Marie-Mai
Encyclopedia
Marie-Mai Bouchard also known as her stage name Marie-Mai, is a French Canadian
singer from Quebec
. She was initially known as one of the top finalists of the first season of the Quebec reality show Star Académie
.
lessons and also participated in musical theatre. Shortly, she began singing and her grandmother noticed her talent. In the following years, she would help Marie-Mai improve her singing abilities even further. At that time, her grandmother suggested to her that she audition for a new competition, Star Académie
. Prior to this, in 2001, she would start to perform in shows at Montreal
's Théâtre Musical in the Passion intense show.
She became a finalist in the 2003 edition, in which she was immediately noticed by her pop-rock style. She finished third behind Marie-Elaine Thibert
, the runner-up of the competition and Wilfred Le Bouthillier
, the eventual winner.
After the Star Académie tour that ended in 2004, she was part of Rent, a rock opera musical which was held at the Olympia Theatre in Montreal.
On July 1, 2009, Marie-Mai performed "Mentir" and "Emmène-Moi" for Canada Rocks The Capital held in Ottawa.
On February 28, 2010, she performed "Emmène-Moi" during the closing ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
On September 4, 2011, she married Fred St-Gelais
(also her producer) in Hawaii
. The couple were engaged since 2006.
Her debut album Inoxydable, produced by Fred St-Gelais
, was released on September 28, 2004. Over 120,000 albums were sold in Quebec alone while the album was released in France in 2006. Several singles had reached high in the Quebec charts including the songs "Il faut que tu t'en ailles" and "Encore une nuit" which reached the top of the Radio Énergie charts.
for four shows at the Olympia
in Paris
where several international acts made their mark at the landmark music hall. Additional stops in the European Tour included Switzerland
, Belgium
, Romania
and Russia
. In an interview with TVA's
correspondent in Paris, Claude Charron
, Marie-Mai mentioned she was thrilled about the experience and was amazed by the public reception in Paris. She also added that despite being a short experience each night (she opens with 30-minute performance), she enjoys every single moment of it and would stay there forever on the stage.
Her second album, Dangereuse Attraction (also produced by Fred St-Gelais
), was released in August 2007. She mentioned in the interview with Charron that she hopes for success similar to her debut album Inoxydable. The first song from her next album is "Qui prendra ma place" (Who Will Take My Place) and already reached number 1 in the Francophone Chart of Radio NRJ (formerly Radio Énergie). Marie-Mai mentions that her second album is much more personal than Inoxydable. Her song "Tôt Ou Tard" is a cover of Alexz Johnson's "Waste My Time" on the album Songs from Instant Star
. Over 80,000 albums were sold.
's songs "Kill the Lights," on Wake Up and Say Goodbye
, and "Je Repars," on The Mile End Sessions
.
She also provided guest vocals for Simple Plan's
new song "Jet Lag
" which is from their fourth album Get Your Heart On!
, released on June 21, 2011.
French Canadian
French Canadian or Francophone Canadian, , generally refers to the descendents of French colonists who arrived in New France in the 17th and 18th centuries...
singer from Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
. She was initially known as one of the top finalists of the first season of the Quebec reality show Star Académie
Star Académie
Star Académie is a Canadian reality TV series started in 2003, aimed primarily at the Quebec television audience, featuring an array of competing young women and men for the title of the best singer...
.
Profile/Background
As her father was also a musician, Marie-Mai began her interest in music in her early years when practising pianoPiano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
lessons and also participated in musical theatre. Shortly, she began singing and her grandmother noticed her talent. In the following years, she would help Marie-Mai improve her singing abilities even further. At that time, her grandmother suggested to her that she audition for a new competition, Star Académie
Star Académie
Star Académie is a Canadian reality TV series started in 2003, aimed primarily at the Quebec television audience, featuring an array of competing young women and men for the title of the best singer...
. Prior to this, in 2001, she would start to perform in shows at Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
's Théâtre Musical in the Passion intense show.
She became a finalist in the 2003 edition, in which she was immediately noticed by her pop-rock style. She finished third behind Marie-Elaine Thibert
Marie-Élaine Thibert
Marie-Élaine Thibert is a Quebec adult contemporary and pop singer. Thibert was first notable for being the runner-up in the first season of Star Académie in 2003, the Quebec singing idol reality show...
, the runner-up of the competition and Wilfred Le Bouthillier
Wilfred Le Bouthillier
Wilfred Le Bouthillier is an Acadian singer from the town of Tracadie-Sheila, New Brunswick and the winner of the 2003 edition of Star Académie, a Quebec reality show for aspiring singers.-Life:...
, the eventual winner.
After the Star Académie tour that ended in 2004, she was part of Rent, a rock opera musical which was held at the Olympia Theatre in Montreal.
On July 1, 2009, Marie-Mai performed "Mentir" and "Emmène-Moi" for Canada Rocks The Capital held in Ottawa.
On February 28, 2010, she performed "Emmène-Moi" during the closing ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
On September 4, 2011, she married Fred St-Gelais
Fred St-Gelais
Fred St-Gelais is a Canadian songwriter, television music composer, record producer and multi-instrumentalist, currently living in Montreal, Quebec.-Early work:...
(also her producer) in Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. The couple were engaged since 2006.
Debut album
Fred St-Gelais
Fred St-Gelais is a Canadian songwriter, television music composer, record producer and multi-instrumentalist, currently living in Montreal, Quebec.-Early work:...
, was released on September 28, 2004. Over 120,000 albums were sold in Quebec alone while the album was released in France in 2006. Several singles had reached high in the Quebec charts including the songs "Il faut que tu t'en ailles" and "Encore une nuit" which reached the top of the Radio Énergie charts.
European tour
In the fall of 2006, Marie-Mai had already reached the international stage, when she opened for GarouGarou (singer)
Garou , from the French expression "loup-garou", which means "werewolf" and is a transformation of "Garand", his last name; is a Canadian singer from Sherbrooke, Quebec. He is known for his work in the musical Notre-Dame de Paris and the #1 hits "Belle", "Seul", "Sous le vent", and "La Rivière de...
for four shows at the Olympia
Paris Olympia
The Olympia is a music hall in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. Located at No. 28, Boulevard des Capucines, its closest métro/RER stations are Madeleine, Opéra, Havre – Caumartin and Auber....
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
where several international acts made their mark at the landmark music hall. Additional stops in the European Tour included Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
and Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. In an interview with TVA's
TVA (TV network)
TVA is a privately owned French language television network in Canada. The network is currently owned by Groupe TVA Inc. , a publicly traded subsidiary of Quebecor Media...
correspondent in Paris, Claude Charron
Claude Charron
Claude Charron is a former CEGEP teacher, provincial politician, writer and broadcaster. He graduated from the Université de Montréal with a degree in political science. During 1969 and 1970 he taught at Cégep Édouard-Montpetit and the Cégep du Vieux Montréal.In 1970, Claude Charron entered...
, Marie-Mai mentioned she was thrilled about the experience and was amazed by the public reception in Paris. She also added that despite being a short experience each night (she opens with 30-minute performance), she enjoys every single moment of it and would stay there forever on the stage.
Second album
Fred St-Gelais
Fred St-Gelais is a Canadian songwriter, television music composer, record producer and multi-instrumentalist, currently living in Montreal, Quebec.-Early work:...
), was released in August 2007. She mentioned in the interview with Charron that she hopes for success similar to her debut album Inoxydable. The first song from her next album is "Qui prendra ma place" (Who Will Take My Place) and already reached number 1 in the Francophone Chart of Radio NRJ (formerly Radio Énergie). Marie-Mai mentions that her second album is much more personal than Inoxydable. Her song "Tôt Ou Tard" is a cover of Alexz Johnson's "Waste My Time" on the album Songs from Instant Star
Songs from Instant Star
Songs from Instant Star is the soundtrack for the first season of the television series Instant Star. The entire album is sung by Alexz Johnson, who portrays the show's protagonist Jude Harrison....
. Over 80,000 albums were sold.
Inoxydable (2004)
- Il faut que tu t'en ailles (You Have to Leave) (Marie-Mai, Fred St-GelaisFred St-GelaisFred St-Gelais is a Canadian songwriter, television music composer, record producer and multi-instrumentalist, currently living in Montreal, Quebec.-Early work:...
, Antoine Sicotte) - Inoxydable (Stainless) (Diane Cadieux, Fred St-Gelais)
- Tu t'en fous (You Don't Care) (Patrick Lafleur, Fred St-Gelais)
- En hiver (In Winter) (David Quilico)
- Tous les chemins (All the Roads) (Patrick Lafleur, Fred St-Gelais)
- Encore une nuit (One More Night) (Marie-Mai)
- Un million d'années (A Million Years) (Fred St-Gelais)
- Rien (Nothing) (Dave Richard/Marie-Mai, Fred St-Gelais)
- Take the money (Fred St-Gelais, Martin Rannou)
- Salaud! (Bastard!) (Luc PlamondonLuc PlamondonLuc Plamondon, OC, CQ is a French-Canadian lyricist.-Career:Plamondon has written for many artists, notably the Québécois singers Bruno Pelletier, Diane Dufresne, Robert Charlebois, Céline Dion, Ginette Reno, Fabienne Thibeault, Martine St. Clair, and Garou, as well as the French singers Julien...
/Romano Mussumara) - Entre mes mains (In My Hands) (Patrick Lafleur, Fred St-Gelais)
- Chanson pour hier et demain (Song for Yesterday and Tomorrow) (Fred St-Gelais)
- Seule à Montréal (Alone in Montreal) (Jean-Pierre Bouchard)
Dangereuse Attraction (2007)
- Mentir (Lying) (Marie-Mai, Fred St-GelaisFred St-GelaisFred St-Gelais is a Canadian songwriter, television music composer, record producer and multi-instrumentalist, currently living in Montreal, Quebec.-Early work:...
) - Emmène-Moi (Take Me Away) (Marie-Mai, Fred St-Gelais)
- Qui prendra ma place (Who Will Take My Place) (Marie-Mai, Fred St-Gelais)
- Avec Elle (With Her) (Marie-Mai, Fred St-Gelais)
- Tôt ou Tard (Sooner or Later) (Christopher WardChristopher WardChristopher Ward may refer to:* Christopher Ward , Canadian songwriter and broadcaster* Christopher Ward , British solicitor and Conservative Party politician...
, Rob WellsRob WellsRob Wells is a multi-platinum, award-winning producer/songwriter based in Toronto & Los Angeles.Wells has worked with Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Adam Lambert, Nick Lachey, Miranda Cosgrove, Mika, Backstreet Boys, Paloma Faith, Cyndi Lauper, Olivia Newton John, Daisy Dares You, Boyzone, Matt Dusk,...
, Marie-Mai, Fred St-Gelais) - Ici Maintenant (Here Now) (Ali Tompson, Luke McMasterLuke McMasterLuke Mcmaster is a Canadian singer, songwriter and musician.With a lifelong commitment to music, McMaster experienced early success as one half of a music duo from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, McMaster and James, named after McMaster and his performing partner, Rob James. Despite initial success,...
, Marie-Mai, Fred St-Gelais) - Dangereuse Attraction (Dangerous Attraction) (Marie-Mai, Fred St-Gelais)
- Encore (Again) (Marie-Mai, Fred St-Gelais)
- Mille Jours (A Thousand Days) (Marie-Mai)
- Cauchemar (Nightmare) (Marie-Mai, Fred St-Gelais)
- Elle Avance (She Advances) (Marie-Mai, Fred St-Gelais)
- Sous un ciel sombre (Beneath a Dark Sky) (Marie-Mai, Fred St-Gelais, Patrick Lafleur)
- La prochaine fois (Next Time) (Marie-Mai, Fred St-Gelais)
Version 3.0 (2009)
- Déja Loin (Already Far) (Marie-Mai, Fred St-GelaisFred St-GelaisFred St-Gelais is a Canadian songwriter, television music composer, record producer and multi-instrumentalist, currently living in Montreal, Quebec.-Early work:...
) - J'attendrai Mon Tour (I Will Wait My Turn) (Marie-Mai, Fred St-Gelais)
- C'est Moi (It's Me) (Marie-Mai, Fred St-Gelais)
- Garde Tes Larmes (Keep Your Tears) (Rob WellsRob WellsRob Wells is a multi-platinum, award-winning producer/songwriter based in Toronto & Los Angeles.Wells has worked with Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Adam Lambert, Nick Lachey, Miranda Cosgrove, Mika, Backstreet Boys, Paloma Faith, Cyndi Lauper, Olivia Newton John, Daisy Dares You, Boyzone, Matt Dusk,...
, Marie-Mai, Fred St-Gelais) - Secrets (Secrets) (Marie-Mai, Fred St-Gelais)
- Tout (Everything) (Marie-Mai, Fred St-Gelais)
- Pour Une Fois (For Once) (Marie-Mai, Fred St-Gelais)
- Comme Avant (Like Before) (Rob Wells, Marie-Mai, Fred St-Gelais)
- Plaisirs Amers (Bitter Pleasures) (Marie-Mai, Fred St-Gelais)
- Rebâtir Notre Histoire (Rebuilding Our History) (Marie-Mai, Fred St-Gelais)
- Tu L'emporte Sur Moi (You Win Over Me) (Marie-Mai, Fred St-Gelais)
- Do You (Marie-Mai, Fred St-Gelais)
Music videos
- Il faut que tu t'en ailles
- Tu t'en fous
- Encore une nuit
- Rien
- Emmène-Moi
- Mentir
- Qui prendra ma place
- Déja Loin
- C'est Moi
- Comme avant
Guest vocals
Marie-Mai provided guest vocals on David UsherDavid Usher
David Usher is a British-born Canadian singer-songwriter. Formerly the frontman for the alternative rock band Moist, he embarked on a solo career beginning in the late 1990s.-Biography:...
's songs "Kill the Lights," on Wake Up and Say Goodbye
Wake Up and Say Goodbye
Wake Up and Say Goodbye is the sixth album by solo artist David Usher, released on September 23, 2008. Was nominated for a Juno award in 2009 for "Pop Album of the Year".-Track listing:# "The River"# "We Are Wolves Here "# "And So We Run"...
, and "Je Repars," on The Mile End Sessions
The Mile End Sessions
The Mile End Sessions is the seventh album by solo artist David Usher. It was released on September 14, 2010 and is composed mostly of previously released songs re-recorded in acoustic arrangements...
.
She also provided guest vocals for Simple Plan's
Simple Plan
Simple Plan is a Canadian pop punk band from Montréal, Québec. The band has had no line up changes since its inception in 1999. Members are Pierre Bouvier , Jeff Stinco , Sébastien Lefebvre , David Desrosiers and Chuck Comeau...
new song "Jet Lag
Jet Lag (song)
"Jet Lag" a song performed by Canadian band Simple Plan. It was released on April 25, 2011 as the second single from their fourth studio album Get Your Heart On!...
" which is from their fourth album Get Your Heart On!
Get Your Heart On!
Get Your Heart On! is the fourth studio album by Canadian pop punk band Simple Plan, released on 21 June 2011. In some countries such as Australia and the Netherlands, the album was released on 17 June 2011. "Jet Lag" was released as the record's lead single on April 25 and a music video has been...
, released on June 21, 2011.