Josee Allard

It`s Josee Allard, a singer from British Columbia, who opened for King Melrose at the Lion D`or Sept 24. With her folk songs and exceptional voice she won the hear of the audience. She sang many songs from her latest EP as well as a few covers. For one of her original compostitions she invited her good friend Elizabeth Blouin Brathwaite to come sing with her.

"Avec ses chansons folk et sa voix exceptionnelle, elle a su gagner le cœur de la foule présente!"

C’est la chanteuse, originaire de la Colombie-Britannique, Josée Allard, qui assumait la première partie de King Melrose au Lion D`or le 24 Sept. Avec ses chansons folk et sa voix exceptionnelle, elle a su gagner le cœur de la foule présente. Elle a interprété plusieurs de ses chansons qui sont sur son album en plus de quelques reprises. Pour une de ses compositions, elle a demandé à sa très bonne amie, Elizabeth Blouin-Brathwaite, de venir l’accompagner. - Karine Plourde Perreault, TempoMag (Montreal)

Upon getting on stage, the sweet singer songwriter seduces her audience with romantic folk songs. She is also energetic, has gusto and expresses it well with the songs from her latest EP "Day by day". When we listen to her voice we hear influences from greats such as Jewel, Sara McLachlan and Amanda Marshall. For one of her original compositions Josee invites her good friend Elizabeth Blouin-Brathwaite, daughter of the famous television music show host Normand Brathwaite, to come sing with her. This is followed by a cover of "Steal my Kisses" from Ben Harper, which she keeps similar to the original version and she is having a crazy amount of fun! Another interesting fact, her EP was produced by Pascal Dufour, past member of The Respectables.

"Josee a séduit le cœur du public par ses chansons folk romantiques"

Dès son entrée sur scène, la sympathique auteure-compositeure-interprète a séduit le cœur du public par ses chansons folk romantiques. Elle est énergique sur scène, elle a de quoi dans le ventre et l’exprime très bien avec les chansons de son maxi Day By Day. Quand on écoute sa voix, on ressent des influences de chanteuses appréciées comme Jewel, Sarah McLachlan ou Amanda Marshall. Pour une de ses compositions, l’artiste s’est fait plaisir et a invité Elizabeth Blouin-Brathwaite – la fille du célèbre animateur Normand Brathwaite – à venir chanter avec elle. Il y aussi sa reprise du classique de Ben Harper, Steal My Kisses, qui était joliment réinterprétée, quoique proche de l’originale. Mais quand même, on sentait qu’elle prenait un plaisir fou à la jouer. Fait intéressant, le projet de la femme a été réalisé par le guitariste Pascal Dufour, ex-membre des Respectables. - Serge Lariviere, Alternative Rock Press (Montreal)

I had the pleasure of meeting Josee Allard, a singer-songwriter that decided to lead a life between Montreal and New York. Her new CD "Day by Day" was released at Les Pas Sages in Montreal, where she generously performed for over an hour. Her voice is warm and sensual and she plays guitar and bass. She is accompanied on stage by her producer Pascal Dufour (who became known as guitarist for The Respectables) and Elizabeth Blouin-Brathwaite on percussions.
The CD "Day by Day" contains five original summery songs that make us feel good because they are delivered with rich harmonies and a joyous tone of voice. "Don't get bent", which has received airplay in Canada and the U.S. reminds us to let go and live in the present moment. The sensual tune "Chocolate" compares someone to chocolate melting on your tongue. Absolutely declicious! My favorites are "Day by Day" and "Sunshine Inn". We need more sun and Josee Allard has arrived just in time!

J’ai eu le plaisir de rencontrer Josée Allard, une auteure-compositeure-interprète qui a décidé de mener sa vie entre Montréal et New York. Le lancement de son CD intitulé DAY BY DAY avait lieu au Bar Les Pas Sages, sur la rue Rachel à Montréal où elle nous a offert un généreux spectacle d’une heure. Josée Allard chante d’une voix chaude et sensuelle en plus de jouer de la guitare et de la basse. Elle est accompagnée sur scène de Pascal Dufour (qui s’est fait connaitre comme guitariste des Respectables) et d' Élizabeth Blouin-Brathwaite aux percussions et à la voix.
L’album DAY BY DAY, contenant cinq pièces originales, me touche particulièrement, par son ton joyeux, par la voix et des harmonies riches qui évoquent l’été et un sentiment de bien-être. La pièce DON’T GET BENT, déjà diffusée à la radio au Québec et aux États-Unis, nous rappelle de lâcher prise et de profiter du moment présent. La sensuelle CHOCOLATE, écrite par Wynn Gogol, compare quelqu’un à du chocolat sur la langue. Délicieux certain! Mes coups de cœur: DAY BY DAY et SUNSHINE INN. On a besoin de soleil et Josée Allard est arrivée juste à temps! - Barbara Diab, Le Net Blues (Montreal)

A new voice has burst on the North Country music
scene: Canadian born transplant Josee Allard.

Josee is a singer/ songwriter and a good one. With
family roots in Quebec, via British Columbia, Ms.
Allard mixes a west coast attitude with a hint of a
French accent and lots of bubbly notes and crafty
lyrics. She’s not a folk singer, in the classic sense
of the word, and her newly released CD (this is her
third) mixes pop hooks and grooves with discreet
Jazz meanderings. Her voice is well up to the task of
delivering the songs confidently and joyously. Backing
music by producer Pascal Dufour embellishes
the entire recording and Elizabeth Blouin Brathwaite
helps out on percussions and vocals on last song,
Day by Day.

Leading off the recording is “Don’t Get Bent”,
a carefree daytrip to the west coast of Washington
State, and sets the tone for the whole CD. Like Allard
herself, the music is upbeat, friendly, fun. “Sunshine
Inn” follows suite, with more summer beach imagery.
The bridge is a winter lament, and then the summer
sun returns.

“Chocolate”, beginning with its delicate piano
intro, has the ingredients of a hit song. Were Ms.
Allard not only 30 years old, I‘d swear I heard this
song in a swanky Jekyll Island beachfront night club
35 years ago. Certainly has that sultry feel. “Friend”
is just plain a nice song.

The CD closes with the philosophical “Day By
Day”. On this song, as she does in her live performances,
Josee Allard welcomes the listener into her
private world. Maybe she’s too young to be cynical,
maybe it’s a deliberate stand to remain upbeat, but it
all leave you feeling good. My only complaint with
this CD is, with only five songs, it’s too short. Give
us more, Josee Allard.

Josee plays both sides of the border. Her booking
is handled by Marie Claude Meunier with mc
music agency at mcmeunier@agencemcmusic.com
CDs can be purchased through the artist’s website :
www.joseeallard.com

By Keith Gorgas, No Depression (New York) - Fourth Coast Magazine (Burlington, VT)

"Josee is like a female version of Jack Johnson" - DJ Dexter, 94.7 Hits FM (Montreal)

“The sun is shining for Josee Allard, her songs are like rays of joy...a name to look out for!" -Sabin Desmeules - Echo Vedettes, Montreal - Sabin Desmeules - Echo Vedettes (Montreal)

"Like Josee herself, the music is upbeat, friendly and fun!" - Keith Gorgas, No Depression (New York)

"Josee Allard has a warm, rich voice that touches on music described as feel good music".

Josée Allard possède une voix chaude et riche qui touche à la musique que l’on qualifie de « feel good music ». - Quebec Spot (Montreal)