In 2009 an ethereal, melancholy voice attracted great attention on the Quebec music scene, the voice of Marie-Pierre Arthur. After many years as a backup musician and vocalist accompanying established artists (Ariane Moffatt, Karkwa) onstage and in the studio, she finally decided to pursue her own path as a singer-songwriter. Her eponymous first album, which she co-produced with François Lafontaine and Louis-Jean Cormier, placed her among the leading figures of new Quebec songwriting. Folk-rock with a touch at times of country, the music is sustained by lyrics that seek a balance between vivid imagery and storytelling, a winning combination that has captivated many.

In February 2012 she returned to the stage with her second album Aux alentours, where this talented bassist hooked up with her favourite collaborators. In addition to evoking the singer’s preference for collecting stories and melodies, the title is also a tip of the hat to her musicians and colleagues, each of whom makes an important contribution to crafting a folk-rock that reflects heaven and earth.

Since the much acclaimed release of Aux alentours, Marie-Pierre Arthur has won numerous awards. In 2012 she was awarded the Prix Félix-Leclerc for best new singer-songwriter during the FrancoFolies festival in Montreal, where she presented a magnificent concert rich in emotions. It was named best show seen at the Francos so far by Philippe Rezzonico (RueRezzonico.com), and the La Presse journalist Émilie Côté referred to her as the rock goddess. Her album was released in France by Polydor on September 24, 2012, and the song Fil de Soie from her Aux alentours disc was named as one of the 100 best songs of 2012 by the prestigious French magazine Les Inrocks. In addition to receiving 5 nominations for the 2012 ADISQ gala, Aux alentours was also included in a list of 40 albums nominated for the Polaris Music Prize, awarded annually to the best full-length Canadian album. After more than 80 dynamic performances of Aux Alentours, Marie-Pierre Arthur was nominated for song of the year at the 2014 ADISQ gala for Emmène-moi.

In the summer of 2014 Marie-Pierre Arthur returned to the studio with her colleagues François Lafontaine (producer) and Pierre Girard (mixing and sound engineer) to lay down tracks for her third album, which was released early in 2015. Accompanied by the writer Gaële and several talented musicians collaborating on the compositions and arrangements, Marie-Pierre has become more adventurous, venturing off the beaten path in creating this new work. Si l’aurore marks a new phase in her development as an artist, presenting a new and unique sound, the fruit of an ever more assertive musical personality.