Silka Weil Overturns The Bad And Dreams Up The Good In Folk-Pop “Capsized” Single
Most artists fumble the first time they get into a studio. In the case of Montreal singer Silka Weil and her debut single, “Capsized,” she knocked it out of the park. Maybe that’s because the song dates to her days in her parent’s basement, and “polishing it into a finished piece of work has been like framing an old photograph,” she says. Maybe it’s because Weil has been singing since before she knew how to speak and has been playing guitar since she was nine years old; she was more than ready for her first close-up. Maybe it’s because the lyrics are deeply personal for her, about using art to unlock one’s inner potential, which Silka Weil has clearly done here.
Weil, who holds a BFA from Concordia University and a master’s degree in occupational therapy from Queen’s University, is passionate about the healing power of the arts. It’s an important part of her day job in the field of youth mental health. She says writing “Capsized” was “a salve for wounds I didn’t know I had until I gave myself the space to feel them. It finds a gap through negative self-talk to uncover what our deeper impulses point towards. That has always been the beauty of writing for me: discovering the hidden treasures inside ourselves.”
Silka Weil’s folksy pop-rock sound draws inspiration from vintage pop and contemporary artists, with a particular affection for late ’90s women such as Alanis Morissette, PJ Harvey, and Dido. A native Montrealer, she has performed around Canada in Banff, Kingston, and Montreal and abroad in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Her debut EP was produced by Jean-Sebastien Brault-Labbé, who has produced music for Gabrielle Papillon, Samuele, Matt Stern, Vamoise, Barnabé, and the Blue Seeds.
“‘Capsized’ is about the threat and promise of allowing ourselves to dream,” says Weil. “It addresses longing in many forms, for a relationship that is doomed to fail, or a future you could only imagine. I always felt there was a kind of grace to the song.”
Watch the video for “Capsized” below and learn more about Silka Weil via our mini-interview.
Care to introduce yourself?
My name is Silka Weil, and I am a Montreal musician. I’m a singer and a guitarist and have been active as a musician for several years. This is my first commercial release. I’ll be releasing another single this February, followed by my debut EP this April. By day I am an occupational therapist in youth mental health. I strongly believe in the healing power of the arts and love combining my skills as an artist with my work as an OT.
Tell us about the process of writing “Capsized.”
I wrote “Capsized” at a time in my life when old relationships were dissolving, and I was asking a lot of questions about what would come next for me. There’s definitely a time and place to clear out the old and welcome what’s next, and for me, that process brought out “Capsized.” Then, of course, there was the magic of bringing it to the studio to record, which was much fun and a great learning experience. To prepare, I made a playlist of songs with the sound I was looking for and brought it to my producer Jean-Sébastien Brault-Labbé. We collaborated, and he took all my ideas and magnified everything in the best way.
What’s it like being a musician in Montreal?
Montreal is a great city. It’s a very welcoming community, and you’re always likely to bump into someone you know! There’s so much cultural diversity and opportunities to perform and connect with others. Plus, there’s always a festival to check out, especially in the summertime.
Who was the first Canadian artist to blow you away?
Alanis Morrissette. I love her. She has such a powerful voice and distinctive lyrics in a style all her own. I recently watched a documentary featuring her called ‘Sensitive: the untold story.’ I am in awe of how honest she is about her own experiences and struggles. She’s a great example of someone who embraced themselves fully in a way that others can relate to.
You’ve been making music for a while now. What’s one piece of advice you can offer to those starting out?
Keep going! You’ll be amazed at your accomplishments if you believe in yourself. There’s always a next step to take, no matter how small. It makes a difference and brings you closer to your goal. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help. I asked around to find a producer and landed the best situation I could have hoped for. You have nothing to lose by trying.
Connect with Silka Weil:
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