Blessed with a gift that spoiled her from an early age, Ariane Roy never stopped redefining her approach to writing.
The singer-songwriter continues to search for the smallest musical novelties that can fuel her creativity.
Between two summer shows, she talks to us about her different influences and inspirations.
You co-produced your album “Medium Pleasure” (with Dominic Plante). Did you play songs for your team while recording to give them an idea of what you’re up to?
The whole time! I went to Dom to work in the studio and I came up with a reference. I used to listen to Beach House’s Teen Dream album. Also the song “I Bet On Losing Dogs” by Mitski. I heard Sade, Phoebe Bridgers, the tennis group. There are songs by Kate Bush that have influenced me. I’ve been listening a lot to Sam Evian’s latest album Time To Melt.
You have excelled in competitions. Of all the artists you met at these competitions, what were your takeaways?
Valencia, I really like his music. He is an accomplished artist on multiple levels. He is an excellent songwriter from Quebec. Narcissus too. He’s an incredible artist. I was shocked. I loved.
Is there a specific show that made you want to do this job as well?
At the Tadoussac Song Festival I saw a performance by French singer Amélie-les-crayons. It was very theatrical. I had been listening to that for weeks.
For a while everyone said to me: “My ancestors, it was really an inspiration for you…”. That’s because I saw a show when I was 8 and thought it was “hot” to see a woman playing the violin on stage. I asked my parents to do it [suivre] violin lessons. It was my first door to music.
What music did your parents listen to?
“Queb” music was popular in our home, but my father was really a “fan” of jazz. At first I hated it. I got interested in it at the end of high school and at CEGEP because I was studying jazz singing. It seems that listening to all this youth has taken on a different meaning. It was associated with rather nostalgic memories.
Did you learn guitar when you were 12?
Not bad in these waters. I found the violin flattened out a bit. I started discovering pop music. I realized that I could accompany myself on the guitar. I copied the chords from Jean Leloup. Those were the first songs I learned.
Aside from Jean Leloup, what were the other things you learned at the beginning?
Taylor Swift. Four chord song genres. I was often the guitar accompanist at friends’ parties. After that, in Karkwa High School, I discovered Marie-Pierre Arthur.
I remember doing more rock music at summer camp, which is a music camp. It really wasn’t my “bag”. I hadn’t heard rock when I was a kid. I even found Simple Plan, which is after all a very trendy band, at c… in time.
But that changed because we were in bands. I had to do an Avenged Sevenfold song. I started singing my song and I learned my part of “Git” too. I felt very special there. It opened another door for me.
Do you have any favorite albums that you listen to on the go between shows?
“19 Masters” by Saya Gray. I love the “prod” of the album. How she interprets her melodies. It’s still pretty minimalist. It’s close to beauty. It’s very original.
The first time you met one of your idols when you started your career as a singer?
I did the “Chanson River” sessions for young singer-songwriters. It’s been a month of training and shows. Salomé Leclerc came to tell us about her career and she came to do an acoustic performance. It was a very special moment.
She told us how she made her album The Outside Things, which I had listened to a lot. She spoke about her creative process and I drank in her words.
Your copywriter or your favorite copywriter?
I recently heard an Alain Souchon song and said to myself, ‘My God! This guy has no common sense.” There’s also Richard Desjardins. Daniel Bélanger, I really like his writing style too. Mitsuki, she writes in English but I love her lyrics. Phoebe Bridgers too. The lyrics in English, I find it interesting to look at them Saratoga, the album This Is A Beloved Species I think it’s so well written.
In your wildest dreams, which international personality would you most like to duet with on stage or in the studio?
(Without hesitation) Sam Evian. I’m such an admirer of his talent, his ideas. If he offered it to me, I’d say, “I’m here Sam!” (laughs)
Your latest musical favourites?
Zouz is the band from the local scene that I feel the most about right now. I’m also a “fan” of plants and animals. I freaked out on her last album.
Your plans for the rest of the summer and back to school?
We’re still doing “shows” for the month of August and that lasts until winter. But this week I have a little time and I’m trying to compose. Slowly but surely. I’ve been wanting to come back to it. To see where the wind takes me.