Montreal-based GRAMMY Award-nominated vocalist, songwriter, and producer Malika Tirolien has unveiled her new genre-minting single, “RISE”.
“This song is the celebration of change through unity and revolution,” Tirolien says. “It is the realization that we are living a historical moment: the rise of humanity’s consciousness and power.”
At first play, Tirolien’s soaring voice and conscious lyrics immediately set the stage for her forthcoming sophomore release — the second in her tetralogy marking the elements of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water — HIGHER.
Check out “RISE” below and find out more about Malika via our Five Questions With segment.
Care to introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Malika Tirolien and I am a singer, songwriter and producer. Montreal based, I am from Guadeloupe and have been an artist since I was in my mother’s womb (at least that is what my dad says lol).
Tell us a bit about your music and writing style.
I am a part of several bands and projects so it depends.
Per example, with Bokanté, an international Grammy-nominated band that I co-lead with Michael League (Snarky Puppy), the music is considered as “world” but to us, it is a mix of blues, Guadeloupean rhythms, West African rhythms and Turkish/Moroccan influences. Bokanté has released two albums since Michael founded it in 2016 and the writing process for these two albums have pretty much been Michael and I writing the songs together by email or if we were lucky, on the same room.
We have a third album on the way and we are approaching the writing process differently as this time, the 8 members of the band are sharing their musical ideas.
With my upcoming second solo album that is a part of a tetralogy, my team and I are pushing a new genre called “HighSoul” that is a mix of R&B, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Soul. The first single ‘RISE’ is an example of what we are going for.
In terms of writing, I wrote some of the songs entirely, some others are collaborations with artists such as Bled Miki, Meryem Saci or Fredy V, and more.
Do you have any upcoming shows? For someone who has yet to see you live, how would you explain your live performance?
Yes, I have some shows coming up in November (if they don’t get postponed like they have been for the last 8 months lol).
They are happening with a third band very dear to my heart: saxophone sensation Jacques Schwarz-Bart’s new project ‘Soné Ka La 2’ (Album coming out October 16th)!
In this band, I sing the melodies that Jacques wrote in unison with the saxophone and sometimes harmonizing it. It is a really cool project and I like the music and the band’s vibe a lot because it makes me feel like I’m home (we are in majority from Guadeloupe and Martinique in the band).
That is a difficult question, as my show is perceived by people in ways that I probably did not think of.
But I make music for people to be empowered, full of strength and motivation, and to be inspired and touched. I want them to feel something, I want them to think and of course, I want them to enjoy the moment.
If you were asked to suggest only one of your songs for someone to hear, which would it be?
Can it be 2? Lol
‘Oliassa’ from my debut album Sur La Voie Ensoleillée and ‘Héritier’ from Bokanté’s first album Strange Circles.
Canadian Beats is all about Canadian music, so who are your current favourite Canadian bands/artists?
That is such a hard question cause Canada is FULL of amazing talents.
Here are some of my favourite Canadian artists: HAWA, AIZA, Meryem Saci, Vox Sambou, Fredy V, and Waahli.