Laurie LeBlanc

Laurie LeBlanc is one of Canada's rising country music stars, whose distinctive style has an East Coast Acadian flavour. A bilingual singer-songwriter, LeBlanc has performed extensively from coast to coast, and has also won numerous prestigious awards and honours.

A native of southeastern New Brunswick, this most decorated Acadian country singer, who has 8 albums to his credit, has been making a living from his passion since 2016.

What led you to become an artist?

It all started with singing and then creation came into play! I love the creativity, the evolution, the process from the first draft to the final product - the recording. I should also add that people's support has really motivated me to become the artist I am today and, above all, to be able to make a living from my art. It's all very well to love creating, but if no one's interested in what you do, it's hard to make a living as an artist.

The story of my journey:

Ever since I can remember, I've loved to sing, but my shy nature forced me to sing secretly until my early twenties. Thanks to my brother-in-law Pierre LeBlanc, I sang for the first time in front of an audience on July 22, 1995, at a family wedding. That's when I got the bug to sing, but nothing more.

From 1995 to 1999, I formed my first group, Interstate, with whom I sang only English-language covers. In 1998 I wrote my first song, Emma, in memory of my grandmother who had just passed away. The arrival of our local French-language radio station CJSE and the Congrès Mondial Acadien inspired me to start writing my own songs and singing in French. That's when I formed my second group, Zarico, with whom I recorded two French-language albums.

When the band disbanded, I still had a few compositions in my drawer, and it was in 2009 that I released my first single ‘La Pitoune’ as a solo artist. In 2010, I recorded my first album, and its success enabled me to record a second French-language album (2012), then a third English-language album in Nashville, TN (2013) and a fourth album, Noël (2014).

It was in 2015 that things got more serious with the release of my album ‘20’, which marked twenty years of music. With the exception of one cover, all the songs on this album were composed by myself and my partner Jeannette, who is also my manager. In 2016, the song Moi-itou Mojito on the album became the most downloaded song on iTunes Canada, thanks to Emilie Perreault and Paul Arcand from the show Puisqu'il faut se lever. It was then that I decided to launch a full-time musical career. Since then, we've created several songs in French and English.

How have your training and experiences helped you to create and innovate in your artistic practice?

Apart from a few short courses in writing and a few voice classes that I took later in my career, I learnt a lot from the experience I gained on stage with my musicians and with other music artists that I was lucky enough to meet and collaborate with.

The experience on the television stage has also been an important tool in my artistic practice, helping me to grow and get out of my comfort zone. I really enjoy evolving and thinking outside the box. I often take inspiration from big stars.

I must admit that we've taken several training courses with Music NB, the East Coast Music Association, the AAAPNB and so on. These have been an asset to both my artistic practice and our production company.

What stimulates you most about your work?

I have to say that I really enjoy the process: the writing, the composing, the recording and then singing my own compositions in public. The reward is seeing people connect with your songs.

What drives your creativity?

Creativity certainly begins with tranquility, but in my day-to-day life, music inspires me a lot.

How has living and working in New Brunswick helped and/or inspired you on your journey?

We live in Bouctouche, New Brunswick, in the heart of Acadie. My lyrics are often an expression of our Acadian accents and Chiac words, which gives me a unique style.

Living in a bilingual province has also allowed me to write and sing in both official languages, which allows me to expand my market.

What is the creative process like?

When I'm inspired, I take notes. Whether it's the title of a song, a melody, a text, a story, a hook or whatever. When the time comes to create, I start with the melody and the title, referring to my notes.

Why do you think it's important to make art and invest in an artistic process?

Firstly, I think it's important to do what you're passionate about.

Despite the obstacles of making music and making a living from your art, it's important to think about the opportunities. I've often heard people tell me that it's impossible to make a living from your art in a small community like Bouctouche, but I think that if you believe in it, anything is possible, and I'm proof that it is. My goal was to stay at home in Bouctouche and be able to make a living from music, myself and my wife Jeannette, who is my full-time manager, while living a comfortable and balanced life. Mission accomplished since 2016.

What have you learned about yourself and the New Brunswick arts community through your work?

I've learned that you always have to push yourself, that you have to get out of your comfort zone to evolve and stand out. You have to create, not copy! Creativity is the most rewarding, even if it's not the easiest or simplest direction.

The province's artistic music community is very strong. We have a good next generation, and they have to surpass us in evolution and go even further.

Our mission is to make a bigger leap than the previous generation, and then we pass the torch to the next generation, and they have to go even further than we did and then pass the torch to the next generation. It's a good way to have a bright future in the arts community.

In your opinion, what impact does the work of artists have in communities and in the province as a whole?

The impact is major! Music brings us together, relaxes us, inspires us, motivates us, reduces anxiety and much more. French music is an asset for keeping Acadie alive and our province bilingual.

Describe what you are most proud of in your career.

Making a living from my art!

Being able to make a living from music, me and my wife Jeannette, who is my full-time manager, at our home in Bouctouche, NB. It's really the ultimate gift to have gone for it and worked so hard.

I'm also very proud to have been able to inspire other artists.

What advice would you give to emerging artists?

Listen to your heart! Talent is often overestimated. You don't have to be the best, it's hard work, perseverance and desire that count. As my song says, always ‘Dream in Colour’.