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Vancouver-born, L.A. based 23-year-old Geneviève Bellemare instills her music with moody soulfulness and an inventive sense of melody- it is a brightly arranged breed of pop that makes you move. Geneviève is currently gearing up for the release of her debut album ‘Melancholy Fever.‘
GroundSounds recently caught up with her to talk about her latest project and more, check out the exclusive interview below.
For those just discovering Geneviève Bellemare, can you tell us a little bit about your background and how you got started with music?
I grew up in a very musical household. My mum is a really good singer; she was always one of the lead vocalists on the church worship team. My dad played everything you put into his hands. Brothers and sister are all able to do something musically-related quite well. I started singing when I was able to (maybe 3?). I mostly did it through church/bible camp contest/at my birthday on the kitchen table. I went through a long period starting at about age 9) when I felt like “Ok, maybe I’m not that great at singing, so I will do something else.” I focused on dance and stopped singing. Then I realized that dancing is not something I felt 100% confident doing. I also started listening to different genres of music. I would sing along, and I think that is what really sparked something in me to realize that I had something unique to offer to people and to myself.
What was it like growing up in Vancouver and how does it compare to Los Angeles?
Well I mean I left B.C when I was 11… so I would say I grew up partially there, but I would say I mostly grew up in Oregon. But to compare Vancouver to L.A- I would say there are actually a lot of similarities. The food and cultural diversity is present in both. But the trees and weather are where they differ from one another.
Can you tell us about working on and bringing your debut EP ‘Live And Die’ to fruition?
The EP was essentially 4 songs we chose from the album to be presented as a sample, or teaser of some sort to get people pumped about the album.
What was the inspiration for your track “Riddle?”
Writing the song Riddle was a really funny one for me. I was in my bed (I think it was like 6 pm) I had a little microphone set up in GarageBand and I was trying to finish this other song I was working on with a different producer. I wasn’t getting anywhere with the song and became completely frustrated. I remembered I had a tune Mitchell Froom (producer on Riddle) had sent me and I just decided to open it. As soon as I opened it I lied down and started doing this talk singing thing, (exactly how you hear the first verse) and when I was done I thought to myself “Wow this could either be really shitty… or maybe really good…”, so I sent it to Mitchell and his response was extremely positive. And then I gave birth to Riddle.
We are really stoked for your debut album ‘Melancholy Fever’, what has it been like working on this project and bringing it to fruition?
Thank you! Meeeee toooo!!! Working on this album has been a very interesting and surprising process for me. Meaning I didn’t realize just how many new things I would learn about myself as a singer/songwriter. I thought I knew how I worked and that that was the only way I worked… but when you get into those writers blocks, (which I had never experienced before) I learned that you have to then really challenge and push yourself to go outside your norm and to be open to trying things. Initially I was extremely uncomfortable with the idea of co-writing with people because I had only ever done it all by myself. But now that’s all I want to do 😀 Working with different producers brought out sooo many different elements in the album that I know wouldn’t be there if I’d just done it all myself.
What inspired the album name ‘Melancholy Fever?’
I was working and heard a song say “cabin fever” and I thought to myself that the word fever is good… and then I dunno, it just popped into my noggin and it stuck. I have always liked the word melancholy, and I feel like my album definitely reflects a melancholy vibe.
Can you tell us about the creative and writing process involved with your track “Shenanigans?”
Shenanigans was written with Paul O’Duffy, and with Paul I feel like I can go into the studio telling myself, “Ok I wanna do a fast song today” or “I want to do something more ballad-y” and then I can go do that. When I got to his house and we started working I think we were both trying to achieve something big. I’m usually more down for just going in and letting whatever happens happen but I wanted to make something different from any other song on the album when I was at Paul’s. I was also really trying to create a song that I felt like a lot of people could listen and relate to. A lot of my songs/lyrics on my album are a little harder to decode (not that I think no one is going to relate to the other songs) but for Shenanigans I wanted to be extremely clear about what I was trying to get across.
What musicians/bands are you currently listening to?
D’Angelo- Black Messiah
Tame Impala- Currents
Deerhoof- La Isla Bonita
After the album release, what’s next for Geneviève Bellemare? What can fans look forward to?
I’m HOPING that people will start to be able to see me on tour! I want to get the shows rolling so badly. I also am itching to start working on my next album. So maybe not tooooo long after the first one there will be a second album on its way 😀
