In 2020, Canadian musician, DJ, and producer, CRi unveiled his highly anticipated debut album Juvenile. It turned out to be one of the most celebrated bodies of work to grace the electronic scene that year. Not only did it lead to millions of streams, but the following year he also became the first electronic act to win breakthrough artist at L'ADISQ and to headline the mainstage at the prestigious Montreal International Jazz Festival.
With the help of Anjunadeep, he released his sophomore album Miracles, and cemented his place as a star to watch and a future legend in Montreal. We discovered CRi all the way back in 2016 and it's beautiful to see how far he has come stylistically and throughout his career. Last month he introduced us to his latest project Hold You EP - a body of work that showcases a more atmospheric, lush side of his sound that transports us into a state of relaxation. Throughout this article, we dive into the making of Hold You EP, the meaning of his artworks, and more.
At which point in your life did you realize that the path of being an artist was something that was meant for you?
It's something that took shape over time, and I gradually became an artist by working on my art. I'd say it was around my twenties, when I really started to go further down that path.
What sort of an impact did it have on you when your mother encouraged you to leave university to chase your dreams? It’s not often that artists get that kind of support from their parents while studying.
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It gave me great confidence in my abilities. She supported me in my dream and I knew I could count on her during the more difficult moments. On the other hand, there was a deadline for this help, and she told me so.
How would you describe the electronic scene of Montreal during your upbringing, and how is it different today?
I'd say the Montreal scene has always been very diverse, but I don't think it's ever been characterized by a particular sound. To this day, I feel it's pretty much the same. I'd say Montreal stands out more for the quality of its artists than for its sound.
With so much applause and press around your debut album Juvenile, did you feel any kind of pressure to follow it up when you started creating your sophomore Miracles?
Absolutely, I found it quite difficult to make a second album with the awareness that I had to deliver something as good and ideally better. It pushed me to dig deep inside myself and push myself beyond my limits.
What is your approach to ensure that your sound continues to evolve?
I listen to a lot of music and I'm always looking to collaborate with people who take me out of my comfort zone.
How does the emotive single "Dark In This Room" tie into the overall concept and narrative of your upcoming EP?
Honestly, there's no real narrative to this EP. It's more the result of the little time I've had to make music this year. "Dark In This Room" has a special place in my heart, and has lulled me to sleep on many a sleepless night.
During the production process of Hold You EP, what was going on in your life and how did this influence your creative process?
This has been the most intense year of my life. Firstly, I had the immense good fortune to become a father. Then, following the release of my album, I toured the world with over 70 shows. Clearly, these two immense new experiences fed into the creation of the EP. I couldn't create whenever I wanted, so it was really the sum total of all those little moments of pause that enabled me to write the EP.
How are you trying to make people feel, or what kind of space are you wanting to put people in after they've experienced Hold You EP?
On the face of it, I don't really have any intentions about how people should feel when they listen to my music. It's really personal and up to them. Personally, when I listen to this EP I feel dreamy and motivated to be in action at the same time. I've been listening to it a lot while hiking solo and just contemplating the mountainous landscapes close to home.
Could you explain to us the meaning of your favorite term recently "Deep Chalet Music?" :)
This term always makes me laugh a little. It's actually a joke. Since I'm recognized as being part of the Deep House scene, I wanted to make a play on words with the term, but with my own reality. I live in the forest, so the term Deep Chalet seemed the best candidate. But who knows, maybe one day it'll be a real musical movement lol.
For years now, there has definitely been consistency throughout your artworks. What is the story behind this particular aesthetic, and how does it align with your overall artistic direction?
I'd say it's a natural, gradual process of working with the same people. Shout out to Will Arcand and Lian Benoit. Trial and error allow me to find something that makes me feel good and in which I recognize myself. I've always had a weakness for blur, bright colors, and elements. I think it's fundamental to present yourself with something that's singular but also stands the test of time, it's important to be easily recognizable, especially these days with the dizzying mass of content we're subjected to.
How do you know when to quit or stop pursuing an idea?
I rarely leave an idea early in the process, I'm very stubborn and I have to see it through to the end. Once finished, I'll leave it aside if I'm not sure and revisit it later. Sometimes I never revisit it, and sometimes it takes on a whole new form.
What's an area in your craft where you're feeling unsure about and really looking to improve on currently?
I'd really like to be able to be more disciplined, to find more time to create music, and especially to be able to create in conditions other than the comfort of my studio. I'd also like to integrate more people into my creative process, as I get a bit caught up in my solitude when I'm comfortable.
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