Montreal Singer-Songwriter Melissa Furlotte Shares Emotive Track “Virginia Creeper”
Melissa Furlotte is a singer, songwriter, composer, and pianist based in Montreal. Raised in the copper mining town of Murdochville, Quebec, in the picturesque region of the Gaspésie, she grew up playing piano, singing, and listening to a mix of popular, folk, country, and jazz music.
In 2021, Melissa released her debut album, Old Road. The collection of 10 original songs was inspired by the landscapes of her youth, adulthood in the big city, and the stories in between. Her style has been dubbed fine folk. Releasing Old Road with the support of the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Quebec was an experience of a lifetime. At the same time, it fostered a new desire to reach a larger audience.
Her latest track, “Virginia Creeper,” is the first in a new collection. The wistful single is played on by collaborator Joe Grass. The instrumentation includes a warm-toned antique converted player piano, recorded simultaneously to add to the song’s deeper meaning.
“It’s compelling to tell a human story through the relationship of a brick wall and a “tenacious vine,” even better when the music sets the scene; piano and guitar, cushioning chords and enveloping melody. Every layer has the relationship of two entities.” – Melissa Furlotte
First off care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Sure! I’m a singer, songwriter, and pianist based in Montreal. I’m originally from Murdochville, Quebec, a small, copper mining town in the scenic Gaspé peninsula.
I grew up taking piano lessons and singing. As kids, my brother and I would play 45’s. We’d dance in our basement and jump off the couches.
My big brother was an inspiration. He played guitar and wrote great songs.
I studied music in college and university. After graduating from Concordia, I stayed in Montreal doing everything from working retail, and playing corporate gigs, to accompanying, teaching piano, and coaching singers.
I started my own project a little later in life. It happened very organically.
I released my first album, Old Road in 2021.
Tell us a bit about your recent release.
“Virginia Creeper” was inspired by the view from my kitchen door. I liked watching the vine on the brick wall change with the seasons. I noticed that some of the bricks were breaking and the vine was holding them in place but it was also pulling them.
It reminded me of human relationships. I wanted to tell that story.
Musically, there’s a lot of duality to represent the vine and the brick wall, from the chord changes to the role of the piano and the guitar.
Joe Grass, was kind enough to lend his talents on guitar along with Mark Nelson on percussion and my friend, François Richard, recorded and produced the track.
I feel like “Virginia” represents me well, poetically and pianistically.
It’s a good one for the listeners to get to know me.
How do you typically go about the songwriting process? Do you have a specific method or creative routine that you follow?
My songwriting process varies from song to song. Sometimes, I find a sound that I gravitate towards, like a chord voicing and then I wait for the story to reveal itself to me. Sometimes, I reflect on an event or something I’ve lived and I hear music. Songwriting and composing is my way of dealing. It’s therapy.
I tend to get distracted easily so making a concrete time and having a dedicated space to sit at the piano is key to my process.
Looking ahead, what are your plans for supporting this new release? Are there any upcoming tours, music videos, or additional content that fans can look forward to in connection with this project?
Following up “Virginia Creeper,” I’ll release more singles, including a piano piece called November and an eventual album in 2025.
Looking forward to booking some shows this spring and summer. Shout out to all you bookers out there!
Looking back on your musical career, is there a particular moment or accomplishment that you consider a turning point or a highlight?
The turning point for me was writing Old Road.
It was my first completed song and it inspired the album of the same name. My life experience and musical experience just gelled. Looking back, it felt so natural.
Last but not least, it’s time to pay it forward, what upcoming band or artist would you recommend your fans check out?
I would recommend checking out two upcoming, empowered female artists who I love, Avery Jane and Kelly Elizabeth!