For the ex-winner of “OD” Trudy Simoneau, the third time was the good one: “I didn't want to know anything about the record companies”

UPDATE; DAY

“My album is called Go Solo because I thought to myself that this time no one is going to m stop or put a spoke in my wheels. I didn't want to hear anything from the record companies because I absolutely wanted it to happen.”

All singers on the planet dream of signing a contract with a major music label, but by reading what follows, you will understand why Trudy Simoneau, who makes music using only her first name, prefers to stay away from it.

The one Quebecers know best for her victory at OD South Africa, in 2019, and who was also one of the beauties of the show The Banker, had a hard time before realizing, at 30, her dream of presenting her songs to the public.

Spotted and signed at 18 to Corey Hart's Warner-affiliated label, she believed that it was was. But his mini-album concocted with the aim of seducing the English-Canadian market was never launched.

Tassee par Louane

A few years later late, after a stellar performance on The Voice, in France, the Quebec singer affixed her signature to the bottom of a contract with Mercury Records, a subsidiary of Universal Music.

She thought she was on her way to glory. Because of her country musical roots, we wanted to make her the “French Shania Twain”. Instead, she experienced a second disappointment.

“I recorded an entire album, shot big-budget clips, but my management team also represented Louane. She had just played in The Bélier familyand everything took off for her. With good reason, they bet everything on Louane”, relates the one who took the thing philosophically.

“I have met too many artists who have experienced similar things. Unfortunately, that happens a lot in the industry.”

Revenge with Connor Seidel

Under the circumstances, the release of Go Solo independently, last Friday, represents for Trudy a nice revenge after a musical journey strewn with pitfalls.

Preceded by excerpts < em>Shouldn't Have To, Memphis and Moving On, this country-folk album is the result of a partnership with Montreal's most in-demand producer, Connor Seidel (Charlotte Cardin, Half Moon Run, The Boulay Sisters and many others).

“Since Matt Holubowski's debut album, I have my eye on it. I dreamed of working with him. I took a chance and sent him guitar-vocal models,” says Trudy Simoneau.

But why him absolutely? “He is really good at understanding the essence of an artist and making it shine.”

Shine. Now that she doesn't have to wait for anyone, that's what Trudy wants.

She also said

About her album and her love for Kacey Musgraves

“When I started working in the studio with Connor, my main influence was Kacey Musgraves. Golden Hour is my favorite album ever. I listened to it nonstop while I was working on my album. The arrangements and the production, it's so good to listen to from start to finish. I may be a little less pop than her, but I recognize myself in the way she sings. I thought it was an interesting direction to explore.”

On trying his luck in Nashville

“Yeah, I feel like it. I don't know why, but I've always carried this American dream in my heart. Very early in my career, with Corey Hart, he had booked me a flight to Nashville. I went to meet him there and sang in front of him. It was my first step in the music industry, my first trip too. I always said to myself that I would like to go back there to make music.”

AboutDouble Occupancy and its aftermath

“It opened doors for me and established me as a singer-songwriter as soon as I got out. On the other hand, when you do a reality show like Double occupation, you are so disconnected from reality that it is very destabilizing when you come back to earth. The return to reality was super intense. It was not normal. I lived on Fleury Boulevard in Montreal and I was recognized everywhere. Everyone tells you it's included in these shows, but until you see it, you can't understand. Professionally, I didn't really know where to start, or how to go about it. If people who approached me tried to take advantage of the visibility of OD? Well yes, 100%. That's why it was important to let the dust settle. It's been three years since then. It was important to take the time to surround myself really well and to do things well.”