This year, La Slague has chosen to support four artists as part of its artistic residency. Yes, four! We received some incredible applications and it was almost impossible to make a choice. The 2024 – 2025 season brought us Olivier Palkovits; Chanelle Albert; Philippe Mathieu; Sarah Craig under the artistic direction and ongoing guidance of Dan Bédard.

The aim of the artistic residencies is to provide artistic and financial support to musical artists at the start of their career, who are proposing a first project that is important to their development, such as the creation of new songs or instrumental works. We also support mid-career artists proposing a change of artistic direction or a unique project. Our mission is to help them enrich their musical knowledge, give them more tools to create new works and facilitate their professional development.

We are pleased to invite you to join us on April 16, 2025 at 7 p.m. at Little Montréal – Sudbury to celebrate this year in residence and discover the fruits of their labors.

Seating is limited, so please RSVP below.
The show is free, but if you would like to support the artistic residency project, an agent will be on hand at the door to receive your donation.

It's time to tell you their story and ours. Are you ready?

Olivier Palkovits

He is known for his Anglo folk pop, but he wanted to explore something new – electronics and synthesizer. As part of his residency, he had the opportunity to learn and collaborate with other artists, so Olivier worked with Olivier Fairfield on electronics/synths, and Dan Bédard on sampling and electronic orchestration, to compose three new instrumental electroacoustic works. He was able to purchase new tools, such as software, controllers and plug-ins to open up the possibilities for his compositions. He was then able to work at Deadpan Studios to record and mix the final versions of his works. His journey with La Slague led to three performances to test his work on stage:

  • A private concert in front of an audience of art scene professionals, to receive feedback on early versions of his compositions
  • Chansons en chantier show in Studio Desjardins that opened French Fest, where he shared the stage with Chanelle Albert, Philippe Mathieu and Sarah Craig
  • A presentation of the fruits of his labor on April 16 at 7 p.m. at Little Montréal – Sudbury

His package offered him an artist’s fee, a research and development budget for his work (training, software, editor, etc.), ongoing support from Dan Bédard, professional recording, and a promo package (including a photo shoot and press kit).

Crédit photo : Brandon Gray Jon Danyliw

Chanelle Albert

Her focus was twofold: to make music in French and to learn more about the music industry. Her adventure with La Slague enabled her to discover the big stage through three performances with the aim of sharing and testing her music:

  • A private concert in front of an audience of art scene professionals, to receive feedback on early versions of her compositions
  • Chansons en chantier show in Studio Desjardins that opened French Fest, where she shared the stage with Olivier Fairfield, Philippe Mathieu and Sarah Craig
  • A presentation of the fruits of her labor on April 16 at 7 p.m. at Little Montréal – Sudbury

As part of her residency, Chanelle chose Cindy Doire as her artistic mentor, Simon Jutras to improve her fingering and guitar playing, and Janie Pinard to fluidify her movements on stage. She successfully recorded her three new songs in Billy Brumhuller’s studio.

Her package also included an artist’s fee, a research and development budget for her work (training, software, editor, etc.), ongoing support from Dan Bédard, and a promo package (including a photo shoot and press kit).

Crédit photo : Brandon Gray Jon Danyliw

Philippe Mathieu

Sarah Craig

Sarah, an English-speaking jazz singer already based in Sudbury, had always wanted to sing in French. The artistic residency was the perfect opportunity for her to start exploring writing and performing in French.

She called on Normand Renaud to develop her ideas into 3 songs in French.

Sarah, on piano and vocals, presented an incredible body of work in 3 performances designed to test her work in French with the public:

  • A private concert in front of an audience of arts professionals, to get feedback on the first versions of her compositions
  • Chansons en chantier show in Studio Desjardins that opened French Fest, where she shared the stage with Olivier Fairfield, Chanelle Albert and Philippe Mathieu
  • A presentation of the fruits of his labor on April 16 at 7 p.m. at Little Montréal – Sudbury

Her package offered her a budget for the creation of three new songs in French, intense text work with Normand Renaud, and the ongoing accompaniment of Dan Bédard.

Congratulations to Olivier, Chanelle, Phillipe and Sarah!

La Slague team would like to congratulate its four artists-in-residence on their progress and evolution. We are proud of you!

You can follow their adventures on their social networks:

Chanelle Albert : Site internet, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Spotify

Philippe Mathieu : Site internet, Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, Youtube

Sarah Craig : Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Spotify

Olivier Palkovits : Facebook

 

Broadcasting is presented in collaboration with Les Compagnons des francs loisirs.

Many thanks to l’Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens for their support.