For her second album, Léa Jarry wanted to return to the essence of her art. By freeing herself from all pressure and expectations, the singer rediscovered the “pure joy of creating” the 10 pieces from Like in old times.
“I remembered being ten years old and recording songs on a cassette, knowing no one would hear them. I wanted to rediscover the fun without pressure, that freedom that allows me to create something without thinking about the reception, about what people would think of it,” explains Léa Jarry over the phone.
At that age, she didn’t plan on pursuing a career in country music; Her house played jazz, pop and even rock music, including both Lynda Lemay and System of a Down. In short, her parents listened to “everything… except country,” she recalls with a laugh.
Thanks to Carrie Underwood
But chance would have it different. At age 15, when she tried to turn on The Simpsons on her family’s television, she stopped at a music channel. On screen, Carrie Underwood performed her hit “Jesus Take the Wheel” with all the passion we know from her. A new passion was immediately born in the teenager.
“It came for me. There was something different in his voice, in his energy, something I had never associated with country. I knew immediately that this was the kind of music I wanted to make,” recalls Léa Jarry.
So the young woman set out and released the album “L’heure d’été” for the first time three years ago, which was praised by the public and the industry. A nomination for Revelation of the Year at the ADISQ Gala helped propel his star both on tour and through the speakers of country fans. And today she returns with Comme avant, a collection of 10 new titles signed by her pen.
A balm for discomfort
In these pieces she will draw on various themes inspired both by her own life and by the confidences of her friends. It is one of them, for example, that inspired En attendant, a hymn to those women – and couples – who struggle to start a family. Another title (Porcelaine) is about toxic relationships that are characterized by psychological violence.
Léa Jarry hopes that her words can provide a balm to the worries and torments of those who can recognize themselves in them.
“When the songs are released, they are no longer mine. They are on their way. And if they manage to touch even one person, that is the greatest gift I can receive,” she says.
- The album Comme avant is currently available. Léa Jarry will present the pieces in an exhibition at the Lion d’Or in Montreal on Tuesday.