The electro-pop trio will be performing the fourth show of their tour in town
‘Le Couleur’ hitting the stage in Gatineau
Djeneba Dosso
Montreal electro-pop band will be performing at Le Minotaure in Gatineau on November 25. The fourth show of their tour comes after the anticipated release of their newest studio album ‘Comme dans un penthouse,’ via Lisbon Lux Records. The trio who will be accompanied by three musicians notably a guitarist, a percussionist, and a keyboard player, has not been back in Gatineau since 2021 and anticipates their return to the city.
“Last time in Gatineau was very fun, that was during the pandemic, so people were not allowed to dance,” said Steeven Chouinard, member of Le Couleur. “We can be judgemental about Ottawa and Gatineau sometimes because they are corporate cities, but we’re always well-received and people there are very welcoming. It was a good party last time, so hopefully it’ll be the same when we play there again.”
Le Couleur has been together for a little over 14 years, banding in 2012 and releasing their first EP ‘Voyage Love’ in 2013. Describing their music as electro-pop with roots from multiple influences, their new eight-track project ‘Comme dans un penthouse’ follows the character of Barbara, “an assistant to a celebrity who has fallen from grace” which was first introduced in their 2016 debut album ‘P.O.P.’ ‘Comme dans un penthouse’ is a conceptual album, taking inspiration from the 90s film scene turning to classics such as ‘American Psycho’ and ‘Basic Instinct’ for inspiration.
“We wanted something very modern sonically. For the narrative, we’ve always been influenced by either movies, cinema, books, painting or objects,” Chouinard explained. “We’re really into 90s movies but we’re always looking to do something new. [This album] is powerful, it’s slick. I just love the idea and the aesthetic.”
Playing on the mystique and luxury of penthouses, the name of the project alludes to the mysterious nature of these types of homes and the people who reside in them, a trope often depicted in movies.
“You don’t really know what’s going on there and who lives there, but there’s always something mysterious going on. It [serves] as a headquarter for our main character Barbara.”
Always looking to the future, the band paired with NNS founder and creative director Nathan Nardin to release their first AI-generated music video for their album’s lead single ‘Addiction.’ The video which was released on Nov. 7 is a first of many collaborative projects with graphic designers.
Le Couleur who has shows until the end of the year is looking to “keep the band alive for as long as possible.”
“Of course, it would be great to play in those stadium in front of 50,000 people and be freaking rich, but I consider myself lucky to have this career,” said Chouinard, expressing gratitude towards his fans. “I’m happy with my friends—my bandmates and the music I make with them. My goal is to keep the band alive for another ten years, if we can, and being happy with our art and friendship.”
Photo caption: Montreal electro-pop trio ‘Le Couleur’ to perform in Gatineau for the first time since 2021 at Le Minotaure on November 25. Band members as pictured from left to right: Steeven Chouinard, Laurence Giroux-Do and Patrick Gosselin.