Born and raised in France’s Midi, Isabelle Villeneuve grew up hearing a various mix French music influences, from lyrical songs to variety singers such as George Brassens, Boby Lapointe, Claude François and Carmen de Bizet.
Early on in her childhood, she would have fun learning with her schoolmates the lyrics to her favorite French songs from Michel Sardou, Johnny Hallyday, Joe Dassin, Alain Chamfort, Michel Berger, France Gall, Françoise Hardy, Daniel Balavoine, and many others. Her teenage years were rocked by English hits from Eurythmics, Simple Minds, Roxy Music, Dire Straits, Bowie, U2, Kid Creole and the Coconuts, Blondie and more.
In university, she discovered Patrick Bruel and drew inspiration to write her own songs from one of his first records. Today, Isabelle Villeneuve prefers songs that offer diversity and text richness. She still fondly appreciates her French counterparts like Alain Bashung, Art Mengo, Jean-Louis Murat, Francis Cabrel, Etienne Daho but also Zazie, Jean-Jacques Goldman, and the list goes on. Isabelle Villeneuve has been living in Quebec for the past 15 years, where she draws inspiration from some of the world’s prettiest voices.
Today, writing lyrics for songs she loves is how she freely expresses herself, sharing some of her soul’s deepest thoughts. Her life experience and creativity are lovingly offered to those she so happily chooses to work with.
Writing songs is both her nirvana and her pride! Some of Isabelle’s collaborations include : *** DOMINIQUE HUDSON – Album to come – J’ai oublié de t’oublier (Isabelle Villeneuve / Dominique Hudson) – Peine perdue (Isabelle Villeneuve / Chris Riopel) – Ouvre les yeux (Isabelle Villeneuve / Dominique Hudson) www.myspace.com/hudsondominique *** LES DANGEREUX soundtrack (with Stéphane Rousseau, Véronique Cloutier…) – Plus haut que moi (Isabelle Villeneuve / Stéphane Dufour) – La ballade des dangereux (Isabelle Villeneuve – Stéphane Dufour / Stéphane Dufour) *** MARIE-PIER PERREAULT – Album Parlez-moi – M’envoler, papillon (Isabelle Villeneuve / Stéphane Dufour) *** MARYSE – Album Maryse – Rêver (Isabelle Villeneuve / Michel F. April) listen to a clip at www.maryse.biz
