By Emily Kemp, Special to the Review
Lucette’s soulful sound, a blend of country and dark pop has an unusual edge that Revelstokians will enjoy as she and her band kicks off our 2017 Summer Street Fest. The annual music in Grizzly Plaza is one of the highlights of Revelstoke’s summer for tourists and locals alike.
Lauren Gillis (Lucette) is currently working on recording her sophomore album, which is expected to released in the spring of 2018. It follows her 2014 debut album, Black Is the Color, a collection of haunting, folk songs.
The Review caught up with the Edmonton-based performer and found she’s a great fit for Revelstoke, fitting the local mold of loving the outdoors and her canine companion.
How do you describe your sound?
I draw inspiration from a lot of different styles of music, but I love a blend of authentic, clean sound, with new and fresh ideas. Me and my band have put together a really fun set for the festival. It’ll be a fun time.
What is the most exciting thing that has happened for you lately?
I have some exciting news — I will be releasing a single very soon! It is a duet with a friend out of Nashville, but I’ll keep the mystery rolling.
What’s been your biggest performance to date?
I look back fondly at every tour I’ve done for different reasons. Sometimes the smaller, more intimate shows are the best ones, but I am really proud to have opened for Grammy Award winner Sturgill Simpson on a run of dates. I also loved playing the beautiful Winspear in my hometown of Edmonton, opening for Current Swell.
Do you have any hobbies outside of your music that help you recharge and find inspiration?
Absolutely! I like to cook. I’m pretty food obsessed really. Basically I love to create. I think it helps because it’s using the same side of your brain. And lately, I love to take my dog through the trails in Edmonton; it’s absolutely gorgeous and worth it, even though my legs are covered in mosquito bites.
What is your most valued possession?
My dog. He is relatively new to my one-person family and we are truly best friends. Maybe you’ll get to meet him!
What particular song or musical passage never fails to move you?
In Ryan Adams’ Oh My Sweet Carolina, the line that reads, “Oh the sweetest winds, they blow across the south.” You don’t have to be southern to feel the loneliness in that line. We’ve all missed home.
How can people find you online?
Website lucettemusic.com, on Facebook at Lucettemusic and on Instagram @Lucettesings.
Lucette opens the Summer Street Festival in Grizzly Plaza this Saturday, June 24, from 6:30–9:30 p.m.