A double sided 1 page, with press quotes, pictures, discography, performing constellations and a Q/A format bio.
Vancouver and you could be the first to find out about her. Michelle Dumond is one of those music gems that gets discovered by some record producer. She is a correlating image of great Canadian female artists, strong and interesting vocals, multi-talented musician, and unique but compelling lyrics. Dumond can laugh at herself and fill her well-orchestrated songs with whimsy. So on a cold winter’s day in January, Dumond sat down and told me all about her musical inspirations and endeavors. Her debut collection The Me Shell is a storyteller’s songbook, and just like that ethereal being she is, we have discovered a pearl inside the shell.
How long have you been singing for?
What child doesn’t sing
Seeing the spring?
I began to “train” or rather, “untrain” my voice from its conditioned tensions in 2000 during a stint at Vancouver Film School. I continued with a number of teachers, Cinda Ann of the Voice Studio (Vancouver) and Kristin Linklater’s book Freeing the Natural Voice, most notably.
How did being in Yellowknife during your formative years affect your career?
Yellowknife is the nature connection, the silence of vast concrete-less space, not silent at all, really, but full of nature’s music, imprinted me deeply.
Now you’re in Vancouver. What’s the music scene like in Vancouver?
There are so many great songs coming out of this area! There are many levels to any given “scene”, the strata that I’m floating around in is full of beautiful musicians and uplifting songs.
Was making a CD a natural progression for you?
It seemed the only thing to do, really, with the songs. I was always moving towards recording a CD from the beginning of the musical journey; so, yes, a natural progression.
Tell me what the title of your CD, The Me Shell, besides a play on words, symbolizes?
I had never consciously sat down and said, “I’m going to write a song” or “I want to write songs”. Songs spontaneously began arising en masse in 2000. I see trickles of it in my childhood, little poems and ditties. My perception is that the songs happen, that they are like pearls floating within what I consider “me”. That makes me a shell of me, full of songs, which I see as pearls floating in the me, me, me sea.
Tell me why your songs are “revolutionary lullabies”, as you promote?
Our music has a harmonically rich, melodically strong, tapestral quality that is both stimulating (lyrically, energetically) and soothing. I felt that “revolutionary lullabies” conveys these contrasting moods.
Where do you get inspiration from for your unusual subject matter on your songs?
Anything that touches off a fire inside triggers a song. Or huge tracks of emotional life experience will suddenly coalesce into a song.
Is it easier to create the lyrics and then go to the piano and compose or vice versa?
Lyrics and melody come together, then I plunk out harmonies that feel right. Right harmonies always have a certain, “ah! That’s what I want to hear!” feeling.
Where do you want your music career to go?
Musically I want to keep growing and exploring, Indian music beckons strongly. I’m learning the cello, continuing to play with others. Wanting to tour and connect with people across the globe.
Who are your musical influences?
Right now? Django Reinhart and Stephane Grapelli, not that I play anything like that, but their music brings my feet and heart to life! Loving Yo-yo Ma’s Brazilian CD, Brazilian music in general. Deva Premal’s music, mantras, the presence she brings is incredibly inspiring. Karen Carpenter was my earliest vocal love, followed by Nina Simone.
You have a new EP out “Into Orbit” as Two Cosmic, tell me a little about that. . .
It’s actually not new, it was my first exploration into the recording world. Two Cosmic was a short-lived performing project which never released any CDs. Into Orbit was the first EP on my label, Fuzzy Records. Oh my goodness. It’s a little embarrassing to listen to some of it! Other parts are fun. It’s available digitally only now, itunes, Napster and the like, unless you’re desperate to have it, I can make a few copies!
What do you think is the biggest problem Canadians are facing today?
Individually taking responsibility for our use of plastics, overconsumption and personal stress levels.
What is you favourite Music? Artists? Songs?
Top songs:
1) The Game (Roch’s song, so amazingly amazing I can’t even think of intelligent adjectives)
2) Lucky are We (a new one of mine, hee hee, always so in love with the new ones)
3) Hope (Klatuu)
4) I, Me, Mine (George Harrison)- fun to play, so true.
5) Look At Me (John Lennon)- perfect lyric.
Michelle Dumond is a free-spirited gypsy musician with the soul of a jazz singer and the sexual playfulness of a burlesque performer. Bob Dylan would love her. Rufus Wainwright would drag her onstage with him. Leonard Cohen and Shakira would team up to adopt her. She has the musical skills to establish credibility with a more artsy crowd and the earthiness and humor to make her more accessible to people like me who just love music. She can convey all kinds of moods with that husky, alluring, commanding voice. She can sing the fun “Bathtub Rag” about soaking in the tub and suddenly fog up the bathroom mirror by crooning invitingly, “So take off your clothes and wet your toes.” She can handle a serious issue with a whimsical approach (the opener “Humanity”). She can also dim the lights, as she does in the middle of this CD, and turn into a classically-inspired dark gothic composer. “Sandra” and “Au Revoir” are orchestral tapestries of cello, piano, violin, and sweeping melodic drama. I could almost touch the sound – it’s burgundy velvet. After it flowed over me and left me very still, Dumond wisely ended on an up note with “Sick on Christmas,” a wry yet jingling tune. She can do anything. She can sing anything, play anything, and seduce anyone. Go ahead and give in.