INTERVIEW: Chic Gamine's Andrina Turenne

Alexa Dirks and fellow Chic Gamine vocalist Andrina Turenne, somewhere in Montreal's Mile End. 

The Montreal/Winnipeg based quintet of Chic Gamine has a new album hot and ready to hit the shelves, so I linked up via e-mail with Andrina Turenne, one of four vocalists in the group, which is currently touring Alaska. Here's what she had to say: 

How's the tour going in Alaska? See any crazy stuff? GRIZZLY BEARS??????

The touring has been really great so far. We've played a show every night since our arrival (4) and have done a couple workshops in high schools. Today is our first day off, we're gonna go to the Chena hotsprings I think. One of the presenters is also having us over for dinner later. The people we've met are amazing and so welcoming. We haven't seen any grizzlies yet but the land here is simply breathtaking as the leaves are turning red, orange and yellow and the sky is clear and sunny. Alaska in the fall is exploding our hearts.

Otherwise, How's the band doing? You guys seem so busy all the time we never get to catch up.

The band is doing great. We've been working on the new record for roughly a year now, so we're really excited for the big release, Oct 12th in Montreal. The release show will be Oct 13th at Club Soda! We can't wait. We've had a busy year playing the Olympics, taping some tv shows in Montreal, playing for the Queen, doing the TRC event in Winnipeg, going to California and Kansas and touring around the Great Lakes... we're very grateful for what we do and where it takes us. It's a constant adventure.

How's the new album going to sound compared to 2008's self titled debut?

Well, it's been 3 years now since the start of Chic Gamine. The first record was made 3 months in and the second after 2.5 years of touring and playing together. Needless to say, our sound has matured and we've grown into it. On "City City", we introduced new elements such as keyboard bass and (on the title track) drum sequencing. We wanted the freedom to record each song as we heard it without limiting ourselves to what people were used to. The songwriting leans towards an urban feel this time around while the first record maybe had more world elements. I think any record is a reflection of where a band/artist is at the time, and it's no different for us. Who knows what the next one will sound like.

You guys have managed to win the accolades from all sectors of the industry including a 2009 Juno win. How important is it for Chic Gamine to remain independant of a "strings attached" record label relationship and stay 100% in control of their business?

Everyone in the band has a role on the business side of things and and we work well as a team. We really like the fact that we run our own band and business (with the support of our manager and agents of course). It allows us all the freedom to choose who we work with, how we make our music, how we present ourselves and how we grow. This is important to us because we want to build a long-lasting career where each of us is happy and fulfilled on and off the road. It's a challenging life as it is, we don't want anything imposed on us that we're not comfortable with. This being said, we're not adamant about remaining independent forever. It's just what has felt right for us from the start. If a great offer came along that suited our needs and vision, we'd definitely consider it.

While everyone is trying to move to Montreal, what made you, Andrina Turenne, change your mind and move back to Winnipeg from Montreal after only a few years?

I was in Montreal for 2 years. I moved there because I wanted the adventure and the experience. Of all the Canadian cities, I knew long ago that I wanted to live there at some point in my life. I had a great time and I love Montreal very much (especially Marché Jean-Talon at harvest time!). Truth is, my heart is a prairie heart. I missed the skies, the woods, the smell of fall, the twinkle of winter... I also wanted to be closer to my family and friends. Being on the road so much, it's nice to be home when it's time to go home, you know?


Any new music you've been digging lately?

I was just turned onto Aloe Blacc recently. Wow, how did I not know about him until now? I've been a fan of Stone's Throw Records for a while, so I'm surprised I never came across it before... but hey, it happens. He's got a great voice and is like a Bill Withers/Isaac Hayes/Donny Hathaway hybrid. haha. Love it.


What was the highlight of your summer?

We played the Montreal Jazzfest on Canada Day and that was probably one of my favorite shows of all time. The crowd was amazing, the weather was awesome and we were on a huge stage. We played once at 8, then again at 10. Playing twice is the best because you get to tweak all the things that didn't go so well the first time and rock out full confidence the second. We dialed it in and it was such a high. I'll never forget those shows.


What's next for Chic Gamine?

The road is long my friend! haha. I guess what's next is launching the new record and seeing how people react to it. Our life is a constant adventure. We have a vision and a plan, but it's constantly changing as new opportunities present themselves. It's all about assessing the risks and taking chances. That's our philosophy anyways, let's see where it takes us...

Awesome. 

Catch the CD release parties of City City in Winnipeg November 13th at the WECC and October 13th at Club Soda in Montreal ( << I'll be there)!