Today, we’re joined by Canadian singer-songwriter Félixe whose music blends raw emotion, poetic lyricism and a fearless sense of independence. Since 2018, this project has been a tribute to the artist’s late brother, Félix, whose memory lives on through her music. She’s been a distinct voice in the Quebec music scene, building up a sturdy reputation with her debut album and follow-up EP with local record label Rozaire. However, with her newest record, titled Hier nuit, Félixe pushes beyond her previously established boundaries to embrace her artistic instincts in full. Representing the independent nature of this album, standout single ‘Mount Unzen’ was inspired by the volcano-obsessed couple in the documentary Fire of Love. Félixe‘s ardent, indie-pop style captures the urgency of living authentically and chasing after your very own volcano. We wanted to learn more about this song, the album and this project as a whole, so we spoke with Félixe about those themes of determination, heartbreak, empowerment and vulnerability, as well as the importance of carving your own creative path.
Welcome to Unrecorded! For those who aren’t already familiar with Félixe, can you introduce yourself?
I have been a singer-songwriter performing under the name Félixe since 2018. Why Félixe? It is the name of the child my mother lost through miscarriage just before she became pregnant with me. I have always believed that Félix was part of me and that I should honour his life throughout mine.
I released a full album, Prélude, in 2019, followed by an EP, Les Jours Peureux, in 2021. Both were released on a Quebec based music label ”Rozaire”. However, for my most recent album, Hier nuit, I left that label to regain my independence. I believe that choosing a team you resonate with is crucial to creating your best music.
‘Mount Unzen’ was inspired by the National Geographic documentary Fire of Love, so what precisely about the story of Maurice and Katia Krafft moved you to write this song?
I was inspired by their choice to live an atypical life without children, a choice which I personally would never have made. I admire people who stand up for what they believe in, making choices based on how they want to live their life, rather than how they think they should live. My album marks a return to playing for fun, which is what I discovered watching the documentary Fire of Love.
The song explores the choice of living fully versus following traditional paths like parenthood. How did you translate such a profound theme into a rock song?
I think rock music has always been an effective way of conveying deeper messages. For example, Something in the Way by Nirvana.
In Mount Unzen, the guitars carry a sense of urgency, almost like the ticking clock of life, while the rhythm pushes forward relentlessly, symbolizing momentum and choice. The shape of the song is also unfamiliar to represent a non-traditional journey. The verses are quieter, playful and also serve as reflective moments that represent contemplation, exploding into a chorus that celebrates the freedom of choosing your own path.
Did you approach the songwriting or production of ‘Mount Unzen’ differently from the other tracks on your album Hier nuit?
My process was fairly different for this track because I usually write about what I know and almost never start a song inspired by another person’s story.
How do the themes of heartbreak and independence intertwine in your music?
When I started working on this album, I was signed to a label and in a relationship with someone I thought was the love of my life. However, as I was writing it, I left the label in order to regain my independence, as I simply didn’t resonate with their artistic vision. It didn’t feel like home.
Just like my ex wasn’t “mine” and didn’t make me feel safe anymore. After the breakup, I regained my independence by renting my first apartment on my own. A newfound pride and strength was ignited within me, prompting me to consistently trust my instincts, both in my professional pursuits and personal decisions.
My professional and romantic heartbreaks are very similar. The two are inseparable and have influenced each other.
Do you think it’s important to balance out external influences, like Joni Mitchell and Adrianne Lenker, with finding your own voice?
Although it’s important, I never think about that when I’m writing a song.
The artists I love inspire me, of course, but I always prioritise authenticity and finding my own truth. I strive to find what makes me feel that I alone could write a Félixe riff or song.
What specific sonic choices (guitars, rhythms, arrangements) helped you bring that liberated rock energy to life?
I started making music at a very young age, during a pretty turbulent time. When you’re that age, music that connects with you emotionally and speaks to you viscerally bands like Alexisonfire with songs about belonging, community and finding your own way hits you even harder. Everything feels amplified, and those influences have inevitably seeped into my current work. Despite not being a trained musician, I was drawn to both literature and catchy riffs, such as those in Nirvana’s ‘Come as You Are’. I tried to integrate these dual influences into ‘Hier nuit’. For this record, I embraced raw, unpolished textures: jagged guitar tones with a bit of grit, driving basslines that propel the songs forward, and drum grooves that maintain urgency without overcomplicating. The arrangements breathe with dynamics, sometimes stripping down to a single riff and sometimes exploding into layered walls of sound, so the songs carry both freedom and bite.
Collaboration is also at the core of my sound. I love working with my musicians, and in the studio everyone is involved in the creative process. It feels less like a solo artist leading a backing band and more like a genuine community creating music together.
I am deeply influenced by genres such as hardcore, post-hardcore, metal, punk, post-rock and emo. I think you can hear that influence in some of the songs, such as ‘Pars’. It’s not just a reference point; it’s something deeply rooted in me and how I approach sound, from riffs to baritone guitars. The baritone guitar and guitars tuned in alternate tunings play a significant role on this album, giving the impression that the guitar acts as a drone or voice itself.
When it came to the quieter songs on the album (J’aurais voulu), I thought about what I like about artists like Mount Eerie or Florist. It’s often the silences, the piano creaks and the raw emotion that capture my interest, rather than the production or tone.
What do you hope listeners feel when they hear this single? Would that be awe, sadness, empowerment or something else?
Ideally, I would like them to be interested in listening to the documentary and finding out more about the story of this volcanologist couple. I would be happy with anything that piques their curiosity. They might listen to more of my songs. Or they might discover the documentary.
Hopefully, it will inspire them to live life on their own terms, especially women.
So I would say ”empowerment”
If the Kraffts lived fearlessly at the edge of volcanoes, what is your “volcano”?
What a good question!
The risky, dangerous but necessary position I occupy in both my art and my life is…
I think my ‘volcano’ has always been my decision to make music in the first place. I grew up in an environment where it wasn’t really encouraged. But I couldn’t stay away from it. Standing at the edge of that tension between what was expected of me and what I knew I needed to do has defined my work.
For me, music is both the danger and the safety: it’s risky to devote yourself to something so uncertain, but it’s also the one place where I feel completely aligned with myself.
This contradiction is my volcano, where fear, risk, liberation and belonging all collide.
What’s next on the horizon for you?
I have two festivals coming up: Concerts de la Cité in my hometown (Sherbrooke) on August 30th and Festival des arts de la ruelle (Montreal) on September 5th. And then, I’ll be performing (full band) in small venues until December 2025. I’m currently working on new songs and plan to enter the studio in 2026 to work on another album.
You can also listen to ‘Mount Unzen’ in our Shades of Pop playlist.
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