Pascal Labillois

It's been said that every artist is a link in a chain. Pascal Labillois was influenced by Melissa Etheridge, who adored Bruce Springsteen, who followed Woody Guthrie. Each of these artists has explored the lives of everyday, ordinary people, expressing their kinship through a roots-rock sound and strong, pop vocals. Labillois continues that tradition.

The Quebec native first picked up a guitar at the age of 12, began writing songs at 14 and decided to fully pursue music at 17. He spent the next years traveling – Labillois performed in bars and clubs across Canada and jammed with George Strait’s band in Texas. The life of a nomad “got me in a bit of trouble,” he says, “but I got great songs out of it.

Labillois’ first collection of his emotional, autobiographical songs, The Road to Yourself, earned him new fans in the US, Europe and Australia. Labillois had moved to Toronto and discovered a new creative path by performing with and producing albums for other bands and singers.

After another round of travels – during which he toured the southern US states, learning country in Nashville and playing the blues in Memphis – Labillois began working on new projects in 2006. Joined by Juno Award-winning guitarist Wendell Ferguson and top Toronto drummer Gary Craig, Labillois crafted new songs like “I Belong with you,” “Spring Rains” and “Burn” – together with his collaborators, Canadian music veteran Doug Blais and brilliant engineers Michael “Dullboy” Langford.

Labillois is currently recording his new album with Producer Brian Gagnon and promises a new CD in 2007 featuring his unashamedly-heartfelt lyrics, a more acoustic-rock sound and “a few surprises.” The ‘road to himself’ is now set to lead further ahead than ever before, as Labillois continues making music that celebrates Canada’s rich heritage, gifted talents and ordinary heroic people.