Véronique Bilodeau

Never mind just another talented jeune Québécoise, here's yet another talented graduate from the École Nationale de la Chanson de Granby...

Hailing from the Bas-du-Fleuve region of Québec, 20-year old singer-songwriter Véronique Bilodeau has already made a pretty big impression - winner of the Prix CALQ (sponsored by the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec - natch) at the 2013 National Cégeps en Spectacle (for students attending a Collège d'enseignement général et professionnel - General and Vocational College in Québec - don't sniff, artists of the calibre of Isabelle Boulay, Ariane Moffatt and indie-rock band Karkwa got their early breaks here); she walked away with a shed-load of prizes and critical acclaim at that year's Tremplin de Dégelis ("Springboard" festival of Dégelis - previous winners include a certain Klô Pelgag); was a quarter-finalist at this year's Ma première place des arts and now for good measure will be appearing at the prestigious FrancoFolies de Montréal in June.

The single, "Sans les mots", available from Véronique's Bandcamp page is a seemingly effortless and achingly-beautiful folk-tinged romantic ballad that touches on that telepathic relationship that couples share... However, this song really stands out as Véronique poses the  most confident, soaring yet velvety-smooth voice and the harmonies alongside backing-singers Marie-Claudel Chénard and Sandy Grenier (whom herself has released an EP, "La Fille en Mauve", that is in my sights) are faultless. The composition's arrangement is incredibly well balanced with a melodic acoustic guitar and piano accompaniment brilliantly fleshed out with accordion and double-bass.

This is the kind of song that just makes you want to find out much more about an artist - there's apparently an EP released last year that has sadly long since vanished in to cyberspace. Fortunately there are several videos available via YouTube, including "Les chapeux" (clip below) that highlights the fact that asides from appearing frighteningly confident and self-assured, Véronique not only has a keen ear for a delightful folk-tinged pop-song, but that she can turn her hand to up-tempo "chansons" with ease...

Hopefully Véronique Bilodeau will attract the attention of a label or two (and yes you know who you are) and land a recording contract. 

Here is an artist that deserves to be heard by a wider audience.

Véronique Bilodeau "Sans le mots" (via Bandamp)
Véronique Bilodeau Website (check out her honest and forthright blog!)