POP Montreal returns this year in a hybrid format (with both online and COVID-safe IRL events), ready to fill the void with good tunes and incredible talent. We're proud to announce our partnership with them, promoting some of our favourite artists.

First up, we have the dreamy NOVEMBER, who will be playing on Saturday the 26th, at the Rialto Clubhouse. Get your tickets and check out the even here.

Malaika for Also Cool Mag: How did music enter your life? What's your relationship to music like now?

NOVEMBER: Music was always present at home. I grew up with a single Haitian mother, and not only is music imbued in our culture, but she always said, "We aren't at church, the house doesn't need to be quiet." So something like an 80s power ballad or kompa was always playing in the background.

I got into it more as an art in my teens as I started finding myself and discovering music by myself. Demon Days by the Gorillaz was pivotal for me as a kid. It was when I was really like, "Ok, I want to make people feel the things I'm feeling now." It took me a while from that point to even admit what I wanted to do out loud. Still, by then, I had started absorbing any music I could listen to and refining my own sensibilities.

My relationship to music has really strengthened over the years. As it's become more of my career, I was genuinely scared there would be some tainted feels in mixing the art with more business stuff. But before anything, it will always be the most raw and spiritual way I express myself and process life. I'll never not make music, and I'll never not love it.

Also Cool: Who are your musical inspirations? What are your favourite albums right now?

NOVEMBER: I've always been very inspired by fearless women. I'm a huge Lady Gaga fan and was blown away by Chromatica. Solange and FKA twigs are also two artists who's complete vision I'm just in awe of. Both released last year but When I Get Home and Magdalene were in my top played records for 2019.

I'd say Dépêche Mode are also huge influences on my sound, and their music is sacred to me. Violator and Black Celebration are up there, but it's all amazing. I also adore George Michael and am influenced by him too. He had this amazing voice, made most of his music himself and seemed like a beautiful soul. I mentioned the Gorillaz, but really all of Damon Albarn's projects have impacted me, and I think he's a legend.

Other albums I loved this year were; What We Drew by Yaeji, which is an amazing exploration of this soundscape, What's Your Pleasure? by Jessie Ware is disco fire, Mordechai by Khruangbin who are one of my favourite bands, Ungodly Hour by Chloe x Halle which is just excellent, how I'm feeling now by Charli XCX and Sawayama by Rina Sawayama both of which are amazing expansions on what pop music is. An album I've found myself going back to over the years to The Worry by Seekae, who are this Australian act. The record is perfect from start to finish. I'm really into the album experience.

AC: What are your non-musical inspirations?

NOVEMBER: I've always had a deep appreciation for visual artists and what they do. I love photography and try to see as much as possible through online mediums primarily. When I find photographers I like, I get very into their work. Right now Ren Hang is an artist whose photography I'm really into.

Besides that, I love museums. I usually visit one wherever I'm playing a show and have a membership to the Fine Arts Museums in Montreal. I also love taking walks in nature, if possible. I love to observe life around me. Lastly, I love being around water, which is ironic because I can't swim. I recently saw the Atlantic for the first time, and it was crazy!! I'm the type to just sit and stare out for hours just thinking, writing, looking. And don't let me get a joint cause then it's doubled.

AC: What's your experience been like with the Montreal music scene? Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to launch their own project, but who aren't sure how?

NOVEMBER: On one hand, incredibly supportive and uplifting. Many of the opportunities I've had so far have come from people in this city, rooting and pulling for me. People have been very real in this city because they've supported me because of my talent first, which has helped me grow in other areas. Everything kinda snowballs, and opportunities like the ones given to me by the POP team have helped.

On the other hand, I can live in the real world and say I've seen people come out of nowhere and get much more, much faster. It's all good because there's enough cake on the table, and I truly believe that, but hey, would things be easier if I was white and playing acoustic guitar? Probably. That issue isn't just a Montreal one, though.

My advice, which disclaimer is biased towards singer/songwriters, would be first off just experiment at home. Download whatever DAW and learn basics from YouTube and forums. You don't need to become a super producer if that's not what your thing is, but always have enough vocabulary to articulate what you want to, whoever you work with. Otherwise, everyone will try to impose their vision of you onto you. Your vision of self needs to be definite and self-created. Other than that, I'd say if your project has vocals, please, you don't need to be an amazing vocalist. I really believe in just being good enough to express your own vision. BUT if you have live vocals, make sure your lyrics get heard. I've seen and played lots of shows, and the strangers you'll be courting into becoming fans when you're the first act of a four-act bill will focus much more if they know what they're hearing.

AC: You describe your music as "lovers with open eyes." If you could describe your songs as different kinds of lovers; Who are they, and what kind of dates would they take you on?

NOVEMBER: All my songs are the kind of lovers who cry, for whatever reason, but it happens. Maybe they're tears of joy. They write poetry, lay their feelings out for you and do that neck kiss thing. The dates would involve a museum, a smoke in the park, a movie in a small theatre (cause distancing), and late dinner after another smoke.

AC: What's one thing that has helped you grow as a person and a musician over this quarantine?

NOVEMBER: Realizing I'm much more capable as an artist and business person than I thought. I finished my BFA in acting during the pandemic, and that helped me come into myself more. I became more able to negotiate for myself and generally be like ok this "what I do." I think I assumed success meant outsourcing a lot creatively, which wasn't how I liked to work. I rediscovered confidence in producing, visuals etc that I hadn't felt since I was a teen just trying shit out.

AC: Wrapping up, what can we expect from your POP performance, and what's the best way to directly support you?

NOVEMBER: First off vocals. Some people have really cool bass solos, but I've got my voice. It's always been a main component of my sound. I'll be premiering my new song, Jerome, which is coming out right after POP on October 2nd. This will be my last performance before I release a new EP, so it's at least a temporary farewell to songs I've had in my set for years. Because of this, I wanted to update some older songs and add a few new layers to them.

Other than that, you can always expect to feel something strong from my shows. Whatever that is is up to you.