City Scenes - Quebec

Quebec City is the capital of the french-speaking province of Canada with the same name. It has a population of just over 500,000 people. In today's instalment of City Scenes we hear from some of the more notable names to come out of the city over the years going back to the 1970s and then finish up with some cool artists that are carrying the torch for the city’s music scene these days.

Diane Tell is perhaps the most famous artist from Quebec City. Emerging in the 1970s, she has had a long and celebrated career. From a very young age Diane Tell was recognised for her musical ability. She writes and produces all of her own material, she’s released 15 albums to date and toured all over the world. She remains active to this day and these days offers help to young musicians and producers through her blog called ‘Diane Cause Musique’ on which she shares insights and advice about music production and working in the music industry.

Unlike Trip hop in Bristol or Turkish psych rock in Istanbul, or of course dub and reggae in Kingston, Quebec doesn't have a sound attached to it for which the city is particularly famous. All the artists we hear from today seem to stand out for doing their own thing rather than belonging to a particular scene in Quebec.

If you were in Quebec and wanted to check out some live music we would recommend you have a look what’s going on in places like the Imperial Bell, a great old music venue in the Saint Roche district of the city centre that caters mainly to a Rock crowd. Or literally two doors down the street you have a venue called Le D’auteil, a legendary local venue that showcases the cities up and coming bands, If you’re looking for something bigger, perhaps to catch a touring artist or a well established local artist then you can head to the Theatre Capitole.

This episode of City Scenes wraps up with a track by Alicia Moffet, an up and coming pop star from Quebec who has already achieved big things in Canada and is looking likely to follow the footsteps of Diane Tell as a world conquering pop star from the city.