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The Globe and Mail calls his performance "mesmerizing and evocative". The Georgia Strait… "soulful" and The Guardian describes it as "dynamic….high energy…fun". Lennie Gallant takes his audience on a journey that encompasses a broad spectrum of imagery and emotion.
As an entertainer, Gallant's intense emotional
delivery reaches down to the very soul of this audience, moving
effortlessly through stirring narratives, comic observations and hard
driving rhythms. Already a household name in Atlantic Canada,
Gallant is gaining more and more attention abroad. "We’ve been used to welcoming visitors from Canada’s east coast in recent years. The biggest impression of all, though, could be the one Lennie Gallant makes when word about him reaches beyond the dedicated seekers of transatlantic talent who investigated this Scottish debut."
The Herald- Glasgow, Scotland
A native of Prince Edward Island, Lennie's music has taken him to all corners of the world. From the UK, France, Guatemala and the Middle East. His passion for intensive life experiences is reflected in the dramatic scenarios of his songs. Gallant’s writing is real - authentic. It has poetic lyricism that deals with issues of people's struggles, heartache and dreams. He has shared the stage with artists as diverse as
Ry Cooder, Natalie MacMaster, Roger Hodgson (Supertramp), Celine Dion, and
Ron Sexsmith. His sold out Millennium New Years Eve concerts were
beamed to more than 2.5 billion people in 60 countries by Newsworld's
world wide coverage. "Our northern neighbor has given us some of the best writers living today. You can add Lennie Gallant to the list." Gallant has toured extensively building a strong and loyal fan base. He's played to sold-out shows accompanied by symphonies, rock bands and in acoustic settings. At the prestigious Kerrville Songwriting Festival in Texas, he received two standing ovations and an on-stage invitation to return the following year. Lennie appears regularly on radio and television and his award winning videos have been in heavy rotation on Much More Music, Much Music and CMT.
Multi-platinum artist, Jimmy Buffett, will record Gallant’s Mademoiselle Voulez Vous Danser. Buffett’s new album, The Far Side of the World, is scheduled for release March 2002. Gallant’s songwriting is fast gaining international attention and recognition, with artists in Europe, Australia, and the U.S. as well as Canada covering his works in both English and French. Gallant says: "I love performing my work, but I get a special high when I hear someone do a great job on one of my songs. I’m really looking forward to hearing Buffett’s version". Gallant was in London, England for the 50th Anniversary of the Maple Leaf Ball in March 2002. This prestigious event is one of the largest Canadian gatherings of the year in the U.K. and honored several prominent Canadians, including Anne MacMillan, London Bureau Chief of the CBC, classical musician Angela Hewitt and Gordon Pinsent, who was also attending the London Premiere of The Shipping News. Lennie Gallant was recently in Montreal where he signed a recording contract with TACCA Music Group, the French arm of the Donald K. Donald Music Group. Gallant has re-embraced his Acadian roots, and recently recorded an album of his music in French, entitled Le Vent Boheme. The album is all in French and is all original material. This album will be released Spring 2002. |
Hi Lennie! Thanks for allowing us to do an interview with you for The Canadian Celtic Music Website Artist Spotlight.
What is the "Lennie Gallant" history?
Where were you born? What got you started in music?
Born - Rustico PEI. First guitar at 13 –Christmas gift. Played in multitude of bands, duos etc. Started couple of Celtic bands as well as folk and rock stuff. Found uncle’s Bob Dylan record collection, and as the man said, ‘I’ve never looked back.’ Released first solo album in 1988 and have released 5 in total. For someone who is new to your music, how would you describe it?
Do you have any other musicians in your family? Are your parents musical? Siblings? My Mom and Dad both sing and my brother Danny plays guitar and sings in a band "Big Tilda". I have sisters-in-law who play and I think all my brothers and sisters can sing well. My sister, Karen, is a well-known PEI artist who toys with the violin. While I don’t have any children myself, I have quite a few nephews who are starting to play violin and piano. A couple of them are starting to take on a few gigs. What instruments do you play? I play guitar mostly but also harmonica, Bodhran and a bit of mandolin. I hear you have a different album for you coming out, in that it is all in French. Being that you speak English, what made you record a French album? I am of French heritage, Acadian, and three of my four grandparents spoke French. My parents don’t speak any. When I started hanging out in other Acadian communities where they still had the language, I felt it was a part of my culture. I started to include a French song or two in my shows and this led to doing whole shows in French when the opportunity arose. Through this and media interviews, I feel I have been learning my French in public – sometimes this can be a little scary! This album is the realization of a longtime dream and sort of a milestone for me. I feel it was/is an important album for me to make to both honor my ancestors and re-affirm my heritage. It doesn’t mean I’m writing in French only from now on! I am presently making plans for a new studio album (in English) and hope to start recording this year. Did you write the songs for this album? How difficult was it to learn the songs (or do you speak some French already)? I wrote or co-wrote all the songs. I had to have help with the ones that are not co-writes – with my grammar and expressions, etc. It was a very difficult process as songs do not translate easily, and I am obviously more accustomed to writing in English. How long have you been songwriting for? Do you consider yourself a singer or a songwriter first? I wrote my first song when I was 13. I wrote it before I learned anyone else’s songs, so I suppose I was and am a songwriter first. What is your ideal songwriting situation (by yourself, in a certain location, etc.)? I find it easier if I can spend time on my own and not be concerned with other routines or obligations. This is very difficult to arrange as life gets busier all the time. I enjoyed your performance at the Folk Alliance Conference in Vancouver last year and I’m looking forward to seeing you on your Western Canada tour. Is this your first tour out west (besides showcase shows)? No, I played out west quite a bit before, but somehow went through a period of missing that part of the world (BC) when touring – just through bad timing really, because I love it out there. Who are the members of your band that are currently on the road with you? This tour will be fairly acoustic with Chris Church on violin and Leigh Grisewood on bass. Everybody sings. Who are some of your musical influences? Mostly great songwriters. Not enough room here but a few are Richard Thompson, Leonard Cohen, Lightfoot, Neil Young, Paul Brady, Joni Mitchell, Dylan, Springsteen, Archie Fisher. What do you enjoy to do when you’re off the road? I like being on or near the water – spending time with my girlfriend – watching movies. What have been some of the highlights of your career so far? It’s always great to meet some of your musical heroes and hear they like what you do. It’s hard to pull out particular events, but representing PEI on the New Year’s Eve round the world Millenium broadcast was one. Canada Day on Parliament Hill – another. I love it when people record my songs – this month Jimmy Buffett has one coming out on his album. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? I hope to be recording and touring in a somewhat sane fashion. Where have you toured? Canada extensively and in Europe. A bit in the states. Is there a place that you have yet to tour that you like to visit? I’d love to tour Australia and Japan. Now for more entertaining questions! What’s your favorite movie/TV show? I love movies, it would be hard to pick one. Lately, my favorites were ‘Amelie’ and ‘Lord of the Rings’. Going to see "A Beautiful Mind" tomorrow. I don’t watch a lot of TV, but I get a lot of laughs out of ‘Friends’ reruns – I never saw them first time around. Who are your favorite singers? Milton Nascimento, who has a beautiful voice, and Geff Buckley. For female singers – Patti Griffin, Lucinda Williams, Lhasa, Emmylou Harris, etc. There are so many I enjoy. Recently sang with some neat singers – Tara MacLean and Damhnait Doyle. If you could perform with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? I’d love to record with Daniel Lanois because his work has moved me so much, both as a writer and as a producer. Best of luck with your career in the months and years to come! Thanks a bunch! Lennie Gallant |
"A class act all around" - Impact Magazine "If you take a chance and buy one CD without hearing it this year, make it this one." - Dirty Linen Magazine "There's no one round to tone down the rollicking energy he delivers on stage" - The Ottawa Citizen "A powerhouse of a show" - The Halifax Herald "Astonishing from the first track to the last" - The Daily News "Gallant nails it, then he nails the audience" - The Performing Songwriter "Gallant's music is destined to reach a wider audience" - MacLean's Magazine "An opportunity to see Gallant play live should not be missed" - Times Globe "Gallant had the whistling crowd demanding more" - The Whitehorse Star "Music rooted in compassion and lyrics" - The Hill Times "Our northern neighbour has given us some of the best songwriters living today. You can add Lennie Gallant to the list" - The Performing Songwriter |
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For the latest tour dates, please visit Lennie's website - http://www.lenniegallant.com |
For more info on Lennie Gallant, check out his website at http://www.lenniegallant.com Fan Mail: Lennie Gallant, PO Box 33012, Quinpool Road RPO, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3L 4T6, Canada. Email: lennie@lenniegallant.com Booking Information: Rob Holden, Vision Entertainment, Phone: 902-463-7114, Fax: 902-463-0575, Email: vision.ent@ns.sympatico.ca To order Lennie Gallant's CD's, visit www.hmv.com If you're interested in more Canadian Celtic Music, visit the Canadian Celtic Music Website. |
The winner of 11 East Coast Music Awards, Lennie
Gallant is a household name at home in Atlantic Canada, and also enjoys
national and international acclaim. At the 2001 East Coast Music Awards Gallant once
again walked off with much of the hardware including: Male Artist of the
Year, Roots Recording and Album of the Year for "Lennie Gallant
Live". "Lennie Gallant Live" is a tapestry of some of his most
celebrated songs woven together with new works, demonstrating why he is
one of the most respected songwriters in Canada and beyond. With 5
albums to his credit, Lennie Gallant is currently completing work on
his 6th, an all French album, entitled "Le Vent Boheme".
In addition to the songs on his five albums, he has
written many (in French and English) for other artists, theatre
productions, feature films, and other projects.
Lennie Gallant accepted an invitation to join
the Board of Directors of the Songwriters Association of Canada in October
2001. Founded in 1983, the Songwriters Association’s mission is to
protect and develop the creative and business environments of songwriters
in Canada and internationally. It is the only national organization of its
kind with a membership now exceeding 1000 members. Gallant joins other
eminent Canadian songwriters – including Ian Thomas, Rik Emmett, Bill
Henderson and James Keelaghan on the Board. He will represent the
interests of the Eastern Canadian songwriting community in his new
capacity. 
Neo-Canuck! Like many Canadian songwriters, my
music crosses boundaries and encompasses my musical history, which
includes folk, rock, Celtic and a touch of Cajun and country. Somehow
it all works out, and I’m told I have a "sound" of my own.
