Singer-songwriter Arielle Soucy is visiting Yellowknife from Montreal this month for Folk on the Rocks.
Soucy, who sings in both English and French, said that since childhood, she’s “always had some kind of natural interest and ease in singing.”
“My mom was really into the crooners. Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble, Quebecois crooners too. So a lot of singers, like, singing. That’s the music I was playing– Celine Dion, Cher, all the big stars. And Disney movies too.”
Soucy’s favourite Disney movies? The Little Mermaid, for title character Ariel’s name, and 100 Dalmatians “because there’s no prince and princess and it’s awesome,” she said.
Soucy’s debut album, Il n’y a rien que je ne suis pas, features multi-layered vocals floating upon acoustic guitar and grand piano.
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Soucy told Cabin Radio her first inclination is to write lyrics in English, however, she hopes to continue flexing her French muscles musically.
“I feel like it’s very, very important to support French music in Montreal. It’s so easy to just make music in English.”
Soucy recorded her album in “a little trailer by the countryside.” She then brought it to Alexandre Larin at Break Glass Studios in Montreal for finishing touches.
The album, much like the rest of Soucy’s discography, is beautiful in its symplicity. There’s a rawness to her sound, a stripped-back, intimate composition reminiscent of classic acoustic folk music – think Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Joni Mitchell.
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Not only is Soucy’s sound inspired by this era, so is her visual aesthetic.
“I think it’s kind of the organic,” Soucy said of her vintage inspiration. “It’s not perfect. There’s some imperfection that I find actually way more beautiful.”
Soucy opens up Folk on the Rocks 2025 with a performance at Somba K’e Civic Plaza on Friday, July 18 from 12:15-1pm. She joins Cabin Radio at the Lakefront Stage on the following Saturday at 3:45pm.
Expect something “super chill, super calm,” Soucy said. “Usually in my set, I love to be interactive with the public.”
