Together they combine half a century of music careers. Together they are like sisters who know everything about each other. Mara Tremblay and Catherine Durand have given each other a gift: to form a folk duo inspired by great freedom, evolving in joy and friendship.
“At 50 we don’t have to prove anything anymore, our ‘tracks’ are done. We’ve lived in the music world on our side for 25 years, often difficult times, so we can now turn to another book,” explains Mara Tremblay, now 54 years old.
It took Mara Tremblay three years to convince her great friend Catherine Durand, 51, to tackle their duo project. In fact, after quite a dark period, the Whatever singer didn’t believe she could write anymore.
A long pandemic and a record later (The Orphan House, her eighth career effort, was finally released last October), she accepted Mara to send her a first song; or rather, a few “guitar riffs” that got her hooked right away.
“We quickly saw that it was possible,” explains Catherine Durand, who has also become the producer of Hauterive under her KatMusik label.
“It’s an album that we wanted to make in simplicity,” they continue. We love country folk americana music. We wanted to work towards that, feel free and have fun. Basically, it’s the friendship that comes from it, and the complicity. »
Hauterive – the duet and album with folk accents of old Americana – pays homage to Mara’s birthplace, which has been renamed Baie-Comeau. It refers to the beautiful north coast, to the sea and to the freedom that the offshore wind offers.
Back to basics
It is said that this record was created with respect and honesty. It contains seven original tracks in French (the first three excerpts of which were released before the official release: Aller-retour, Le temps d’avance and Dolly) and two covers, including a very cute version of Woman in Love by Barbra Streisand.
“Because why not?” says Catherine Durand, who has been producing her own albums since 2004, with a smile.
“We wanted to go organic and embody the essence of Country Americana. A microphone, music, lyrics, do we really need more? adds Mara Tremblay, who released her debut solo album, Le Chihuahua, in 1999.
The two artists say they complement each other so much because they share a mutual admiration. Mara feeds on her friend’s calm and gentleness, while Catherine praises the “small edgy side”, freedom and beautiful impulsiveness that her Mara brings to her.
“A Little Theatricality”
Even those who met while participating in the Tous les filles series of shows in 2005 feel the urgency of the performance.
For this eponymous album, the couple promises an easy tour “with a little theatrics,” assure the friends, who also share the same sense of humor.
“When you’re 20 you want everything right away, but by 50 you’re in for sweetness,” says bride-to-be Mara Tremblay, who admits she’s calmed down over the years. “This duo project is a dream come true. »
♦ Hauterive’s album of the same name can be found on all platforms.