Welly in Residence

Reconnecting with my friend André “Dédé” Gagné for this project was already something precious in itself. But doing it through a residency at the Centre culturel de Notre-Dame-des-Prairies, centered around the work of his grandfather Welly, gave the whole experience an even deeper meaning.

We dove into songs that are truly unique, halfway between traditional music, songwriting, country, and vaudeville. Tunes that carry an era, a language, a sense of humor, and a sensitivity that we rarely hear today. It was fascinating to see how alive and current this music still is, and how powerfully it can touch people when it’s given space again.

Arranging these songs, working on them with six-string guitar and tenor guitar, and giving them a new voice was a real work of memory, but above all, a work of transmission. We weren’t just replaying pieces; we were bringing an entire heritage back to life.

For me, it was a huge honor to accompany my friend André in this important moment. Setting his grandfather’s songs to music is a powerful gesture, filled with meaning, respect, and love. I felt all the responsibility that comes with it, but also all the beauty and depth of what it represents.