Pascale Paradis Releases New EP, Maison Candide
Singer-songwriter Pascale Paradis has unveiled her EP, Maison Candide.
Inspired by colours and her journey as a single woman in her thirties, Pascale Paradis released her debut EP in December 2017, entitled EP01, and a sophomore EP in June 2018, entitled EP02. Her debut full-length came to life in 2022, sporting the title L’amour ne tombe pas comme des mouches and offering a refined, modern, and authentic pop aesthetic.
The album was quite introspective and following its release, Paradis was eager for lightness, in both her personal life and her music. This is when she began to imagine Maison Candide. The word “Candide” portends a light and simple, but sincere and confident electro-pop sound that you can listen to with the wind in your face and the sun in your eyes. The word “Maison” echoes the return to a safe place, a landmark whose aesthetics evolve along with it.
Listen to Maison candide below and learn more about Pascale via our Five Questions With segment.
Care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Yes, certainly! I am a songwriter originally from Lac-St-Jean, Quebec, but currently based in Montreal. Alongside my work as a songwriter, I also serve as a booking agent for UNI musiqc and work as a music teacher. However, at the moment, I am employed as a remedial teacher at a specialized elementary school in Montreal, focusing on adaptation disorders.
My primary genre of music is French electro-pop, although I incorporate organic instruments and bass grooves to give my music a unique flavor. To bring my vision to life, I collaborate with incredible musicians. Since 2017, I have released two EPs under the stage name Lilac, along with numerous singles and covers of French songs. I am especially proud of my debut album titled L’amour ne tombe pas comme des mouches, which was released on June 17th, 2022.
Tell us a bit about your most recent release.
For Maison Candide, I wanted to commemorate the fifth year of this music project through my music. That’s why I decided to rearrange songs from my previous albums. Additionally, since I’ve made it a bit of a tradition to release a French song cover almost every year since the beginning, I thought it would be a good idea to include one in the song selection. I also didn’t want to release an extended play without a new original song.
That’s when I wrote “Mai,” a track that celebrates the vibrant vibes of spring, including the feelings of freedom, parties, flirting, heat, and nature. I carefully selected one song from EP01, another from EP02, and one from the album. Together with Guillaume Tondreau, my longtime producer, we transformed them into something completely different. As for the song cover, I chose the 90s Quebec classic “Soirs de scotch” by Luce Dufaut, as the lyrical inspiration was somewhat connected to “Mai.”
With this EP, I aimed to explore my love for electronic music, drawing inspiration from the end of the 90s music era and the beginning of the 2000s. I wanted to be more involved in the production process and create a “summer easy listening” album that captures the essence of the season.
Where do you tend to pull inspiration from when writing?
For my first album, I drew inspiration from a wide range of emotions and experiences I encountered during my 30s while navigating life as a single woman. It reflects the personal journey I undertook to find happiness within myself. Furthermore, the song titles are inspired by colors, which hold significant meaning in my personality.
After completing an album that delved into introspection, I wanted to explore a sense of lightness in my creative process. This artistic direction led me to embark on the creation of Maison Candide. The EP revolves around themes of spring, love, fun, danceable music, and letting go of the past. It encapsulates the essence of what I aimed to convey with this new project.
“Maison” symbolizes returning to a place of security and the freedom to explore, while “Candide” represents the lightness and freedom I sought to capture through my music.
Do you have any upcoming shows you’d like to tell us about?
Absolutely! I have some exciting shows coming up. Firstly, I will be opening for Roxane Bruneau on July 8th, 2023, at Alma’s Festirame 50th anniversary event. Following that, I will be presenting a full show at Le Café du Clocher on September 21st, also in Alma. Additionally, I will be performing at La Nuit des Temps in Chicoutimi, and more details about that will be announced soon. For further updates, you can follow me on social media.
What are your goals for 2023?
One of my main goals for 2023 is to collaborate with other artists. I believe that surrounding oneself with other creative minds helps to enhance one’s own abilities. I also plan to dedicate time to writing new songs, as I would love to see if another album can come to fruition. Lastly, I sincerely hope to have the opportunity to perform more live shows throughout the year.