About this user
Born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario, Laurent started playing guitar at age nine and subsequently began performing and recording with his first band by the age of twelve. Fast-forward through three albums and a multitude of tours through Ontario and Quebec, in 2008, Laurent began the writing and recording of his debut solo album, What We Talk About.
What We Talk About was co-produced by Dean Watson and Laurent at the Gallery Studios in Ottawa and features Laurent's long time musical partner Jamie Kronick on drums and Laurent on a number of instruments including guitar, bass, piano, banjo and keys.
It was released in November of 2009 followed by a tour through Ontario, Quebec and the northeastern US, which included a sold out show at the famous Living Room in New York City.
Since its release, What We Talk About has frequently received attention from various national and regional CBC radio programs, from college stations across the country as well as select top 40 rock radio stations in Ottawa and Montreal.
South of the border, What We Talk About reached the top 20 in over 100 CMJ certified college radio stations across the US over the summer and fall of 2010.
The success of Laurent's college charting in the US led to major licensing opportunities with MTV and the E! Network. Laurent's music has recently been featured on multiple MTV and E! programs, including: The Real World (MTV), Keeping up With The Kardashians (E!) and many others.
Laurent has played several of North America's top festivals including POP Montreal, Canadian Music Week and the Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest. Over the past three years Laurent has shared the stage with such great acts as Andrew Bird, The Great Lake Swimmers, Dan Mangan, Sam Bradley, David Myles, Crash Karma, Jonah Matranga (of the bands Far, Gratitude), The Rural Alberta Advantage, The Sadies, The Wooden Sky and Hollerado.
Since the release of What We Talk About, Laurent has gained great praise from critics across Canada. Here is a selection of what they have said:
"This songwriter will be quick to make headway in the folk-inspired-pop scene"
- Fateema Sayani, The Ottawa Citizen
"Laurent Bourque "gets it" - his voice, his guitar playing, his songs -
He's simply got a sound that pulls you in from the start and keeps you hanging on to every bit. A fresh mint sound with crafty songwriting and arrangements."
- John Klepko, CBC Radio Montreal
"[...] It is clear that Bourque has a strong grip on his trade: His soft, emotive singing voice slides out of the speakers effortlessly, and it's impossible to resist the simple emotional pull of cuts like All You Beautiful Girls and Fall In and Out. With his obvious talents, Bourque should shine within Canada's mainstream music engine."
- Steve Lalla, Montreal's HOUR / Ottawa's Xpress
For tour information and to listen to a few tracks from the upcoming album please visit: www.myspace.com/laurentbourque
Or
www.laurentbourque.com
For bookings in Montreal, please contact Jon Weisz:
jweisz@indiemontreal.ca
For press inquiries and bookings anywhere else in North America, please email
management@laurentbourque.com
