Pierre Lapointe
{{for|the municipal politician in Montreal|Pierre Lapointe (politician)}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{BLP sources|date=June 2014}}
{{Expand French|topic=bio|Pierre Lapointe|date=June 2014}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Pierre Lapointe
| image = Pierre Lapointe.JPG
| caption = Lapointe performing in the Côté-Cour café-théâtre in Jonquière, QC (March 2011).
| image_size =
| background = solo_singer
| birth_name =
| alias =
| origin =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|05|23|df=y}}
| birth_place = Alma, Quebec, Canada
| instrument = Vocals, keyboard
| genre = Chanson
| occupation = Musician, singer-songwriter
| years_active =
| label = Audiogram, Columbia France
| associated_acts =
| website = {{URL|www.pierrelapointe.com/}}
}}
File:Pierre-Lapointe-FrancoFolies-de-Montreal-2014.jpg (18 June 2014)]]
Pierre Lapointe (born 23 May 1981) is a Canadian singer-songwriter. His work largely follows in the tradition of French chanson, though he is influenced by modern pop music.{{Cite web|url = http://www.rfimusique.com/musiquefr/articles/081/article_16568.asp|title = Pierre Lapointe. Sortie française de La Forêt des mal-aimés|date = 11 September 2006|access-date = 20 April 2015|website = RFI Musique|last = Passelègue|first = Valérie|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141026091047/http://www.rfimusique.com/musiquefr/articles/081/article_16568.asp|archive-date = 26 October 2014|url-status = live}} Defining himself as a "popular singer", he has built an egocentric persona of a dandy onstage, but says he does this mostly to deflect attention from himself.{{Cite web|url = http://www.telerama.fr/musique/francofolies-pierre-lapointe-le-favori-de-montreal,113946.php|title = Pierre Lapointe, le favori de Montréal|date = 23 September 2014|access-date = 20 April 2015|website = Télérama|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150420031745/http://www.telerama.fr/musique/francofolies-pierre-lapointe-le-favori-de-montreal,113946.php|archive-date = 20 April 2015|url-status = live}} His records have found critical and commercial success in Canada. His regular tours in France ensured him a growing popularity as well as critical recognition.{{Cite web|title=Cinq raisons de tomber en amour pour Pierre Lapointe|url=https://www.20minutes.fr/culture/musique/2145691-20171005-science-ur-cinq-raisons-tomber-amour-pierre-lapointe|access-date=15 March 2021|website=20 Minutes (France)|date=5 October 2017 |language=fr}}
Life and career
=Early life=
Pierre Lapointe was born in Alma, Quebec, and grew up in Gatineau.{{Cite web|url = http://www.music-story.com/pierre-lapointe/biographie|title = Music-Story – Pierre Lapointe. Biographie|access-date = 20 April 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150526065722/http://www.music-story.com/pierre-lapointe/biographie|archive-date = 26 May 2015|url-status = dead}}{{Cite news|url = https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/pierre-the-who/article712718/|title = Pierre the Who?|date = 11 July 2006|access-date = 20 April 2015|website = The Globe and Mail|last = Frey|first = Christopher|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150526084709/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/pierre-the-who/article712718/|archive-date = 26 May 2015|url-status = live}}{{Cite web|url = http://fr.canoe.ca/divertissement/musique/dossiers/2009/04/02/8979986-jdm.html|title = Pierre Lapointe – "La création est ma vie"|date = 4 April 2009|access-date = 20 April 2015|website = Canoë|archive-url = https://archive.today/20150420164913/http://fr.canoe.ca/divertissement/musique/dossiers/2009/04/02/8979986-jdm.html|archive-date = 20 April 2015|url-status = usurped}}
He began studying visual arts in 1999, but changed his program and started to take theatre courses at the Cégep de Saint-Hyacinthe.{{Cite web|url = http://next.liberation.fr/musique/2015/02/09/pierre-lapointe-funambule_1198995|title = Pierre Lapointe. Funambule|date = 9 February 2015|access-date = 23 April 2015|website = Libération Next|last = Gomez|first = François-Xavier|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150628051731/http://next.liberation.fr/musique/2015/02/09/pierre-lapointe-funambule_1198995|archive-date = 28 June 2015|url-status = live}} He left after a few months to focus on songwriting, but later returned to complete his studies in visual arts. While there, he entered a competition called Tout nouveau, tout show. Lapointe won the "Award for Songwriter-Performer of the Year" and the "Audience Award". He moved to Montreal and continued studying art at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). In September 2001, he came first in the songwriter category at the Festival international de la chanson de Granby.{{Cite web|title=Québec Info Musique {{!}} Pierre Lapointe|url=http://www.qim.com/artistes/biographie.asp?artistid=588|access-date=15 March 2021|website=www.qim.com}} In November 2002, he held two critically acclaimed shows in Montreal. In December, he received a grant from the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec which allowed him to prepare his first commercial album.{{Cite web|url = http://www.canadianblast.com/Page.asp?PageID=100030&SiteNodeID=783|title = Pierre Lapointe|access-date = 11 May 2015|website = Canadian Blast|publisher = Canadian Independent Music Association|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150526073737/http://www.canadianblast.com/Page.asp?PageID=100030&SiteNodeID=783|archive-date = 26 May 2015|url-status = dead}}
=Initial success=
In the summer of 2003, he signed on with Audiogram.{{Cite web|url = http://www.musimax.com/musique/pierre-lapointe-1.5954|title = Pierre Lapointe|access-date = 1 May 2015|website = MusiMax|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304114939/http://www.musimax.com/musique/pierre-lapointe-1.5954|archive-date = 4 March 2016|url-status = live}} He released his debut studio album, Pierre Lapointe, in May 2004{{Cite web|url = http://www.qim.com/artistes/biographie.asp?artistid=588|title = Pierre Lapointe|access-date = 1 May 2015|website = Québec Info Musique|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150526071101/http://www.qim.com/artistes/biographie.asp?artistid=588|archive-date = 26 May 2015|url-status = live}} and it achieved platinum status in July 2006.{{Cite web|url = https://musiccanada.com/gold-platinum/?fwp_gp_search=pierre%20lapointe|title = Gold/Platinum|access-date = 1 May 2015|website = Music Canada|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150526071321/http://musiccanada.com/gold-platinum/?fwp_gp_search=pierre%20lapointe|archive-date = 26 May 2015|url-status = live}} In June 2004, he was invited to perform at the Festival Pully Lavaux in Switzerland, where he won the Jury Award.{{Cite web|url = http://www.pully-quebec.ch/index.php?id=125|title = Les 'Guy Bel'|access-date = 1 May 2015|website = Festival Pully Lavaux à l'heure du Québec|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150526064618/http://www.pully-quebec.ch/index.php?id=125|archive-date = 26 May 2015|url-status = dead}} In July of the same year, at the FrancoFolies de Montréal, he played a full house for four days in a row, during which he won the Prix Félix‑Leclerc de la chanson.{{Cite web|url = http://www.francofolies.com/artists/prix-felix-leclerc.aspx|title = Prix Félix-Leclerc|access-date = 4 May 2015|website = FrancoFolies de Montréal|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150325053515/http://www.francofolies.com/artists/prix-felix-leclerc.aspx|archive-date = 25 March 2015|url-status = live}}
In celebration of International Francophonie Day on 22 March 2005, he appeared as a guest speaker on Couleurs francophones, a radio show broadcast to French-speaking Europeans.{{Cite web|url = http://ici.radio-canada.ca/radio/emissions/1354/20050322/8046.html|title = La nouvelle vague|date = 22 March 2005|access-date = 4 May 2015|publisher = CBC/Radio-Canada |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150526082629/http://ici.radio-canada.ca/radio/emissions/1354/20050322/8046.html|archive-date = 26 May 2015|url-status = live}} In May 2005, he won the Académie Charles Cros Special Jury Award at the Alors... chante Festival in Montauban, France.{{Cite web|url = http://www.charlescros.org/pdf/cdc33.pdf|title = Les coups de coeur Charles Cros Chanson 2005|access-date = 4 May 2015|website = Charles Cros|publisher = Académie Charles Cros – L'abbaye|last = Bernard|first = Nicolas|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150923202336/http://www.charlescros.org/pdf/cdc33.pdf|archive-date = 23 September 2015|url-status = dead}}
In October 2005, he won a total of six Félix Awards: three on his own for Pop Album of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and Art Direction of the Year, as well as three in conjunction with his collaborators, Jean Massicotte (for Arrangement of the Year and Producer of the Year) and Louis Simon Hétu (for Sound Technician of the Year).{{Cite web|url = http://adisq.com/even-gala/archives/gala2005.html|title = Archives Gala – Gala de l'ADISQ – 2005 – Nommés et gagnants|access-date = 4 May 2015|website = ADISQ|publisher = Association québécoise de l'industrie du disque, du spectacle et de la vidéo|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150926010629/http://www.adisq.com/even-gala/archives/gala2005.html|archive-date = 26 September 2015|url-status = dead}} In November 2005, the Académie Charles Cros awarded him the Grand Prix du Disque for French Song for his album, Pierre Lapointe.{{Cite web|url = http://www.charlescros.org/pdf/palmares2005.pdf|title = Grands Prix 2005 – 58ème Palmarès|date = 24 November 2005|access-date = 4 May 2015|website = Charles Cros|publisher = Académie Charles Cros – L'abbaye|last = Bernard|first = Nicolas|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150923202353/http://www.charlescros.org/pdf/palmares2005.pdf|archive-date = 23 September 2015|url-status = dead}}
In March 2006, Lapointe released a second album, La Forêt des mal-aimés,{{Cite web|url = http://www.pierrelapointe.com/musique.php?album=95|title = La Forêt des Mal-Aimés|access-date = 4 May 2015|website = Pierre Lapointe|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150425064829/http://www.pierrelapointe.com/musique.php?album=95|archive-date = 25 April 2015|url-status = live}} which attained platinum status in July 2006.{{Cite web|url = https://musiccanada.com/gold-platinum/?fwp_gp_search=pierre%20lapointe|title = Gold/Platinum|access-date = 4 May 2015|website = Music Canada|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150526071321/http://musiccanada.com/gold-platinum/?fwp_gp_search=pierre%20lapointe|archive-date = 26 May 2015|url-status = live}} In October 2006, he received three more Félix Awards for La Forêt des mal-mimés: one for Songwriter of the Year, one for Pop Album of the Year and another in collaboration with Philippe Brault and Jean Massicotte for Arrangement of the Year.{{Cite web|url = http://adisq.com/even-gala/archives/gala2006.html|title = Archives Gala – Gala de l'ADISQ – 2006 – Nommés et gagnants|access-date = 4 May 2015|website = ADISQ|publisher = Association québécoise de l'industrie du disque, du spectacle et de la vidéo|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150926010634/http://www.adisq.com/even-gala/archives/gala2006.html|archive-date = 26 September 2015|url-status = dead}} On 28 October 2007, he won a Félix Award in the category of "Performance of the Year – Singer-Songwriter" for La Forêt des mal-aimés during the 29th ADISQ Gala.{{Cite web|url = http://adisq.com/even-gala/archives/gala2007.html|title = Archives Gala – Gala de l'ADISQ – 2007 – Nommés et gagnants|access-date = 4 May 2015|website = ADISQ|publisher = Association québécoise de l'industrie du disque, du spectacle et de la vidéo|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150926010640/http://www.adisq.com/even-gala/archives/gala2007.html|archive-date = 26 September 2015|url-status = dead}}
In April 2007, he joined Brigitte Fontaine in performing her song, La symphonie pastorale, at both the Printemps de Bourges music festival and the La Cigale concert hall in Paris.{{Cite web|url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuJ888jK10g|title = Pierre Lapointe et Brigitte Fontaine 'La symphonie pastorale' – Acoustic/TV5MONDE|date = 4 November 2014|access-date = 4 May 2015|via = YouTube|last = acoustic|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160315093728/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuJ888jK10g|archive-date = 15 March 2016|url-status = live}}{{Cite web|url = http://www.concertandco.com/critique/concert-shannon-wright-brigitte-fontaine/printemps-de-bourges/17376.htm|title = Critique de concert Shannon Wright + Brigitte Fontaine + Pierre Lapointe + Motel Martel et Seb Martel (Printemps de Bourges 2007)|date = 20 April 2007|access-date = 4 May 2015|website = Concert And Co|publisher = Neolab Production|last = Andrieu|first = Pierre|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150526064844/http://www.concertandco.com/critique/concert-shannon-wright-brigitte-fontaine/printemps-de-bourges/17376.htm|archive-date = 26 May 2015|url-status = live}} He was also the recipient of the 2007 Rapsat-Lelièvre Award for La Forêt des mal-aimés, which the jury considered to be of "exceptional quality".{{Cite web|url = http://www.mcc.gouv.qc.ca/index.php?id=2328&tx_ttnews[swords]=Rapsat-Leli%25C3%25A8vre&tx_ttnews[posted]=1&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=3344&tx_ttnews[backPid]=2408&cHash=48327cf752fd4c81700e3e50d73b9cef|title = La forêt des mal-aimés enchante : Pierre Lapointe reçoit le prix Rapsat-Lelièvre 2007|date = 26 April 2007|access-date = 4 May 2015|website = Culture et communications Québec|publisher = Gouvernement du Québec|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170510112556/http://www.mcc.gouv.qc.ca/index.php?id=2328&tx_ttnews%5bswords%5d=Rapsat-Leli%25C3%25A8vre&tx_ttnews%5bposted%5d=1&tx_ttnews%5btt_news%5d=3344&tx_ttnews%5bbackPid%5d=2408&cHash=48327cf752fd4c81700e3e50d73b9cef|archive-date = 10 May 2017|url-status = live}}{{Cite web|url = http://ici.radio-canada.ca/arts-spectacles/musique/2007/07/23/001-pierre_lapointe_prix.asp|title = Pierre Lapointe, prix Rapsat-Lelièvre 2007|date = 23 July 2007|access-date = 4 May 2015|publisher = CBC/Radio-Canada |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150526082631/http://ici.radio-canada.ca/arts-spectacles/musique/2007/07/23/001-pierre_lapointe_prix.asp|archive-date = 26 May 2015|url-status = live}}
In August 2007, Lapointe was joined by the Orchestre Métropolitain, with director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, to close the 19th annual FrancoFolies de Montréal.{{Cite web|url = http://www.pierrelapointe.com/biographie|title = Biographie|access-date = 4 May 2015|website = Pierre Lapointe|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150519063735/http://www.pierrelapointe.com/biographie|archive-date = 19 May 2015|url-status = live}} He performed for a crowd of over 100,100 – the largest in the festival's history.{{Cite web|url = http://info.audiogram.com/pierre_lapointe_en_concert_dans_la_foret_des_mal_aimes/|title = Les chansons essentielles de Pierre Lapointe en version symphonique sur CD|date = 26 November 2007|access-date = 4 May 2015|website = Audiogram|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150526071103/http://info.audiogram.com/pierre_lapointe_en_concert_dans_la_foret_des_mal_aimes/|archive-date = 26 May 2015|url-status = live}}
He returned to the festival the next year, where he staged his new work, Mutantès, for four nights at the Place des Arts.{{Cite web|url = http://www.francofolies.com/historique/2008/|title = Programme de l'édition 2008|access-date = 4 May 2015|website = FrancoFolies de Montréal|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150526070325/http://www.francofolies.com/historique/2008/|archive-date = 26 May 2015|url-status = live}} Featuring a futuristic stage production by Claude Poissant, the show tells the story of a mutant on his quest for happiness.{{Cite web|url = http://www.francofolies.com/program/concert.aspx?id=9697|title = FrancoFolies Archives – Mutantès, de Pierre Lapointe|access-date = 4 May 2015|website = FrancoFolies de Montréal|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150526085048/http://www.francofolies.com/program/concert.aspx?id=9697|archive-date = 26 May 2015|url-status = live}}
Following the show's success, he reworked Mutantès into a studio album, releasing it under the title Sentiments humains.{{Cite web|url = https://www.ledevoir.com/culture/musique/243727/pierre-lapointe-de-mutantes-a-sentiments-humains|title = Pierre Lapointe, de Mutantès à Sentiments humains|date = 4 April 2009|access-date = 4 May 2015|website = Le Devoir|last = Cormier|first = Sylvain|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150526070849/http://www.ledevoir.com/culture/musique/243727/pierre-lapointe-de-mutantes-a-sentiments-humains|archive-date = 26 May 2015|url-status = live}} He again went on tour, concluding at the FrancoFolies de Montréal in June 2010, marking his ninth consecutive appearance at the festival.{{Cite web|url = http://www.francofolies.com/program/concert.aspx?id=11877|title = Pierre Lapointe|access-date = 4 May 2015|website = FrancoFolies de Montréal|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150526065809/http://www.francofolies.com/program/concert.aspx?id=11877|archive-date = 26 May 2015|url-status = live}} In January 2011, he released Pierre Lapointe Seul au piano, which saw him revisit earlier songs in a stripped-down form, featuring an unaccompanied Lapointe on piano.{{Cite web|url = http://www.audiogram.com/fr/artiste/pierre-lapointe/album/191/pierre-lapointe-seul-au-piano|title = Pierre Lapointe seul au piano|date = 8 February 2011|access-date = 4 May 2015|website = Audiogram|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150526071217/http://www.audiogram.com/fr/artiste/pierre-lapointe/album/191/pierre-lapointe-seul-au-piano|archive-date = 26 May 2015|url-status = live}} 2013 saw two new releases: a studio album proper, Punkt, and Les callas, an EP of short compositions and rough takes.{{Cite web|url = http://www.audiogram.com/fr/artiste/pierre-lapointe/album/290/punkt|title = Punkt – Vinyle transparent|date = 26 February 2013|access-date = 4 May 2015|website = Audiogram|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150526071048/http://www.audiogram.com/fr/artiste/pierre-lapointe/album/290/punkt|archive-date = 26 May 2015|url-status = live}}{{Cite news|title = Pierre Lapointe surprend avec LES CALLAS|date = 3 December 2013|website = Canoë|publisher = Corporation Sun Media|last = Chantal-Boivin|first = Catherine}} In June of that year, Punkt was longlisted for the 2013 Polaris Music Prize.{{Cite web|url = http://exclaim.ca/Music/article/polaris_music_prize_unveils_2013_long_list|title = Polaris Music Prize Unveils 2013 Long List|date = 13 June 2013|access-date = 4 May 2015|website = Exclaim!|publisher = Exclaim! Media Inc.|last = Hudson|first = Alex|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150526214737/http://exclaim.ca/Music/article/polaris_music_prize_unveils_2013_long_list|archive-date = 26 May 2015|url-status = live}}
=International success=
File:25 ans des FrancoFolies - 235.jpg in July 2013]]
In July 2014, he appeared at the Francofolies de La Rochelle in France.{{Cite web|url = http://culturebox.francetvinfo.fr/festivals/francofolies-de-la-rochelle/pierre-lapointe-aux-francofolies-2014-159567|title = Pierre Lapointe aux Francofolies 2014|date = 14 July 2014|website = Culturebox|publisher = France Télévisions|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150526071221/http://culturebox.francetvinfo.fr/festivals/francofolies-de-la-rochelle/pierre-lapointe-aux-francofolies-2014-159567|archive-date = 26 May 2015|url-status = live}} During this time, he hosted his own weekday radio show, Les Petites Morts, which was broadcast nationally on France Inter.{{Cite web|url = http://www.franceinter.fr/emission-les-petites-morts|title = Les Petits Morts de 08H52|date = 22 August 2014|website = France Inter|publisher = Radio France|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150427091711/http://www.franceinter.fr/emission-les-petites-morts|archive-date = 27 April 2015|url-status = live}} In the program, Lapointe discussed some of his favourite artists and featured guests such as Christophe, Christine and the Queens and Alexandre Tharaud. The exposure greatly increased his popularity in France.{{Cite news|url = http://www.la-croix.com/Culture/Musique/Pierre-Lapointe-un-Quebecois-a-Paris-2014-10-17-1223027|title = Pierre Lapointe, un Québécois à Paris|date = 17 October 2014|access-date = 4 May 2015|website = La Croix|publisher = Bayard Presse|last = Dana|first = Jean-Yves|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150526064628/http://www.la-croix.com/Culture/Musique/Pierre-Lapointe-un-Quebecois-a-Paris-2014-10-17-1223027|archive-date = 26 May 2015|url-status = live}}
In November 2014, he released Paris tristesse in France and Belgium.{{Cite news|title = Un nouvel album parisien pour Pierre Lapointe|date = 24 September 2014|website = Canoë|publisher = Corporation Sun Media|last = Boileau|first = Fabien}} The album, recorded in Paris, consists of reworked songs from Punkt as well as covers of French pop classics. The album was later released in Quebec on 10 February 2015.{{Cite web|url = http://pierrelapointe.com/paristristesse|access-date = 4 May 2015|website = Pierre Lapointe|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150406020242/http://pierrelapointe.com/paristristesse|archive-date = 6 April 2015|url-status = live| title=PARIS TRISTESSE - 10 février 2015 }}
He was a coach on La Voix, the Quebec edition of the international reality show The Voice, from its third to its fifth season, and returned in the eight season.{{Cite web|url = http://www.journaldemontreal.com/2014/07/30/un-nouveau-coach-a-ila-voixi|title = Pierre Lapointe – Un nouveau coach à La Voix|date = 30 July 2014|access-date = 4 May 2015|website = Journal de Montréal|publisher = Sun Media Corporation|last = Chabot-Johnson|first = Marie|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303171626/http://www.journaldemontreal.com/2014/07/30/un-nouveau-coach-a-ila-voixi|archive-date = 3 March 2016|url-status = live}}
In 2022, Lapointe and Charlotte Cardin performed Daniel Lavoie's "Ils s'aiment" at the ceremony inducting Lavoie into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.Cindy Caron, [https://l-express.ca/alanis-morissette-bryan-adams-daniel-lavoie-au-pantheon-des-auteurs-et-compositeurs-canadiens/ "Alanis Morissette, Bryan Adams, Daniel Lavoie au Panthéon des auteurs et compositeurs canadiens"]. L'Express, 27 September 2022.
Artistry
=Themes=
Failed relationships are often the subject of Pierre Lapointe's songs, though he prefers to maintain a degree of ambiguity as to the relationships in question, allowing for more diversity in interpretations.{{Cite web|url = http://plus.lefigaro.fr/note/pierre-lapointe-chanteur-populaire-20110606-477362|title = Pierre Lapointe : "Je fais de la chanson surréaliste"|date = 6 June 2011|access-date = 4 May 2015|website = Le Figaro|publisher = Société du Figaro|last = Strouk|first = Cécile|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150724213911/http://plus.lefigaro.fr/note/pierre-lapointe-chanteur-populaire-20110606-477362|archive-date = 24 July 2015|url-status = live}} Another recurring theme in his work is death, which he believes has a far greater presence in music than either love or happiness.{{Cite web|url = https://www.humanite.fr/pierre-lapointe-la-chanson-francophone-tourne-en-rond|title = Pierre Lapointe : "La chanson francophone tourne en rond"|date = 17 January 2014|access-date = 4 May 2015|website = L'Humanité|publisher = Société nouvelle du journal L'Humanité|last = Hache|first = Victor|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160601005958/http://www.humanite.fr/pierre-lapointe-la-chanson-francophone-tourne-en-rond|archive-date = 1 June 2016|url-status = live}} With La Forêt des mal-aimés (Forest of the Rejected), he explains that it is usually the feelings of sadness and heartbreak that move an audience. He strives to create a tender and melancholic atmosphere on stage.{{Cite web|url = http://www.rfimusique.com/musiquefr/articles/081/article_16568.asp|title = Pierre Lapointe|date = 11 September 2006|access-date = 4 May 2015|website = RFI Musique|publisher = France Médias Monde|last = Passelègue|first = Valérie|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141026091047/http://www.rfimusique.com/musiquefr/articles/081/article_16568.asp|archive-date = 26 October 2014|url-status = live}} Rather than tell a story through his songs, he aims to elicit images and emotions. Lapointe considers his work to be symbolic, mystical and surreal, as well as abstract and avant-garde. His provocative words, which typically deal with sexuality, are a way to challenge the music industry, whose demands, he believes, have resulted in a culture of polite and acceptable music.
Although he is out as gay, he tends to keep his personal life private and is rarely open about who he is dating.[https://ici.radio-canada.ca/premiere/emissions/les-malins/segments/entrevue/210615/grande-entrevue-malins-pierre-lapointe "Quelques « faits divers » sur la carrière de Pierre Lapointe"]. Ici Radio-Canada, 21 November 2020. He has, however, spoken out on occasion about experiencing public incidents of homophobia.{{cite news | first=Stéphanie | last=Nolin | url=https://showbizz.net/tele/pierre-lapointe-confie-avoir-ete-victime-dhomophobie-recemment | title=Pierre Lapointe confie avoir été victime d'homophobie récemment | work=Showbizz.net | language=fr | date=18 June 2020 | accessdate=28 August 2021 }}
=Influences=
Pierre Lapointe has been described as having an eclectic style, drawing inspiration from genres as varied as disco, cabaret, and gospel. However, chanson and pop remain the foundation of his work. Among his influences, are French singer-songwriters (Léo Ferré, Serge Gainsbourg and Barbara), contemporary chanson artists (Matthieu Chédid and Vincent Delerm) and pop artists (Robert Charlebois, ABBA and France Gall).{{Cite web|url = http://www.concertlive.fr/reportage/pierre-lapointe-concert-mythique-a-lolympia-matthieu-chedid-special-guest-reportage-848297|title = Pierre Lapointe: concert mythique à l'Olympia avec Matthieu Chedid en special guest|date = 30 January 2014|access-date = 4 May 2015|website = Concertlive|publisher = Concert Live publishing|last = Paul|first = Nathalie|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150527080935/http://www.concertlive.fr/reportage/pierre-lapointe-concert-mythique-a-lolympia-matthieu-chedid-special-guest-reportage-848297|archive-date = 27 May 2015|url-status = live}} He also credits Diane Dufresne, Beck and Björk for shaping his musical development, claiming that, like his influences, he aims to innovate and bring an intellectual approach to popular music. However, he denies having invented anything new, asserting that his "postmodern" work simply seeks to revitalize French-language pop.
Visual arts and choreography play a prominent role in Pierre Lapointe's work, given his background in graphic arts and theatre. He works with dancers and many contemporary artists, particularly when producing music videos, and he often includes them on stage.{{Cite news|url = http://www.lapresse.ca/arts/spectacles-et-theatre/200809/08/01-653694-mutantes-de-pierre-lapointe-le-sorcier-bien-aime.php|title = Mutantès de Pierre Lapointe: le sorcier bien-aimé|date = 1 August 2008|access-date = 4 May 2015|website = La Presse|publisher = GeSCA Limitée|last = Blais|first = Marie-Christine|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141019170731/http://www.lapresse.ca/arts/spectacles-et-theatre/200809/08/01-653694-mutantes-de-pierre-lapointe-le-sorcier-bien-aime.php|archive-date = 19 October 2014|url-status = live}}{{Cite web|url = http://198.50.240.138/en/music_and_media/105|title = Pierre Lapointe|access-date = 4 May 2015|website = Apathy is Boring|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150526064336/http://198.50.240.138/en/music_and_media/105|archive-date = 26 May 2015|url-status = dead}}
Lapointe has been influenced by visual artists like Jeff Koons,{{Cite news|date=16 January 2014|title=Pierre Lapointe : "La chanson francophone tourne en rond"|url=https://www.humanite.fr/pierre-lapointe-la-chanson-francophone-tourne-en-rond|access-date=15 March 2021|website=L'Humanité|language=fr}} Takashi Murakami and Montreal native David Altmejd, whom he credits as a major inspiration for Mutantès{{Cite news|url = http://www.lapresse.ca/arts/spectacles-et-theatre/201011/24/01-4346012-conte-crepusculaire-performance-ephemere-de-pierre-lapointe-et-david-altmejd.php|title = Conte crépusculaire : performance éphémère de Pierre Lapointe et David Altmejd|date = 25 November 2010|access-date = 4 May 2015|website = La Presse|publisher = GeSCA Limitée|last = Clément|first = Éric|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150526085136/http://www.lapresse.ca/arts/spectacles-et-theatre/201011/24/01-4346012-conte-crepusculaire-performance-ephemere-de-pierre-lapointe-et-david-altmejd.php|archive-date = 26 May 2015|url-status = live}} In 2016, he collaborated with the French designer Matali Crasset, who designed the scenography for Amours, délices et orgues.{{Cite web|url=https://placedesarts.com/fr/evenement/pierre-lapointe|title=Pierre Lapointe|last=sa|date=7 June 2017|website=Place des Arts|language=fr|access-date=11 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109151043/https://placedesarts.com/fr/evenement/pierre-lapointe//|archive-date=9 November 2019|url-status=live}} Having been introduced to the Bauhaus and Dada movements at a young age, several of his shows (such as Mutantès) give the impression of being performance art. Lapointe has lamented the indifferent attitude toward contemporary art expressed in modern society and education.
Discography
=Studio albums=
| class="wikitable"
!align="center" rowspan="2" width="10"|Year !align="center" rowspan="2" width="230"|Album !align="center" colspan="3" width="20"|Peak positions !align="center" rowspan="2" width="70"|Certification |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | CAN {{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pierre-lapointe/chart-history/canadian-albums|title=Pierre Lapointe Chart History: Canadian Albums|magazine=Billboard|access-date=6 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905231946/https://www.billboard.com/music/pierre-lapointe/chart-history/canadian-albums|archive-date=5 September 2018|url-status=dead}}
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | FRA ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | BEL |
|---|
| style="text-align:center;"|2002
|Pierre Lapointe | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"| |
| style="text-align:center;"|2004
| style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"| |
| style="text-align:center;"|2006
| style="text-align:center;"|1 | style="text-align:center;"|112 | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"| |
| style="text-align:center;"|2009
| style="text-align:center;"|2 | style="text-align:center;"|72 | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"| |
| style="text-align:center;"|2011
|Seul au piano | style="text-align:center;"|2 | style="text-align:center;"|184 | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"| |
| style="text-align:center;"|2013
| style="text-align:center;"|1 | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"| |
| style="text-align:center;"|2013
|Les Callas | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"| |
| style="text-align:center;"|2014
| style="text-align:center;"|9 | style="text-align:center;"|111 | style="text-align:center;"|52 | style="text-align:center;"| |
| style="text-align:center;"|2017
| style="text-align:center;"|1 | style="text-align:center;"|130 | style="text-align:center;"|189 | style="text-align:center;"| |
| style="text-align:center;"|2018
|Ton corps est déjà froid | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"| |
| style="text-align:center;"|2019
| style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"| |
| style="text-align:center;"|2020
| style="text-align:center;"|10 | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"| |
| style="text-align:center;"|2022
| style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"| |
| 2025
|Dix chansons démodées pour ceux qui ont le cœur abîmé | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | style="text-align:center;"|— | |
=Remix albums=
| class="wikitable"
!scope="col"|Year !scope="col"|Album !scope="col"|Notes |
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan=2|2007
|2 X2 | style="text-align:center;"|24-minute small album with remixes of the album La Forêt des Mal-Aimés plus one previously unreleased track "le Maquis" |
| 25-1-14-14
| style="text-align:center;"|Vinyl record. Limited re-release of 1000 copies of the album 2 X2 minus the track "Le Maquis" |
=Live albums=
| class="wikitable"
!align="center" rowspan="2" width="10"|Year !align="center" rowspan="2" width="120"|Album !align="center" colspan="1" width="20"|Peak positions |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | CAN |
|---|
| style="text-align:center;"|2007
|En concert dans la forêt des mal-aimés | style="text-align:center;"|22 |
=Songs / Videos=
- 2004: "Le Columbarium"
- 2005: "Tel un seul homme"
- 2006: "Deux par deux rassemblés"
- 2007: "Qu'en est-il de la chance?"
- 2009: "Je reviendrai"
- 2009: "Au bar des suicidés"
- 2013: "La Sexualité" (with Random Recipe)
- 2013: "Nos Joies Répétitives"
- 2017: "Sais tu vraiment qui tu es"
=Collaborations=
{{Expand section|more collaborations|date=June 2014}}
- 2004: Various artists, Un dimanche à Kyoto, songs, tales and nursery rhymes by Gilles Vigneault: La Petite Adèle, La Petite Annette, C'est le vieux Pipo, Comptine en mode zen (with Ariane Moffatt, Garou, Luce Dufault, Luc De Larochellière, Martin Léon and Jessica Vigneault)
- 2005: Various artists, Aujourd'hui encore... Hommage à Charles Aznavour, Les plaisirs démodés (avec le Consort contemporain de Québec)
- 2006: Malajube, Trompe-l'oeil vocals on Montréal-40°
- 2006: Various artists, Salut Joe! Hommage à Joe Dassin, Les yeux d'Émilie
- 2007: Plaza Musique, L'amour et l'Occident, vocals on La ville aux deux soleils
- 2010: Young Artists for Haiti, K'naan's Wavin' Flag
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.pierrelapointe.com/ Pierre Lapointe] (official website)
{{Pierre Lapointe}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lapointe, Pierre}}
Category:Audiogram (label) artists
Category:People from Alma, Quebec
Category:French-language singers of Canada
Category:21st-century Canadian male singers
Category:21st-century Canadian singers
Category:Canadian LGBTQ singer-songwriters