When she wrote her album Chiac DiscoLisa LeBlanc dreamed of one day doing it on stage with a symphony orchestra. “We launched it into the universe.” Last spring, his wish was granted, four times rather than once. In order to keep a lasting memory of these magical moments, Lisa is releasing this week the audio recording of the performance she gave with the Quebec Symphony Orchestra.
“Today my life is shit,” sang Lisa Leblanc in 2012. The author-composer had no idea that, twelve years later, she would cover this popular piece on stage in the company of 63 musicians!
“It was quite magical as feelingshe said to Journal. I think anyone who plays with an orchestra shits their pants a little! [rires]»
Listening to the album Live with the Quebec Symphony Orchestrawhose arrangements are by Antoine Gratton, certain moments stand out, including one with… François Pérusse! The famous comedian made a comedy recording for the play Gossip II.
“I’ve been a big fan of François Pérusse for years,” says Lisa. I’ve been listening to it since I was a teenager and loving it. For me, it represents so many hours and hours of driving bandincluding a Montreal-Vancouver trip on tour.”
Album cover Lisa LeBlanc live with the Quebec Symphony Orchestra.
Courtesy
Rare collaboration
“By listening again Gossip III had the flash that it could have been written by Pérusse,” mentions Lisa. In this song, we hear someone chatting about everything and nothing while waiting to order a coffee. Pérusse thus created the voices of two ladies who speak to each other without saying anything.
“That was sick! Lisa says. During the show, it took people two seconds to understand. It was funny to see the reactions. I also think there are some who never understood what was happening. [rires]»
It is rather rare to see François Pérusse team up like this with another musical artist for a concert. Unless I’m mistaken, the only other time he did it was for the Cirque du Soleil show, The Beatles LOVE.
“All I want is to be next to McCartney and Pérusse,” Lisa retorts, laughing when this is pointed out to her. This is my wish!”
The return of the banjo
In total, Lisa LeBlanc gave four symphony concerts in the spring: two in Quebec, one in Montreal and one in Ottawa. “The shows were crazy, for different reasons. It was stupid!”
The experience was so impactful for the New Brunswick artist that she recognizes that it could influence the work on her future albums. “It opened up a lot of possibilities. It’s going to come back somewhere eventually, but I don’t know how.”
Already, the symphony concerts have encouraged the musician to bring out her banjo, which she had buried well during Chiac disco. “For this album, I don’t feelais not. I didn’t want to become a caricature of myself with the Acadian, the banjo and the cowboy boots! I wanted to go somewhere else completely.”
But now, she has started playing this instrument again and she is exploring it more for future songs. “I’m learning different methods to play it. I think it’s cool.”
Currently writing for a next album, Lisa LeBlanc has not set a deadline. “I really like to take my time making albums. I have the luxury of doing it, I am very aware of it.”
A camp in Louisiana
At the time of our interview, the musician was preparing to pack her bags for a month and a half trip she will take to Louisiana. “I will be here until November 20. It’s a music, dance and Cajun food camp. I did it eight or nine years ago and it really inspired my album in English [Why You Wanna Leave, Runaway Queen?]. I’m really excited!”
“There are people from everywhere, but many from the United States, who are going to do this camp. There are many Cajun style violin and accordion lessons. […] I love Louisiana. I have lots of friends there and there are lots of cool artists. It’s a beautiful world, I like it.”
Lisa LeBlanc’s album, Live with the Quebec Symphony Orchestrais on the market.
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