Maxim Cormier

Maxim Cormier is a solo guitarist, composer, producer and freelancing accompanist, currently based in Halifax. Cormier flatpicks Scottish fiddle tunes and composes his own contemporary music for fingerstyle guitar, piano and small ensembles. His father, Gervais Cormier, is also a musician and plays guitar and mandolin on some of the tracks on this self-titled album (“Fathers Know Best,” “Tunes with Dad,” “Hornpipes for Uncle Joe,” “Morisson’s”).

Cormier’s takes on traditional Scottish tunes, are inspired and breathe a new, modern life into something so traditional and culturally rich. They are blended together perfectly, with “Tunes with Dad” being a particular standout.

Cormier’s own compositions, while still most definitely Celtic in nature, sound more contemporary than the traditional tracks on the album. The contrast between the styles is very interesting and showcases a young artist who is capable of composing something which has one foot firmly in tradition, and the other in a more contemporary place. His flatpicking ability is incredible, and adds a unique spin on the more traditional folk tunes. It is also refreshing to hear fiddle tunes being played in this way – it really adds a new perspective, and makes the music more welcoming to those who perhaps would not normally listen to folk, particularly more traditional folk.

When combining his own original compositions with traditional songs within the same track, Cormier demonstrates just how versatile a musician, and how talented a composer he is. “Fathers Know Best” is a perfect example of what Cormier does so well; blending the old with the new and creating something which fans of both contemporary and traditional folk music can enjoy.

Maxim Cormier features Grammy Award winner Gordie Sampson on Rhodes and piano (on Cormier’s own composition: “Le Grand Boulanger de L’Est”), Scott Macmillan (additional guitar on “Fathers Know Best,” “Hornpipes for Uncle Joe”), Colin Grant (fiddle on “Fathers Know Best”, “Morisson’s”), Jason Roach (piano on “Fathers Know Best”, “Morisson’s”), Ben Marmen on cello (“Morisson’s”, “Big Sample’s Reel”) and Rankin MacInnes on electric bagpipes (“Big Sample’s Reel”, “Morisson’s”). Production on the record is well balanced and very clear, and deserves a definite nod of approval in the direction of Cormier himself, and Mark Shepherd.

All in all, Maxim Cormier is a stellar debut from a musician who is incredibly good at what he does. Anyone who is looking for a modern twist on traditional Celtic folk won’t be disappointed here. - Electric Kiwi (U.K.)

After a several-year absence at Celtic Colours, I returned in 2012 to find a few new faces among the familiar musicians there. One was Maxim Cormier, a young and exceptionally talented guitarist from the Acadian village of Cheticamp, in northwestern Cape Breton.

Maxim's first, self-titled recording was fresh off the presses, funded in part by a 2012 "Big Sampie" grant from the festival's very active Drive'ers Association and Lakewind Sound. The album includes a number of his original compositions as well as traditional and covered tunes.

I have no way of knowing how hard Cormier worked to learn this music, but it sounds effortless here. The music is presented by Cormier with considerable aplomb in flatpick and fingerstyle arrangements. In addition to some solo tracks, he's joined here and there by Colin Grant on fiddle, Jason Roach on piano, Scott MacMillan on guitar and bass, Gordie Sampson on mandolin and rhodes, Rankin MacInnis on pipes, Ben Marmen on cello and his father, Gervais Cormier, on guitar and mandolin.

The music here includes the traditional sounds of Cape Breton and Scottish tunes, as well as folk and nu-jazz compositions.

Maxim Cormier is the next in a line of gifted guitarists to crop up in the music-rich soil of Cape Breton. I expect to hear a great deal more from him in years to come. - Tom Knapp - Rambles

Maxim Cormier is a young solo guitarist, composer, producer and freelance accompanist from Cheticamp, Nova Scotia. Today in Halifax, he launches his debut CD – which featurs the likes of Grammy Award winner Gordie Sampson, Scott MacMillan, Colin Grant, Jason Roach, Gervais Cormier, Rankin MacInnis and Ben Marmen. Celtic Life International spoke with Cormier about his passion and profession.

What is your own ethnic background/heritage?
I’m an Acadian from the small village of Cheticamp; a small francophone community completely surrounded by Scottish, Anglophone communities. It’s funny how their music grew on me.

How, when and why did you get involved with music?
I was always interested in Music. My father, Gervais Cormier, is a fantastic guitarist and bassist. I was always fascinated by music. After my 11th birthday, I got my first real guitar and it hasn’t left my side since.

Are they the same reasons you do it today?
I play music today because I can’t imagine not playing music. My life revolves around it.

What else inspires you?
I’ve been asking myself that very question and it’s hard to pin point what it is that inspires me. Many things inspire me. Some things inspire me to practice more, some things inspire me to compose, etc. Inspirations typically arises from people or situations (hypothetical or real situations)

What are the challenges of the vocation?
The challenge of being a musician for me, so far, has been to stay motivated through frustrating times.

What are the rewards?
The rewards are having something to call your own that people use for entertainment purposes. Knowing that people are receiving your message and gaining from it is a wonderful feeling. The rewards of practicing and getting better are that it musically opens new possibilities every time you learn something new.

What have been some career highlights?
Even though my career is still very much in its early stages, I’ve had the honour to play at Celtic Colours International Festival the past 4 years. I’ve won the Festival Drive’ers Association’s Big Sampie Award, which granted me recording time to make my debut album. I’ve also had the chance to share the stage with Troy MacGillivray, Colin Grant, Jason Roach, Scott MacMillan, Ben Marmen, Douglas Cameron, JP Cormier, Gervais Cormier, Cyril MacPhee, etc

How did the new recording come about?
The recording was sponsored by the Celtic Colours International Festival driver’s association and Lakewind Sound, who, together gave me 6 days in the studio to make a debut album.

What was the process like?
Working at Lakewind was absolutely amazing. My album has 6 original compositions and 5 Celtic medleys. I did a composition with Gordie Sampson. It’s a folk/nu-jazz tune on which Gordie played the Rhodes piano and mandolin. I also have Colin Grant and Jason Roach on two Tracks, Ben Marmen and Rankin MacInnis on two track as well as My Father, Gervais Cormier and Scott MacMillan doing a few accompaniment tracks. I’m really pleased with the album!

What has the response been like so far?
The response has been great. People at Celtic Colours loved it and it’s doing quite well in my hometown and the surroundings. I’m looking forward to releasing it in Halifax and abroad.

Is your creative process more ‘inspirational’ or ‘perspirational’?
My creative process is definitely a bit of both. I rarely create anything uninspired, yet, inspiration alone rarely makes me finish a project.

What makes a good song?
A good musical work is one that you can listen to with little effort or stress. It makes an impression and stays on the listeners mind. It must have something for a wide audience to latch onto and remember. Otherwise, the information enters one ear and leaves out the other. A good musical work for me is also one with a purpose. Meaning that it has a specific Meaning or message, harmonic and/or melodic ideas that render the work interesting, mathematical patterning, etc.

What’s ahead on your creative agenda?
I’m completing a bachelor degree in guitar performance at Dalhousie University, and I’m working as a performer, arranger and composer with the new group Nova Scotia Guitar Quartet. We’re working on songs from the classical repertoire, jazz repertoire, classical crossovers and pieces written for us. I’m also working with a funk / folk / jazz / world-music group Patchwork Affair; which is also based out of Halifax. I hope to stay busy as an accompanist as well as get a new Celtic band as well, which is still in its very early stages, up and running in the New Year. - Celtic Life Magazine