapointe (like Désilets, from Gatineau), Patrick Watson, Lhasa de Sala and (France’s) Arthur H. Together, they’ve created a sensitive, restrained but emotive album with subtly glitchy beats and rhythmic, squalling bursts of tonal colour. Those elements were to the fore on his 2005 debut, where he was half of the electronica duo Funami. But that was issued in Portugal only and sung in English. Back in Canada and reunited with his first language, he’s pursued a more individual path.
The entry point is Désilets’ voice. A thing of grace, it’s choirboy clear, high pitched and unstrained. Never above the instruments or arrangements, Désilets sits back, gliding in and out. There are moments when the programmed electronic beats – no matter how delicate they are – work against tones this organic: say, the opening moments of 'A Pas De Géant', but when the yearning melody takes hold, the music and atmosphere take over. Warmth is quickly re-established on this great song. 'Le Repère’s' misty psychedelic quality echoes The Beatles’ 'Flying' while the album’s closer, 'Si Loin', sparsely oozes hurt and meditation. The key track, however, is the soaring 'J’Oublierai'. Subtlety that leans towards the anthemic while retaining intimacy is a rare thing. On 'La Garde', Désilets pulls it off with grace. - rockfort.info
Just as mesmerising is Canada's semi-falsetto Alexandre Désilets. His rock jumps off from In Rainbows Radiohead, but the songs themselves draw from the classic romantic arc of chanson. Although little heard of, he receives a standing ovation. http://www.mojo4music.com/blog/2010/08/francofolies_la_rochelle_2010.html
Wouldn't it be nice if Alexandre Désilets could be more widely known? I first came across him by accident at FrancoFolies de Montréal in 2009. He was great live. Saw him again at La Rochelle in 2010 and he was even better.
http://kierontyler.blogspot.com/2011/01/review-alexandre-desilets-la-garde.html - mojo4music.com / Kieron Tyler worlds of music
Just as mesmerising is Canada's semi-falsetto Alexandre Désilets. His rock jumps off from In Rainbows Radiohead, but the songs themselves draw from the classic romantic arc of chanson. Although little heard of, he receives a standing ovation. http://www.mojo4music.com/blog/2010/08/francofolies_la_rochelle_2010.html
Wouldn't it be nice if Alexandre Désilets could be more widely known? I first came across him by accident at FrancoFolies de Montréal in 2009. He was great live. Saw him again at La Rochelle in 2010 and he was even better.
http://kierontyler.blogspot.com/2011/01/review-alexandre-desilets-la-garde.html - mojo4music.com / Kieron Tyler worlds of music
Discography
ALBUMS
La garde (2010)
Solo release, singer-songwriter
Escalader l’ivresse (2008)
Solo release, singer-songwriter
Funami - Vocophilia (2005)
Project by Funami, the duo of Alexandre Désilets and Tiago Inuit Conceição
Singer, co-writer and co-composer
SINGLES:
2009 - J'échoue (acoustic version)
2009 - Où vent nous mène
COLLABORATIONS
Akido – Undark (2011)
Singer and co-composer of the song Kiss of Death
Bran Van 3000 – The Garden (2010)
Featured on Stillness
Studio 12 (2009)
Compilation – Various artists
Song: L’éphémère
Claude Léveillée – Clo-Clo-Rico!– children’s songs (2009)
Various artists
Performed the songs À la ferme de grand-père, Le chœur des puces, Regardez bien and Les enfants et la pluie
Hommage à Nino Ferrer – Allo Nino (2009)
Various artists
Song: L’Arbre noir
Merci pour la chanson (2008)
Compilation – Various artists
Song: L’éphémère
Band Mark (2008)
Compilation – Various artists
Song: L’éphémère
Catherine Major – Rose sang (2008)
Contributed vocals on La Voix Humaine
Marie Cherrier – Alors Quoi? (2007)
Album by French singer-songwriter Marie Cherrier
Contributed vocals on two songs and co-wrote the title song, La funambule
L’univers de Rajotte (2007)
Compilation – Various artists
Song: Aléatoire
COMMISSIONED WORKS: FILM AND TELEVISION SOUNDTRACKS
Face Time (2010)
Co—composer of the film's soundtrack, with Jean Massicotte and Mathieu Vanasse
Tromper le silence (2010)
Singer and co-songwriter with Serge Nakauchi-Pelletier
Yamaska (2009-2010)
Contributed vocals on the soundtrack of the TVA network’s Yamaska series
Cirque du Soleil: Fire Within (2003)
Composer, soundtrack of the documentary series on the Verakaï show
Photos
Bio
Montreal-based singer-songwriter Alexandre Désilets is a gifted melodist whose refined brand of pop is unquestionably irresistible. With his finely honed writing style, the way he powerfully stages his music and his distinctly personal virtuoso voice, Désilets creates a world unlike any other on the Francophone musical landscape today.
In 2006, Désilets was propelled to centre stage while touring the music competition circuit, where he nabbed countless awards, and he has been wowing audiences ever since. Not surprisingly, his first album was eagerly awaited.
Released in 2008, Escalader l’ivresse created shockwaves. Désilets’s sumptuously ethereal songs were an instant public and critical success. His unique brand of pop, an exacting blend of soul and atmospheric rock carefully layered with expertly sculpted vocal samples, made Escalader l’ivresse a bit of a gamble, but one that paid off for him big-time. The two-year tour that followed its release took him and his band to the top festivals.
Meanwhile, he was increasingly called upon to collaborate on cutting-edge artistic projects. Soundtracks (Le baiser du barbu et Tromper le silence) and group projects gave him a chance to explore every facet of his creativity and secure his place on the cultural scene, as attested to by the many awards and honours he has received.
In 2010, Désilets again rose to the challenge with the release of La garde, a more grounded world inhabited by driving grooves and catchy melodies. Yet again, Désilets brought powerful imagery to the fore and cranked up his creative juices, concocting a clever mix he dubbed “alternative soul.”
Désilets is also known for the refined esthetics and innovative nature of his projects. Case in point: his video for L’éphémère went viral on YouTube, while his 8 songs, 8 movies, 8 directors project gave young filmmakers carte blanche to put images to his album La garde. The result was simply stunning.
But the experience would not be complete without seeing a show. Backed by his team of talented musicians, Alexandre Désilets continues to strike a fine balance between verve and sensitivity, sometimes floating on a warm breeze, other times carried away by a strong gust. He’s on the same wavelength as his fans, delivering an entrancing and magical experience.
AWARDS AND SPECIAL MENTIONS
2011
ADISQ – Nominated for Pop-rock album of the year
2010
SPACQ - André “Dédé” Fortin Prize, Breakout Artist
2009
Félix-Leclerc Prize/FrancoFolies de Montréal
Grand Prix de la relève musicale Archambault
2008
ADISQ – 4 nominations: Pop-rock album of the year, Revelation of the Year, Best Music Video, Best Director
Étoile Galaxie Prize for his performance at the Rideau music industry trade show
Révélations Radio-Canada Musique
GAMIQ – Nomination: Revelation of the Year
2006
38th Festival international de la chanson de Granby – Winner in all categories combined (11 out of 14)
Ma Première Place des Arts – Finalist and Best Song of the Year for J’échoue
Festival en Chanson de Petite Vallée – Finalist and Best Performer Prize
Links