Creators

Discussion with Vanille about her music and nature

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Marie Charles Pelletier

Vanille is the project of Rachel Leblanc. Her music draws its inspiration from 60s folk and French chanson, with gentle melodies that that lull you into daydreams and send your thoughts sailing.t. Her songs, above all, are carried by her voice and lyrics, which transcend the music, evoking the twists and turns of the heart, dense forests, and afternoons spent sunbathing.. Just before summer bid its farewell, she spent some time at BESIDE Habitat. She took the opportunity to wander the trails and work on her next album, turning one of the rooms into a makeshift recording studio. We chatted with her about her short retreat in the woods.

BESIDE: What was your childhood like?
VANILLE: I had a warm and loving childhood. My parentsç brother and I had a very strong bond with my parents, who were extremely caring although they separated when we were still young. We did many activities together and I always felt they sought to create magical moments with us every time they saw us.

BESIDE: Have you always made music?
VANILLE: I started making music in high school when I was in the school band and played the saxophone! Haha! I learned guitar at the age of 15. My father showed me basic chords, and I learned lots of songs thanks to the internet. From there, I quickly wanted to compose my own pieces.
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BESIDE: What was the key moment of your artistic awakening?
VANILLE: I think it was in CÉGEP, around 17 or 18, when I had friends who made music. I realized that creating was accessible to everyone—you just had to do it.
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BESIDE: What inspires you daily?
VANILLE: I’m mostly inspired by the music I listen to (especially music from 60 years ago). I'm also passionate about cinema, and I often draw inspiration from films—their atmospheres as well as their artistic direction—to shape my aesthetic, both in sound and image.

BESIDE: What is your relationship with nature?
VANILLE: Nature has been very important to me on an artistic level, and particularly so with my latest album La clairière. I literally wrote songs inspired by my surroundings while I was living in the forest. Physically and mentally, I feel at my best and revitalized when I’m away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
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BESIDE: What does nature evoke or represent for you?
VANILLE: Nature for me is the whole in which I exist. It brings me back to the place I occupy in the world and in this highly complex universe. There’s something very soothing for me in the idea that I’m just passing through. At the same time, it gives me a sense of power, the desire to do things well while I can.

BESIDE: What came out of your time at BESIDE Habitat?
VANILLE: During the three days I spent at BESIDE Habitat, I was able to create new demos for my next album. My producer and I set up in one of the rooms, which we had turned into a makeshift recording studio. Our modest setup turned out to be perfect for our needs. The view of the trees definitely contributed to the inspiration.

BESIDE: What’s playing in your headphones these days?
VANILLE: These days, I’m listening a lot to Nancy Sinatra. I love her albums with Lee Hazlewood. It’s the kind of music that inspires my next compositions!

BESIDE: If you were a song, which one would you be?
VANILLE: I’d probably be a song by Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, like "God Only Knows." I want to be remembered! Haha! At the same time, maybe that song is too intense for my playful side!

Discover VANILLE's music here.