artist Alexandre Desilets

Alexandre Désilets has one of those rare voices: daring, graceful, moving. He has been
singing for as long as he can remember, with his family, in the local church choir, and
non-stop in his head. As a teenager, his natural obsession for music inspires him to learna variety of instruments, like drums, guitar and clarinet, but he never focuses on any onein particular. Instead, he begins analysing their sounds and naturally weaving them intohis singing style. His voice thus becomes his main instrument.

After several years in agricultural studies at Laval University, Alexandre enrols at the
Concordia music faculty in 1998, in electro-acoustics. There he throws himself into a fulloutexploration of new ways to vocally express his musical vision, with the help of
electronics and studio wizardry. We can hear recordings of his voice as early as 1999, onan Interior Horizon compilation with Adham Shaikh, then later on Vegetation = Fuel andSolar Power of Freeworm. In 2005, Alexandre and Luso-Canadian friend Tiago
Conceição create the group funami. Together they produce Vocophilia, an entire album
of original and soulful electronica, built around samples of Alexandre’s unique voice.
This bold project leads the duo to Portugal, where they enjoy both critical and popular
success. Songs from Vocophilia are even featured on the Cirque du Soleil documentary
series, Fire Within.In 2006, Alexandre returns to his home country and embarks on his solo French-languagedebut. While writing songs in his mother tongue, he appreciates the natural intimacy thatemerges. J’échoue, his first in the language of Molière, wins best song at the “MaPremière Place des Arts” contest. Alexandre later wins best vocal performance at the“Petite-Vallée Song Festival” and, furthermore, takes top honours at the 2006 Festivalinternational de la chanson de Granby.

Inspired by this sudden success, Alexandre begins production on his first album in the fallof 2007, Escalader l’ivresse, under the supervision of director and arranger Jean
Massicotte (Pierre Lapointe, Patrick Watson, Arthur H, Lhasa, Jean Leloup) and producerDenis Wolff. Together they set out to redefine pop music by eschewing conventionalstructures: longer songs and modern sounds do justice to Alexandre’s hook-drivenmelodies. A handful of groundbreaking musicians is brought in: Serge Nakauchi Pelletier(Pawa Up First) on arrangements, guitars and bass; Robbie Kuster (Patrick Watson), Jean-Phi Goncalves (Plaster, Afrodizz, Beast) and Joseph Perrault (Pawa Up First) on drums;Jérôme Hébert on acoustic guitar (funami); with Massicotte doing amazing keyboard andprogramming work.Thus is born a fusion of ethereal electronic, post-rock and hook-laden pop music.

Alexandre’s soaring, soulful voice, backed by thoughtful lyrics and impressionistic
flourishes, is buoyed by well-crafted and surprising melodies. In short, an exceptional,
bold and timeless album in the Francophone musical universe.

Please visit
www.alexandredesilets.com
www.maisonnettemusic.com

Alexandre Désilets Signer-Songwriter
Jérôme Hébert Bass, pedal bass, guitars, synths
Steve Caron Drums, electronics
Daniel Baillargeon Guitars