Colette Trudeau

Anyone who says rock doesn’t eat its young should talk to Colette Trudeau.

The Maple Ridge singer spent six years fronting Live On Release. The all female band of high school friends saw national chart action with “I’m Afraid of Britney Spears”. After three years of aggressive touring on two albums, the group imploded in an ugly breakup, leaving enemies and battle scars.
Now, Trudeau’s on the comeback trail. She turns 20 next week.

“My goals are pretty set. I do want to stick with this”, she says. “I love being on stage, I like traveling, meeting people and I love singing so much.”
“Fortunately, I have the grades to do whatever I want if it doesn’t work out.”

It’s been two years and change since she last hit a Vancouver stage. During that period, former band mate Britt Black has launched her new career. Now it’s time for the latest signing to Shred Records (www.shredrecords.com) to strut her stuff again.

“I played my first gig on June 2 with Hedley and I was actually freaked out. Do I still have it? Can I still perform? Get in touch with the audience?
Apparently it went off without a hitch. Credit some of that confidence to a hot five-piece band featuring former members of Flybanger, Gladyss Patches and other acts. On new songs such as “Spin Me” and “Shades”, it’s clear that Trudeau is out to prove something.
The track, “Freeze”, with lines such as “get on your knees, knees, knees, cuz shut up baby you’re mine”, makes it clear that she’s aiming for the coquette-pop sound that’s packing the airwaves today.
“Everything’s in place. I have my old agent back, working with Feldman (Agency) and I’m finishing up the album with a few big names co-writing with me. I’m so lucky to have so many good people helping me out.”

While not confirmed, word is that the list of aces includes Bryan Adams’ cohort Jim Vallance, Nickelback’s Chad Krueger and ex-Closure/DDT guy Brian Howes, who worked on “Freeze”.
The deal with Vancouver Indie Shred is for Canada and the label is seeking major partnership for distribution.
“It’s a great partnership and I don’t think I need a major for Canada because the situation for them is just not so good. We’ve chatted with majors in the States and have something in motion in Japan.”
The thing every major wants to see is an obvious demand for gigs. Which brings us tonight’s triple bill. Sold as “Nice girls behaving badly”, the event includes Trudeau, Kayle and headliner Cory Lee. Besides being and all solo-act indie bill, its gender focus is totally unique in the still guy crazy music biz.

By Stuart Derdeyn

- The Province- Vancouver B.C., Canada