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Mayday is the third LP by Montreal-based artist Myriam Gendron. It follows her earlier, critically acclaimed albums, Not So Deep As A Well (2014 – reissued last year on Todmorden-based label Basin Rock) and Ma délire – Songs of love, lost & found (2021).Prior to her debut album, Myriam’s primary musical focus was busking in Paris Metro stations, performing the songs of Leonard Cohen and others, accompanying herself on guitar. Through her day job, working at a Montreal bookstore, Myriam discovered the poems of American writer Dorothy Parker, who was better known for her cutting wit than her verse. Inspired by Parker’s words, Myriam wrote music to accompany a suite of them, then recorded the results in her bedroom. These recordings were issued as her debut LP, and continue to delight listeners who discover them, with their freshness, clarity and humour.
After a brief hiatus, Myriam began exploring the complex folk traditions of Quebec (and beyond), recording the second LP, Ma délire, which combines traditional and original songs (largely in French) with arrangements that make space for avant-garde musical interludes by such folks as guitarist Bill Nace (Body/Head) and renowned jazz percussionist Chris Corsano.
Mayday is an even more syncretic fusion of these elements. Most of the songs are original, in both English and French, and blend traditional and avant elements with abandon. Additional players this time include drummer Jim White (Dirty Three), guitarist Marisa Anderson, Montreal bassist Cédric Dind-Lavoie (a fellow fan of trad/avant dynamism), Bill Nace and saxophonist Zoh Amba (whose horn actually gets the final ‘word’). Mayday is a thoroughly thrilling effort that manages to create new vistas of sound while maintaining a feel that is both intimate and familiar. Beautiful work.
This show is a co-promotion between Hey! Manchester, the Trades Club and Basin Rock.
Price: £12 members/£14 adv
Info/tickets: https://www.heymanchester.com/myriam-gendron#info
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Hebden Bridge Trades Club, Hebden Bridge Little Theatre, Holme Street, Hebden Bridge, HX7 8EE, United Kingdom,Hebden Bridge, Luddenden Foot
