French Touch —
“Le Voyage”, Erika Lernot
Jan 05
Inspiration is such an amazing thing! I was chilling at home after a long day at work and didn’t think my evening would be very productive when I stumbled upon a link to an interview that reminded me of a project I should have listened to and purchased a while ago. Erika Lernot is a beautiful and very talented French singer I discovered many years ago on MySpace (yes… you know, when it was a great way to discover new artists) and she was among the singers I checked out regularly and whose page I visited often to listen to the music, especially the incredible La Vague, which left such an imprint on my mind I still remember about it now. Time passed and I found her again on Facebook in the past few years and even if I haven’t been following her closely, I saw links here and there that enchanted my ears (and eyes, with her latest video). This project I was talking about at the beginning of the post is her debut EP, entitled Le Voyage (the journey), which came out last October. I don’t know how I managed to miss this release but I’m glad I was able to catch up and discover this musical gem today.
Four tracks deep, the EP clearly sounds like a journey, both musically and metaphorically, as we explore different rhythms, themes and atmospheres. While Oyaya (La joie !) opens the project with tons of positive vibrations, Si je te donnais raises the levels of energy a notch and got me to dance as if my body was possessed. I can’t dance but I still could move my body and probably invent some moves to the incredible rhythm and melody. Once again, the song is very positive and deals with a beautiful love story that transcends social status and expectations. I’m actually listening to this song right now and it’s quite fun, if only a bit difficult, to type on the laptop that is on my lap (doh!) while shaking all that I can in that position. The follow up, La dame de la mer is slightly calmer and a bit sad but incredibly beautiful and emotional, taking us on a different path and allowing Erika to explore different emotions, as well as deeper vocal ranges. Finally, we can enjoy Les jours d’été (summer days) with a lovely and once again uplifting song where the singer reminisces over those special moments when she can simply enjoy life, the sun and a somewhat slower pace. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the incredible talent of Siam Lee, Erika’s composer and guitarist, who provides the excellent musical background to this gorgeous project.
As I am on my third listen, I can feel my mood getting better and better every time and I have a feeling this EP will be all I listen to tonight, while smiling hard, dreaming, dancing and simply loving life.
To give you an idea of what Erika Lernot’s music is all about, let me share her video for Oyaya (La joie !) with you. You’re most welcome!
Now that you are completely hooked to Erika’s beautiful voice and uplifting music, all you have to do is run to iTunes or Amazon
and purchase Le Voyage. I know it’s in French, but hey, music is a universal language!