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LIANNE LA HAVAS

I met with the Singer/Songwriter/Multi-instrumentalist in her tour bus, just hours before her evening performance in Montreal. She has already been nominated for the BBC’s Sound in 2012, and her debut album: “Is Your Love Big Enough?”awarded the title of iTunes Album the same year. During her sold out show at “La Sala Rossa” a venue on St-Laurent, we had to drag our chairs and tables, and stack them up against the wall so we could all gather around the stage. And were utterly smitten by her eloquence and astounding vocals: delicate and yet extremely powerful.

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TVM: How does it feel to twenty-three years old and to be touring your debut album?

Lianne: (Laughs) pretty great! It was my dream to do this. I’m living it. And it’s fantastic.

TVM: What do you enjoy most about your singing career?

Lianne: Probably the fact I get to see so much of the world. I wouldn’t have been able to travel this much had I chosen a different career path. So this is probably the best part: being able to travel around. Like I’ve always wanted to.

TVM: You studied Art. What made you pursue music full-time?

Lianne: I was always a bit more passionate about music. I love art and I love painting and making things. I like all aspects of the expressive arts. But when I left school, I discovered a whole different world of music. Just the fact I could express myself in other ways. So that’s what made me pursue music. Just to see what would happen.

TVM: Do you remember your first performance?

Lianne: Ever? Well, I don’t know. There’s been hundreds now (laughs). It was probably at school… Yes— I do remember it. It was in church during a Christmas choir solo. And I was so nervous, but I got over it. Then, everybody knew me in school for singing which I always wanted to be known for. So that was really cool.

TVM: Where did you get the confidence to perform on stage and in front of cameras?

Lianne: It’s been learned gradually over the years. Just to become more and more used to it and not afraid of it, and use it to be excited. It’s a weird thing to have to do, you know, to have to perform. You develop a kind of love for it. So that’s where I’m at now: where I’m happy to do it and excited to do it. I love it.

TVM: Do you prefer recording in the studio or performing live?

Lianne: I think I like them equally. I think writing is the most amazing experience. When you make a song you’re happy with, it’s like nothing else— the feeling of “getting a song”. I call it getting a song ‘cause I feel like they come from somewhere else. Like they’re already made and you just tap into it. It’s kind of special. So when you make one you’re like: Yes! That’s pure happiness. But when you play a really good show and express that music you’ve written for an audience— that’s another burst of happiness as well. I kind of see them in the same regard.

TVM: Going back to the live setting though, how much do you get from fans, and does it change the performance in any way?

Lianne: I think it does – Absolutely. When you’ve got a lot of appreciation from people, it just kind of makes you play better. When you know they like it, it’s very encouraging. It makes me feel very comfortable and makes me want to give them more, you know?

TVM: What kind of writer are you?

Lianne: I like to write ideas down just so I don’t forget them. Most people might carry a notebook around or write on their phone. Then I have to be on my own in a really quiet space,  so I can only think about the music. Or with a friend & collaborator or various collaborators. I have done the most work with Matt Hales, who produced the album with me. We wrote the majority of the songs together. If I’m with him then I can put my head down and work. Sometimes I’ll just be playing the guitar for hours and then think of something suddenly. Or while I’m doing other things. It just depends really.

TVM: Who wrote the line: “We all make mistakes, we do. I learned from you”?

Lianne: I (laughs). Well, initially I liked the way it was sung. I think it’s a very relatable phrase. And then I was playing guitar, Willie and me were playing guitar together; sitting face to face on these two sofas in this apartment in New York, Brooklyn. We were just riffing. We were playing for a while and I heard this melody: we all make mistakes… the nature of the lyrics for each verse seemed to go nicely with the sentiment. The song really is about decision making. Mistakes and decisions are very closely linked.

TVM: How would you describe your voice?

Lianne: My own voice? (Laughs) I never had to describe my own voice before. Well, depends what time of day it is. In the morning it’s very husky; it’s a bit more emotional. In the evenings or if I haven’t sung for a few days then it’s very clean and youthful (laughs). But I hope either way that it’s very expressive.

TVM: When do you think you sound your best?

Lianne: Technically, in the evening I can do all kinds of things— Acrobatics. In the morning I can do less. I’ll make sure I focus more on my strengths when it’s a limited range.

TVM: Have you ever done a morning show?

Lianne: Yes, many times. In Holland I had to get up at 5:30 one time and do a breakfast show at 6:30, and sing. So that wasn’t too friendly to the voice. If I just sing in the morning and then I don’t have to do anything else— the voice remains intact (laughs). But it’s a fine line. 

TVM: What kind of vocal warm ups do you do before and/or after a show?

Lianne: Before the show I like to sing with the whole band and we’ll all sing in harmony. I also like to hum really low just to open up if I haven’t done anything in the morning. And there are ways you can actually laugh to make sure you don’t strain your voice as well (laughs). Imagine how an opera singer would laugh.

TVM: Like this: Ha Ha Ha

Lianne: (Laughs) you kind of have to: Hé Hé Hé— you know? Laugh in your head voice as opposed to a chest voice, and then you’re not scraping at your throat. Or from your belly.

TVM: How would you describe your music?

Lianne: I would describe it as… there is this name for it. I can’t remember the name of the person who coined it as such. They called it Guitar R&B, which I quite like. It’s very soul and blues and jazz influence, but all delicately played on the electric guitar with finger-picking rhythms and strumming patterns. I distinguish myself by playing the electric guitar and singing: a clean, bluesy sound with soulful lyrics and vocals. That’s my sound (laughs).

TVM: Do you find what you eat affects your voice?

Lianne: I used to think about it more, but I think a lot of it is just placebo. I don’t think it really matters a lot of the time. I don’t like to eat just before going on stage. I don’t know if it really affects the voice— it’s rather feeling full on stage. It’s different for everyone. (Laughs) but I’ve done all that and it doesn’t matter.

TVM: What about what you drink?

Lianne: Um… water is a good idea. But it can make your voice too dry, actually. I find a little bit of sweetness in your drink makes it more lubricated. If you have that water that has the slight flavour to it then that’s nice for the voice. But just drinking water throughout the day is good. On stage I’d quite like to have something like white wine. Nothing fizzy otherwise you might burp on stage (laughs). Which isn’t good.

TVM: Has that ever happened?

Lianne: Yes (laughs). A few times, so I don’t have anything fizzy on stage anymore. White wine and water. I’ll drink them alternatively (laughs). It depends on the individual; I used to have whiskey.

TVM: What is your aim when you perform live?

Lianne: Well, not to fall over (laughs). Or do anything embarrassing. Overall, I want to just connect emotionally with the audience. I want them to feel as though they can relate to the songs. Or that they have made a new friend in me or with my band, which we normally achieve— I’m really happy about that. But that’s it really. To put across the appropriate emotions for each song and to annunciate the lyrics accurately so that people can know what I’m talking about (laughs).

TVM: In today’s competitive music industry, how important is social media?

Lianne: If you are into it and you have a big following, then it is important. But if you don’t really care about it and you don’t have anyone following you, then it’s not important. I think it is relative.

TVM: You have a pretty big following.

Lianne: Well I think… yeah (laughs). Now it’s big. I’m really surprised actually by the amount of people that are waiting on my every word (laughs). I like it though. I started my own Twitter and Facebook, my own Instagram and all those kind of things. I think they are fun; they’re fun to interact with your fans. But if you’re not that kind of artist, I don’t think it’s a big deal. I use them and I like to provide lots of information and witty banter. Just have fun with it; you mustn’t get too bogged down with it.

TVM: Are you currently working on a new project?

Lianne: Yes. There is very little time at the moment to focus on it, but once I finish touring I’ll take some time off to be in the studio.

TVM: What can we expect from you in the next five years?

Lianne: Well, I know where I hope to be, which I would love to have made maybe two or more albums in the next five years. Maybe three. I would love to have won some awards (laughs). I want to have seen more of the world, played in more countries and seen more amazing exciting stuff. Just to be doing the same thing— what I’m doing now really. Just to be making more music on the eternal quest for the perfect song (laughs).

TVM: What advice can you give to aspiring vocalists, both creatively and business-wise?

Lianne: Just make sure there are people around you who you trust. People who are willing to tell you when you are wrong. If you’ve got people around you who aren’t afraid to do that, then you’ll get more honest music out of it. Focus on the things that you like doing in your music.

TVM: Thank you so much, Lianne.  

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“Jephte Bastien: Crafting Cinema, Challenging Norms, and Championing Authentic Stories”

Jephte Bastien, a multifaceted director, producer, creator, and editor, has carved a unique path in the film industry. From his humble beginnings in Haiti to his groundbreaking work in cinema, Jephte’s journey is a testament to resilience, creativity, and an unyielding passion for storytelling. In a recent interview, Jephte shared insights into his life, inspirations, and the challenges he has faced as a filmmaker.

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Early Beginnings: A Childhood of Creativity

Jephte’s love for storytelling began in his childhood. Growing up in Haiti, he would cut out paper silhouettes, align them with thread, and use a flashlight to project characters onto a makeshift screen. This early form of shadow puppetry allowed him to mimic voices and create stories, laying the foundation for his future in filmmaking. Music also played a significant role in his upbringing. As the seventh of nine boys in a large Christian family, Jephte started singing in church at the age of five. His family’s tradition of entertaining one another—through poetry, singing, and dancing—fostered his creative spirit.

Haiti: A Source of Inspiration

Haiti holds a special place in Jephte’s heart. Despite the media’s often negative portrayal of the country, Jephte describes it as a paradise filled with vibrant culture, music, and natural beauty. His early memories of Haiti are filled with joy—playing games, eating mangoes straight from the trees, and forming lifelong friendships. When his family moved to Canada, Jephte struggled with homesickness and depression. Haiti became a recurring theme in his dreams, a place he would revisit mentally to find solace and inspiration. Even as an adult, he traveled back to Haiti frequently, using the trips to rejuvenate his creative energy.

The Church and Early Questions

Growing up in a religious household, Jephte was deeply involved in the church. However, he began to question the narratives he was taught, particularly the lack of representation of Black people in religious imagery. These early questions about identity and representation would later influence his work as a filmmaker. Jephte’s departure from the church was not a rejection of faith but a search for truth and authenticity in storytelling.

A Journey to New York and Beyond

Jephte’s pursuit of his passion led him to New York in the 1990s, where he studied theater despite his parents’ wishes for him to become a lawyer. This decision marked the beginning of his independent journey. He worked tirelessly to pay for his education, immersing himself in the arts and honing his craft. After returning to Montreal, Jephte faced the harsh realities of the film industry. Despite his talent, opportunities were scarce, especially for a Black filmmaker in the 90s. Determined to tell his own stories, Jephte enrolled in film school, where he began to develop his unique voice.

Breaking Barriers in Filmmaking

Jephte’s career is marked by a series of groundbreaking projects. One of his early successes was editing a music video for the song “Due to the Interest” by Garou. Despite the director’s inexperience, Jephte stepped in to manage the set, ensuring the project’s success. The video became a buzz clip, earning praise from industry heavyweights like Luc Plamondon. However, Jephte’s refusal to accept a $2,000 bonus from the director highlighted his commitment to integrity over financial gain.

In 2003, Jephte produced Haiti Through My Eye,” a docu-series that showcased Haiti’s rich culture and history. The project was a critical success and opened doors for future opportunities, including funding for his feature film Exit 67.” Despite the challenges of securing funding and navigating the industry’s systemic barriers, Jephte remained steadfast in his mission to tell authentic stories.

The Draft: A Powerful Vision

One of Jephte’s most ambitious projects is The Draft,” a film about a young Black hockey player whose dreams are shattered by a brutal act of racism. The story follows his journey as he mentors his younger brother, offering a new paradigm for success. Jephte describes “The Draft” as the most powerful film he has ever written, a project that challenges the status quo and highlights the resilience of marginalized communities.

However, the production of “The Draft” was not without its challenges. Jephte faced significant obstacles, including interference from unions and a lack of support from industry institutions, except Telefilm and Harold Greenberg Fund, who supported the project from the beginning. Despite these hurdles, he remained committed to the project, pouring his own resources and energy into bringing his vision to life.

The Struggles of an Independent Filmmaker

Jephte’s experiences shed light on the difficulties faced by independent filmmakers, particularly those from underrepresented communities. In Canada, the film industry is heavily reliant on government funding, which often comes with strict quotas and limitations. Jephte has faced numerous rejections and setbacks, including being blacklisted by medias after an interview. Despite these challenges, he continues to create, driven by his passion for storytelling and his desire to challenge societal norms.

A Legacy of Resilience

Jephte Bastien’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and creativity. From his early days in Haiti to his groundbreaking work in film, he has remained true to his vision, using his art to challenge stereotypes and inspire change. As he continues to work on “The Draft” and other projects, Jephte’s legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of representation and the enduring power of storytelling.

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Jephte Bastien: The Visionary Filmmaker Behind Exit 67 and The Draft

Whether through his portrayal of gritty urban landscapes or his exploration of the human spirit, Jephte Bastien continues to push the boundaries of cinema. As we await the premiere of The Draft, one thing is certain: Bastien’s journey as a filmmaker is just beginning, and the best is yet to come.

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Jephte Bastien, the award-winning filmmaker renowned for his gripping storytelling and raw cinematic style, is set to captivate audiences once again with his upcoming film, The Draft. Best known for his debut feature film Exit 67, which garnered critical acclaim and won numerous awards, Bastien has established himself as a powerful voice in the world of cinema.

From Haiti to Canada: A Unique Perspective

Born in Haiti and raised in Canada, Jephte Bastien brings a unique perspective to his work, combining the rich cultural heritage of his homeland with the multicultural influences of his upbringing in Montreal. This blend of experiences has given Bastien a distinctive voice in filmmaking, allowing him to explore complex themes of identity, belonging, and the immigrant experience with authenticity and nuance.

Breaking Ground with Exit 67

Bastien burst onto the scene with his first feature film, Exit 67. Released in 2010, the film tells the story of a young man named Jecko, who is caught between the world of street gangs and his desire for a better life. Drawing from his own experiences and the reality of many young immigrants in Montreal, Bastien crafted a gripping narrative that resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike. The film’s success earned Bastien a Genie Award, cementing his status as a filmmaker to watch.

The Draft: A New Chapter

With his latest project, The Draft, Bastien is poised to once again capture the imagination of viewers. While details about the plot remain under wraps, the film promises to explore themes of power, corruption, and the human condition—elements that have become hallmarks of Bastien’s work. Set against a backdrop of political intrigue and moral dilemmas, The Draft is expected to be another compelling addition to Bastien’s filmography.

A Filmmaker with a Mission

Beyond his artistic achievements, Jephte Bastien is a filmmaker with a mission. He aims to tell stories that reflect the realities of marginalized communities and challenge societal norms. His films often delve into difficult subjects, shedding light on issues such as crime, poverty, and the immigrant experience, all while maintaining a deep sense of humanity and hope.

Looking Ahead

As Jephte Bastien prepares for the release of The Draft, anticipation is building among fans and critics alike. With his track record of compelling storytelling and his commitment to exploring important social issues, Bastien is sure to deliver another thought-provoking film that will leave a lasting impact.

Whether through his portrayal of gritty urban landscapes or his exploration of the human spirit, Jephte Bastien continues to push the boundaries of cinema. As we await the premiere of The Draft, one thing is certain: Bastien’s journey as a filmmaker is just beginning, and the best is yet to come.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19799652

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3904454

https://www.instagram.com/the_draft_movie

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“Spark Davidson: The Visionary Behind Montreal’s R&B Revolution”

THIS IS THE TRUE STORY OF SPARK AND HIS HUSTLE THAT NEVER STOPS AND NEVER SLEEPS AS HIS DREAMS BECOME REALITIES AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THE BIGGEST HE CAN IMAGINE.

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Spark Davidson, a Montreal-based artist, has made significant contributions to the music industry since launching his professional career in 1995. At the age of 28, Spark began managing multiple music groups, including his own R&B ensemble, “Portfolio,” featuring three of Montreal’s most talented vocalists: Alan Prater, Chris Millington, and Danny Blanco. With his keen eye for talent and innovative management style, Spark quickly established Portfolio as a powerhouse in the R&B scene. Within a year, the group achieved remarkable success, consistently selling out performances and captivating audiences with their soulful harmonies and dynamic stage presence.

Spark’s strategic negotiations for Portfolio’s publishing and recording contracts in both Montreal and Los Angeles further solidified his reputation as a savvy music industry professional. His efforts culminated in the launch of his own music production label, “4indamorning,” which rapidly became a household name in Montreal. Under his guidance, “4indamorning” emerged as a pivotal force in the local music scene, known for its distinctive sound and dedication to nurturing emerging talent.

Beyond his work with Portfolio, Spark Davidson’s influence extended throughout Montreal’s music community. His commitment to innovation and excellence helped elevate the city’s R&B and hip-hop genres, setting a high standard for artistic expression and collaboration. Spark’s ability to fuse traditional R&B elements with contemporary influences showcased his versatility and deep understanding of the evolving music landscape.

Spark’s impact on the music industry is a testament to his passion, creativity, and determination. As a manager, producer, and artist, he has left an indelible mark on Montreal’s music scene, inspiring a new generation of musicians and contributing to the city’s vibrant cultural tapestry. His journey from a rising artist to a respected industry leader is a remarkable achievement, reflecting his dedication to music and his unwavering pursuit of artistic excellence.

His latest music project IT’S ABOUT TIME -DA 4AM MIXTAPE ALBUM is available NOW

https://www.4indamorning.com

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