Émilie Daraîche was born into a music-loving family. The 32-year-old artist, daughter of Paul Daraîche and niece of country song queen Julie Daraîche, “wanted to sing.” The newspaper came up with the idea of a father-daughter get-together to talk music and highlight the release of 2e Emilie’s album, So what ?
Is country, or music in general, a Daraîches family affair?
“Music, yes, but even more country,” explains Paul Daraîche, 76 years old. My children have followed me into music since their early childhood. »
“I was a month old when I went on tour with my father,” adds Émilie. We played music at home all the time. I listened to Celine [Dion : Émilie a même un grand tatouage du visage de la chanteuse sur sa cuisse et l’inscription Céline sur un bras] On the mat I wanted to go more towards pop. But over time I found my little country people. »
I guess it’s impossible to do anything other than music when you have a last name like that?
“I dreamed of becoming a police officer,” reveals Émilie. Finally I followed the music. I wanted to sing. When I was 16, I started playing duets with my father during his performances. In 2020, Mario Pelchat – who I worked with as a technician on his shows for 16 years – came to me with an idea for an album; I didn’t believe him. But he thought I had gained experience and we released my first record of the same name. He also produced this new album. I also provide my version of his song Ailleurs. »
“Mario is one of the best producers I know and certainly the most honest,” adds Paul Daraîche, who says he has a future solo album in mind: “All the songs are written by myself!” »
Émilie, what are you most proud of from this new album?
“I fly with my own wings. The first was a business card. For this piece, I decided to take responsibility for my walks and covers that I listen to and enjoy singing – including “Bring me to your home” by Cindy Bédard and “And then?” by Adé and Simple Passenger by Marcel Martel. I’m proud that I managed to achieve what I wanted and see that my ideas were good – I wanted a very acoustic album, recorded as if it were a live show. I listen to it and I love it. He is more mature. »
How do we manage to take our place when our family is so famous?
“By coming in with a different color to reach people who don’t necessarily listen to country music like Julie’s or Dad’s. Let’s stay in family land, but in a different way: folk, sometimes bordering on pop and with lots of ballads. »
Émilie, what did your father teach you?
” Endurance. At 76 years old he is still working, he never stops. Also the love of the audience, he was always close to the people. »
And Paul, what does Émilie teach you?
“I think she’s hard-working, she practices all the time, she’s persistent, I think she’s good,” replies Paul Daraîche, who is listening to his daughter sing the piece My old friend (music by Kenny Rogers).
“We are the same,” says Émilie. We have the same personality, we are tough, we are night owls. We are two very emotional people and our patience is very limited (laughs). »
♦ The album So what ? by Émilie Daraîche is available on all platforms.
♦ Émilie, Paul and other members of the Daraîche family are part of the show Country Dynasty, homage to Julie Daraîche. With Mario Pelchat, Isabelle Boulay, Guylaine Tanguay and Maxime Landry. Premiering on September 14th at the Saint-Tite Western Festival, then on September 28th at the Cabaret du Casino de Montréal and on October 14th, 2023 at the Capitole de Québec.