Polaris Prize finalist Lisa LeBlanc was transfixed by Patrick Rothfuss's fantasy novel The Name of the Wind
The Acadian singer-songwriter is a 2022 finalist for her album Chiac Disco
Moncton-based Acadian singer-songwriter Lisa LeBlanc returns after the success of her 2017 Polaris Music Prize-shortlisted album Why You Wanna Leave, Runaway Queen? with the brash Chiac Disco — a tribute to the era of chic disco and funk, glittering with lively melodies and groovy percussion.
The record landed LeBlanc her second Polaris Music Prize nomination — it's one of the ten albums shortlisted for the 2022 Polaris Prize, which celebrates the best Canadian album of the year. The winner, who will receive $50,000, will be announced on Sept. 19, 2022.
In June 2020, LeBlanc created a kitschy bingo-player alter ego named Belinda to put out the EP It's not a game, it's a lifestyle. The move towards disco inspired the full-length Chiac Disco, which was recorded collaboratively with LeBlanc's bandmates at her home.
The album also marks LeBlanc's return to French lyrics, making for a unique mix of disco and Chiac, or Acadian French from rural southeastern New Brunswick. The result harkens back to the retro sound of the 1960s and '70s while pairing LeBlanc's observational wit with funky rhythms.
When she's not making music, LeBlanc is often busy reading — she told CBC Books about her fascination with fantasy novels, and why she's impatiently awaiting the conclusion of Patrick Rothfuss's The Kingkiller Chronicle trilogy.
Fan of fantasy
"I was a bit intimidated to offer a book recommendation, but I absolutely love fantasy books. It's not for everyone, I know, but I've always been so in love with the genre ever since I was a kid. It's always followed me — I always felt like things were magic; it's just a way of letting the imagination really go wild. I've always felt really close to that kind of genre where you can really build a whole new world with these new characters and new ways to live.
I've always been so in love with the genre ever since I was a kid. It's just a way of letting the imagination really go wild.
"One of my favourites is The Name of the Wind. I had read The Golden Compass [the first book in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials series] — I was so hooked on that book, and I had a little book hangover. After that, I stumbled on The Name of the Wind — I think it was either via a friend or through Goodreads.
From the first chapter, I was completely hooked — I don't think I really talked to anybody during the entire time I was reading it!"
A unique protagonist
"I tend to read all Speedy Gonzales-style — especially this book, I was so into it and wanted to know what was going to happen. It follows a main character called Kvothe — you follow him through his childhood, and something happens to the travelling troupe where he grows up, and he wants to find the group of mysterious things that murdered his family.
"So you follow all of his life until early adulthood when he goes to the university of magic — of course, he's the unique chosen one, and you keep going to find out what happens to him."
Poetic passages
"I thought the prose was incredible in this, and I felt so attached to the characters and the depth of the whole world surrounding them. I've never highlighted so many passages! It was really poetry in a book — I thought his writing style was absolutely beautiful and unique.
It was really poetry in a book — I thought his writing style was absolutely beautiful and unique.
"I think it was the first book where, as I was reading, I was writing things on the side as I was being inspired for songs. One of my favourite passages ever in that book was: "The day we fret about the future is the day we leave our childhood behind." And there are plenty of such passages, on top of the story being incredibly adventure-driven — it's a page-turner."
Watch | Lisa LeBlanc — Gossip (from Chiac Disco):
Awaiting the ending
"I'm just mad because the third book in the series isn't out yet. Everyone is so angry — I was so obsessed that I was reading online forums going, 'What do you mean, there's no third?!' I've been waiting so long for this third book — and I understand, because it's kind of like with Game of Thrones, where the fans are still waiting for another book. I actually haven't read the Game of Thrones series yet, because I know how angry I already was with this. I didn't even bother — I'm going to wait until they're all there. I'm not going through that again!
"That's what's funny about fantasy books — there's a real diehard fandom. I started seeing the whole community behind it because I started digging when I wanted to know what was going on about releasing the next book [in the Kingkiller series], but I've never done this before. It was like, 'Okay, I'm not the only one!' But there's a huge readership — you see it with BookTok. So it's really interesting to see how people are going crazy for the fantasy genre."
Reading begets (song)writing
"My last record was really inspired by a lot of books I was reading — when you're writing, it's so linked with what you're reading. And any art form can be inspiring when you're doing art — you don't just have to listen to music to be writing music. You can go watch theatre, or go to the circus, see visual art, or read — it's all super-inspiring.
My last record was really inspired by a lot of books I was reading — when you're writing, it's so linked with what you're reading.
"When I'm on the road, I have my Kindle with me and I'm always checking out different things. I love to read — it's pretty much my favourite way to pass the time in the van. I've been able to discover a whole lot of cool authors, like Patrick Rothfuss.
"I think CBC Books should tag him [online], and we can maybe find out when that third book is finally coming out! [laughs] I just want him to know I'm a fan — a girl can dream, right?"
Listen | Lisa LeBlanc on CBC Radio's q:
