Few singers are privileged to experience the busiest summer of their careers more than 20 years after the release of their first project. Such is the case with Dumas, who will speak tonight in place of the National Assembly.
When Dumas released his self-titled debut album in 2001, the first film in the Shrek saga was released. The affected principal, who recently turned 44, says he’s back in the form of the good days of recent years.
“It was really cyclical,” he notes, explaining that his twenties were quite an intense rolling fire. “When you get into your 30s, you take the time to process everything you’ve been through,” he continues. “But there I’ve felt like I was in my twenties for a few years: in top form.”
20 years for The course of the days
The second project by the native of Victoriaville, Le cours des jours, celebrates its twentieth anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, and at the same time to thank his long-time supporters, Dumas will perform the entire album several times during his festival tour.
“The audience has always been so warm and generous, especially in Quebec, a place that’s a good place to play the entire album there,” he explains, assuring that newer pieces will also be presented.
“It’s a job you can learn”
Dumas believes his relationship with the audience during his shows has changed a lot over the course of his career. He remembers that as a young artist, when he was taking his first steps at festivals, he tried to see as many shows as possible. It is now advice he is giving to the next generation in the industry.
“It’s a job you can learn,” he says. “I say to younger people: go to the show, see how the artist moves, how he moves, how he interacts with the audience, how the energy is used,” he explains, comparing a show to a hockey game, ” you always have to adapt that.”