Artist of the Day | LAURIE LEBLANC
ARTIST OF THE DAY
13.02.2021
LAURIE LEBLANC
LOCATION
Bouctouche, NB, Canada
GENRE
Country
CURRENT MEMBERS
Ray Leger
Mike Porelle
Scott Delhunty
Etienne LeBlanc
With the current pandemic, the state of the music and touring industry has dramatically changed. Where were you when everything was brought to a halt?
We were ready to start our NB School Tour when we got the message that the tour was cancelled due to Covid-19. We were also in the final preparation for the release of my new album When It's Right It's Right scheduled for June 6, 2021.
How has that affected your plans for the coming year? Did you have a tour planned, upcoming album release?
We were just about to release my seventh album - my first English one - so we were targeting a new market.
The pandemic complicated everything. We started wondering if this was the right time for this new album.... but "When It's Right It's Right" - the album title made us go for it. Our first single was scheduled to be released April 7.... we did release it anyhow, but I don't think it received the attention it deserved. A lot of radios were short staff because of the pandemic, so it was hard to have my song on rotation, even though it was added to about 50 radios in Canada. Of course, this made us wonder about the release of the album which was scheduled for June 6, but again we decided to stick to the release date. We went ahead with the album launch at the empty Capitol Theatre for a virtual show, which turned out pretty good considering we had almost 30,000 views.
What have you been doing to fill/make the most of your new-found free time at home? How are you supporting your mental health through all of this?
Me and my wife Jeannette, whose also my manager, have our offices at home. With all the cancelled shows, we had more time to work on the business side of my music... we were concentrating more on the promotion, marketing, web site, social medias etc.. With the new album release, we were pretty busy.
After the album launched, I started to do little projects around the house : build a deck, landscape. We even built a family cabin in my father-in-law's land across from my home. We had more time to spend with our family. I learned to cook different dishes. We actually had a very good summer - our first summer off in over 25 years.
Right now, I'm working on the business side of the music and also my songwriting. I I took a songwriting course 'Write from the heart" with Lindsay Ell and Adam Roa. I read a lot of motivational books. I'm a strong believer that everything happens for a reason so I don't let the pandemic get to me. I just take it as an opportunity to spread my wings, learn new stuff, create, and just enjoy my free time.
How are dealing with the Covid second wave?
I'm taking it as an opportunity to create, learn, read, exercise, take care of myself and work on the business side of my musical career. In this music business, it's a never ending job. I keep myself busy with different task, marketing, promotion, songwriting, social medias etc...
Favourite Starlite Room Moment?
I haven't had the chance to visit the Starlite Room yet, but I'm so looking forward to having the opportunity to put my two feet in this historic building which was designed by Herbert Magoon and George Health MacDonald.
Do you have a message for everyone at home reading this?
Never Stop Dreaming! Find your passion, the things that excites you and just go for it. Happiness is all about doing what you love! Stay Safe!
If you would like to be our next ARTIST OF THE DAY please email us at:
JEN@CONCERTWORKS.CA
