During the pandemic, Sara Dufour experienced a small miracle: her album, released in April 2019, literally caught fire. “In 2021, it picked up again as if it had just been released. “It really sucks,” says the singer-songwriter, who on Friday releases “We’re Gonna Take a Walk?”, a new album of raw energy in which she discusses both her love for her mother and her return to the home speaking region.
Published at 1:21 am. Updated at 9:00 a.m.
The shows that have multiplied in Quebec, the ever larger stages, the opening acts of the Cowboys Fringants, France, the radio hits, the televisions… Sara Dufour takes advantage of every moment of this great, unexpected harvest that she has experienced “always a little “ sown since he left the École Nationale de la chanson de Granby 11 years ago.
I feel privileged. It’s like someone took me and said, “Look, it’s your turn.”
Sarah Dufour
The 39-year-old singer also likes to say that she stuck with a prediction her mother made to her before her death on March 30, 2021. “She said to me, ‘Sara, when I think about your career, I do.’ I see a big wave coming.” I replied, “Mom, make sure I go surfing.” »
Choose yourself again
Are you going for a walk? is a review album from the last few years, which she considers to be “more mature and vocally composed”. She talks about the journey she took, the challenges she faced and how she “made a new choice” by returning to the region.
“I left supplies lying around all over Quebec for 17 years. » This search has deeply motivated her in recent years and ended with the purchase of a house in the forest around Dolbeau-Mistassini, where she comes from.
This resulted in songs like J’m’en va dans l’bois or the amusing Maison frette – the house in question was actually a three-season chalet that was very frozen last winter. “I went to bed with my electric blanket on, the bottom of my bed was frozen, completely white, I could have used a scraper! »
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
Sarah Dufour
In interviews, the colorful girl from the lake wanders from anecdotes to digressions, all of which cannot possibly be told here. But let us reassure you: she has had her house insulated, which now has a wood stove.
Although she knows that her career does not allow her to be there full-time, this return to the region has given rise to decisions such as recording the album in Dolbeau-Mistassini. “We also did the photo shoot there. I couldn’t do half deals. Boots had to go the way. »
The musicians came to the lake twice for recording sessions, but she hadn’t sent them anything in advance. “I didn’t want them to practice trying to find a good line. I wanted the big basic frame, the visceral, the fun. »
Dany Placard, his “soul mate in words,” was once again his accomplice as writer and director. What does he bring her? “Simplicity. » The result is very rootsy, very direct – “We put the amplifiers on full blast, no effect, let’s go!” –, completely in the country-rock and slightly punk style of Sara Dufour.
But there are also sweet songs, like “My mother,” a moving tribute to his late mother.
My songs aren’t just about skidoos! I have songs that can also make you think.
Sarah Dufour
Historical
Of course, one of the incredible things that happened to Sara Dufour was the opening parties of the Cowboys Fringants. A relationship that has developed gradually since 2018, taking them to the Bell Center in November 2021 and then to the memorable Plains of Abraham concert during the Quebec Summer Festival this year.
“I wrote everything down on my phone so I never forget the details of those two days. » She remembers the heartbreaking cancellation on July 13th due to a storm, the media frenzy following the announcement that the shows were postponed until the 17th, and her state of mind that fateful evening. “I felt ready. I was on a mission, I was excited and calm at the same time. »
Around 60,000 people were already there when she took the stage, but she prefers to recount how Robert Charlebois, who sang after her, told her that she had impressed him. “Eille, Charlebois, a historical monument! » At the end of the Cowboys show, she sang “Merchant Marine” with them and then stayed on for “Shooting Stars.”
If anyone was there and didn’t cry that night… It’s the biggest moment of my career, with the biggest crowd. Sometimes I say to myself: What can top that? If there is nothing, that’s okay because I’m part of this historic music day in Quebec.
Sarah Dufour
For the future, Sara Dufour humbly wishes to remain in good health and maintain her energy, “two fundamental things” to continue doing this job. And she hopes that her album has a wider range, that we see the depth and not just the party side.
“The festive and dynamic aspect really connects me. It’s true, I like it, I bite, I’m like a horse waiting to run. But he also carries a vulnerability within him, he is softer and more tender. I hope this is noticed. »
Country rock
Are you going for a walk?
Sarah Dufour
Coyote Records