Quitting drinking was the best decision Simon McGrath made. France D'Amour's recruit The voice has brought new light into his life, allowing him to realize his dreams, the most important of which is becoming a rocker himself.
Ahead of his Blind Audition broadcast on Sunday, 32-year-old Quebec artist Charles Lafortune emotionally told his loved ones remained behind him despite his years of drinking.
“Singing Thomas Walker’s “Leave a Light On” allowed me to bring my personal journey full circle. Singing it in front of my parents and sister was very moving and touched hearts,” he told QMI Agency.
PHOTO BY BERTRAND EXERTIER, PROVIDED BY TVA
It must be said that Simon has worked in the catering industry, an environment that invites celebration, although he refuses to make hasty generalizations and lump all the artisans in this sector together.
Those with more astuteness may recognize him, as Simon was a semi-finalist in the first season of the Chefs de Bois competition. He had 15 years of experience in the catering industry and enjoyed this experience so much that he returned in the second version as a canteen attendant and companion for the excluded.
Get help
The self-described “ultra-intense,” hypersensitive and epicurean guy now wants to inspire people to seek help.
PHOTO BY BERTRAND EXERTIER, PROVIDED BY TVA
“I asked for psychological help and I'm still getting it. In the world we live in, it is important to have support to understand ourselves. I went to therapy two years ago to understand parts of myself that I didn't understand. All music is unlocked here. I've written about forty songs and done about fifty shows in the last year. A music video is about to be released.”
In his case, you had to “go through discomfort to feel comfortable.”
“I started using at a fairly young age and had a hypersensitive profile. I operated like this for several years until it became more and more problematic. Music is truly the unifying element that has led me to a healthy and pure life. My path is not perfect, but it is honest, vulnerable and that resonates with many people.”
“Addiction remains a daily challenge, but the time I used to spend on consumption I now spend on my creative projects. I surround myself with resources and tools that can help me do this. What I experience is magical. I’m enjoying the moment and enjoying it like rarely before.”
Multiple projects
Simon McGrath manages several projects at the same time. In addition to music, he founded a company, FoodCost, to help restaurateurs become better managers and increase their profit margins.
PHOTO BY BERTRAND EXERTIER, PROVIDED BY TVA
“It is my current livelihood and I want to use this company to finance my musical projects because the music industry is not that easy,” he said.
He also wants to share his journey with as many people as possible, has signed a deal with Universal and is offering pieces on his website. He will use the La Voix platform to invite people to his Briller conference, which will also take place in English.
Simon, who has dropped “Martel” from his last name to make it easier to assert himself internationally – he dreams of it – also wants to convince his father, the chef and gastronomy consultant Mario Martel, to try his luck at La Voice next year. “He really has a great voice,” he revealed.
We are now wondering if Simon would like to take part in another show after “La Voix” and “Chefs de bois”. Maybe get me out of here!?
YOU WILL PARTICIPATE IN SEASON 10 OF THE VOICE
Roxane Bruneau team
Chadé Losane, 27, of Quebec
Redge Olibrice, 28, of Montreal
Corneille team
Bryan Alexandre-Melo, 20 years old, from Laval
Lee-Anne Bergevin, 26, of Montreal
Team France D'amour
Alexis Bouchard-Leblond, 23, of Quebec
Simon McGrath, 32, of Quebec
Ally Neah, 24, of Montreal
Mario Pelchat team
Camille Schlybeurt, 18 years old, from Prévost