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Mementos

by Alexis Normand

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1.
[wakaw’95] 00:30
2.
Tous les matins Paroles et musique par Alexis Normand Mes nièces me réveillent en sautant sur mon lit « Matante, c’est le matin! » Elles viennent de commencer une guerre de chatouillis Et de bisous-câlins On sort dehors Et je leurs mets d’la crème solaire On construit des châteaux d’sable Jusqu’à ce qu’une parte en colère Tous les matins, tous les matins. “It’s too early for their nap,” dit mon beau-frère en me passant Un café avec d’la crème. Souvent c’est lui qui se lève avec les enfants “It’s not even 8 am.” On partage le chalet De 750 pieds carrés Toute la famille élargie And another on the way Les petits mettent la table Même s’ils ne savent pas comment C’est tellement beau d’voir la façon qu’on Travaille ensemble maintenant Le bouquet de pissenlits est Dans le vase de maman Y’a tout ce dont j’ai besoin Tous les matins, tous les matins Pépère nous apporte des brioches à la cannelle Achetées chez Country Crossroads On se garoche tous en même temps pendant qu’elles Sont toujours chaudes On se chicane pour le beurre Mémère apporte un autre couteau Sur le quai en pyjamas On se lave les doigts dans l’eau Les petits mettent la table Même s’ils ne savent pas comment C’est tellement beau d’voir la façon qu’on Travaille ensemble maintenant Y’a le bouquet de pissenlits Dans le vase de maman Et leurs bisous-câlins Tous les matins, tous les matins
3.
Hidden Valley Music and Lyric by Alexis Normand The wind, with graceful temper, blows Across the open plains And over gravel roads I’m driving on a cloud of snow To hidden valley The morning sun and shadows draw Remnants of a time When glacial waters thawed Down to the Gulf of Mexico From hidden valley Oh, the tales these hills could tell Ones of dinosaurs and oil wells It’s so easy to feel small And unsure how I fit into it all Then a lone wolf disappears Into the frozen field After white-tailed deer I saw them graze a day ago In hidden valley Oh, the hills all care so well They know how to trust what time will tell I think I’m still hanging on Feels like I’ve been driving for so long And if I take in what’s left of the ice age, peeking through the snow Will I take in the balance unfolding in the hills below, And let my breath become a cloud, Untie the knots that have me bound, And finally, just sigh out loud, In hidden valley?
4.
Le doigt dessus Paroles par Alexis Normand, Musique par Alexis Normand et James Bunton Ou Ou Ou Ou Je n’sais plus si je mérite cette chance Si ma voix peut briser le silence, Prise dans la boîte qu’il faut cocher Qu’que chose semble mal placé Je ne remarque plus le poids constant De répondre à toutes les attentes Je n’veux plus mener ce combat Où est-ce que j’ai appris à faire ça? J’peux juste pas mettre le doigt dessus J’peux juste pas mettre le doigt dessus Ou Ou Ou Ou Je n’entends même plus mon cœur qui casse Quand on m’traite de personne de seconde classe J’savais pas qu’j’portais ce mal Quand est-ce qu’il est devenu normal? J’voudrais me tailler une meilleure place Mais j’trouve pas mon crayon ni mon efface Je n’peux plus tracer mes contours J’sais plus où j’suis dans mes détours Je suis devenue le flou de l’entre-deux, Le moi, le vous. Je suis le nœud Que j’traine partout, et je n’peux Juste pas mettre le doigt dessus J’peux juste pas mettre le doigt dessus J’peux juste pas mettre le doigt dessus Ou Ou Ou Ou x2
5.
Sans mots 03:32
Sans mots Paroles et musique par Alexis Normand Berce, berce, petit bébé Dans mes bras, toute la journée In and out of tender sleep Les secondes passent au ralenti Quand tu ouvres les paupières Mon cœur se gonfle de lumière Mes yeux se noient en t’regardant J’suis fière et j’ai peur en même temps J’sais pas quoi dire bébé My words all melt away Je suis sans mots quand ça vient à toi Berce, berce, ABC I wish that I knew how to say Cuddle time and cutie pie, Peak-a-boo and lullaby. I’ll look them all up one by one J’le fais pour nous, ma p’tite mignonne Berce, berce, one, two, three Compte sur moi, tendre chérie Je suis sans mots quand ça vient à toi J’t’offre ma fortune Plus grande que le ciel et la lune La voix de ma grand-mère Portée par ses enfants fiers Berce, berce petit enfant Chante fort ton bel accent Cette mélodie coule dans nos veines Elle suit les courbes de la plaine J’sais pas quoi dire bébé My words all melt away Je suis sans mots quand ça vient à toi
6.
7.
Leave 03:31
Leave Music and Lyrics by Alexis Normand I think I was crying on the bus I think I was crying on the bus cuz’ people just kept staring I think I was crying over us My sister was on the line with me My sister was on the line with me asking if she should worry My sister was a lifeline for me After the surge you were so kind Making it harder every time I tried to leave you and your vicious circle You were so good at picking fights You were so good at picking fights and I could feel them coming You were so good at being right I got really good at giving in I got really good at giving in and gave too many chances You did what you could to wear me thin Checking the history on my phone Never allowed to leave alone There was no way out of your vicious circle After the surge you were so kind Making it harder every time I tried to leave you and your vicious circle Deep down when I would listen I could hear her shout: “You’ve got to get yourself out” Deep down when I would listen I knew that she was right, I had tried with all my might But being with you got way too hard I was so anxious and on guard Never allowed to leave alone You were checking the history on my phone And playing down every harsh exchange Pleading with me, this time you’ll change That’s when I saw right through your vicious circle After the surge you were so kind Making it hardest the last time I managed to leave you … Leave, leave Leave, leave
8.
9.
À plus jamais Paroles et musique par Alexis Normand Pour qui te prends-tu? D’accuser ma maman De n’faire aucun effort Avec nous, ses enfants. « I do not speak French » Elle dit si souvent Je porte déjà son malaise Et je n’ai que huit ans. Je dois enfin me libérer de tout ça J’entends toujours Chuchoter à haute voix Comme dans la cour d’école Où tu m’pointais du doigt. Pour qui te prends-tu? Le temps t’a tendu Ton discours est fané Et ne me parle plus Je dois enfin me libérer de tout ça Je dois enfin me libérer de tout ça Et de toi, et de toi. Je me promets De lutter autrement Car j’n’ai plus l’énergie D’camoufler mon accent Je dois enfin me libérer de tout ça Je dois enfin me libérer de tout ça Et de toi, oh de toi. Ça commence par moi Ça commence par moi Je ne veux plus juger, juger comme tu fais Je ne veux plus juger, comme tu fais Je ne veux plus juger, mais j’le fais Je ne veux plus juger, comme tu fais À plus jamais x5
10.
The Night Before je t’aime Music and lyrics by Alexis Normand The gentle rain and soft moonlight Fall on the tent, our home tonight Tucked underneath our wool duvet Your slumber dreams the hours away You keep me warm as you hold me through the night Oh, what a day we had once more The lake and woods outside the door Where hiking trails, are just yours and mine And wild grass smells like summertime This feels so right; like nothing I have known before You feel so right; like nothing I have known before I lay awake again Because I want to say, je t’aime I just can’t seem to unwind I replay us in my mind The glowing warmth and blushing skies Dance on your lips and dozing eyes This morning light may soothe my chest But spinning thoughts won’t slow to rest Is this meant to be? What does that even mean? Laying here is so damn easy Et je ne dors plus la nuit I lay awake again, The night before, je t’aime.
11.
Roots and Wings Music and lyrics by Alexis Normand I remember as a child I would jump for many hours On inner tubes from tractor tires Floating on a lake I was never very wild And always willing to push harder I get that from my father Who won’t settle for a break Ou ou I remember as a teen I left home in an airliner And my parents hid a letter In my carry-on I was only seventeen But reading their words made me stronger And kept me honest like my mother Who cries when I am gone Oh, they gave me wings so I can fly on, keep dreaming And they gave me roots so I can land home for safekeeping I’m still working through the shame That makes me feel much weaker I get that from a teacher Who never learned my name Then I remember my grand-mère When, out of nowhere she looked over She said: “You’re bound for something greater, I’ll pray for you ma chère” I know, that I’ve wings so I can fly on, keep dreaming I know, that I’ve roots so I can land home for safekeeping These roots run deep My heart they keep These roots run deep My heart they keep
12.
13.
Empty Arms 03:38
Empty Arms Music and Lyrics by Alexis Normand with collaboration of Farideh Olsen and Allyson Reigh I see you with wide eyes Planning for your baby Hope and light aglow Excited for tomorrow But his little beating heart Will stay a world apart His gentle kicks inside Reminders he’s still with you It’s why you love him every day Despite what doctors say And when it’s time for goodbye We’ll rally by your side I wouldn’t have your faith. Where do you find your grace? How can you be so strong, At home with empty arms? And you dear little one Whose light drew us together And softened the divide Teaching siblings to be kind You’re one less reason to doubt Life knows how to work itself out I wouldn’t have their faith Where do they find their grace? How can they be so strong, Without you in their arms? I wouldn’t have their faith Where do they find their grace? How can they stay so strong, Without you in their arms?
14.
Roots and Wings Music and lyrics by Alexis Normand I remember as a child I would jump for many hours On inner tubes from tractor tires Floating on a lake I was never very wild And always willing to push harder I get that from my father Who won’t settle for a break Ou ou I remember as a teen I left home in an airliner And my parents hid a letter In my carry-on I was only seventeen But reading their words made me stronger And kept me honest like my mother Who cries when I am gone Oh, they gave me wings so I can fly on, keep dreaming And they gave me roots so I can land home for safekeeping I’m still working through the shame That makes me feel much weaker I get that from a teacher Who never learned my name Then I remember my grand-mère When, out of nowhere she looked over She said: “You’re bound for something greater, I’ll pray for you ma chère” I know, that I’ve wings so I can fly on, keep dreaming I know, that I’ve roots so I can land home for safekeeping These roots run deep My heart they keep These roots run deep My heart they keep

credits

released September 15, 2023

ALBUM CREDITS/LINER NOTES

Produced & Mixed by James Bunton
Engineered by Chris Stringer at Union Sound Company - Studio A
Assisted by Darren McGill
Additional engineering by James Bunton at Union Sound Company - Studio B, Robbie Grunwald at Raventape Music Room and Alexis Normand at home
Strings arranged and recorded by Drew Jurecka at Small Dog Sound
Field recordings by Alexis Normand, Elise Normand, Bernard & Sandy Normand
Mastered by Heather Kirby at Dreamlands Mastering

MUSICIANS:

Alexis Normand: vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, piano, percussion
Joshua Van Tassel: drums, percussion
Mark McIntyre: bass
Robbie Grunwald: keys, piano, vibraphone
Christine Bougie: acoustic and electric guitars, lap steel
Drew Jurecka: violin, viola
James Bunton: percussion, ornamentations


PHOTOGRAPHY & ARTWORK:

Art Direction by Bronwin Parks at Feisty Creative
Photography by Nicole Romanoff
Styling by Maygen Kardash
Makeup by Hunter Pickering
Hair by Kara Firman


SONGWRITING:

All songs written and composed by Alexis Normand except: Empty Arms (co-written with Allyson James-Loth and Farideh Olsen) and Le doigt dessus (music co-written with James Bunton)

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CRÉDITS DE L’ALBUM/ MENTIONS

Réalisé & mixé par James Bunton
Ingénieur : Chris Stringer chez Union Sound Company - Studio A
Assisté par Darren McGill
Ingénierie additionnelle par James Bunton chez Union Sound Company - Studio B, Robbie Grunwald chez Raventape Music Room et Alexis Normand chez elle.
Cordes arranges et enregistrées par Drew Jurecka chez Small Dog Sound
Enregistrements terrains par Alexis Normand, Elise Normand, Bernard & Sandy Normand
Mastering par Heather Kirby chez Dreamlands Mastering

MUSICIENS :

Alexis Normand: voix, guitares acoustique et électrique, piano, percussion.
Joshua Van Tassel: batterie, percussion
Mark McIntyre: basse
Robbie Grunwald: claviers, piano, vibraphone
Christine Bougie: guitares acoustique et électrique, lap steel
Drew Jurecka: violon, alto
James Bunton: percussion, ornementations


PHOTOGRAPHIE & GRAPHISME :

Direction artistique par Bronwin Parks chez Feisty Creative
Photographie par Nicole Romanoff
Stylisme par Maygen Kardash
Maquillage par Hunter Pickering
Coiffure par Kara Firman

AUTEURS-COMPOSITEURS :

Paroles et musiques par Alexis Normand, sauf Empty Arms (co-écrite avec Allyson James-Loth et Farideh Olsen) et Le doigt dessus (music co-écrite avec James Bunton).

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Alexis Normand Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Musicienne au cœur chaud, Alexis Normand nous arrive avec le vent envoûtant des plaines. Ses textes soigneusement ficelés, chantés d’une voix limpide et sensuelle, sont une caresse pour les oreilles.

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Alexis Normand delivers music brimming with warmth and vulnerability. Her soulful voice and jazz-folk melodies recall the soft prairie wind and the enchanting glow of the living skies.
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