Montreal Morning News host Richard Dagenais is a bit of a dark horse: last weekend, he was at the historic Studio Victor in Montreal, laying down a few tracks.
He sat down for a quick Q & A about the recording session and shares a few personal details some viewers may not be aware of.
What inspired you to get into the studio recently?
I hadn’t been in a recording studio for my own project in ten years, for a variety of reasons. I had written a couple of new songs and wanted to try to record some covers, which I’d never done before. One of my main motivations going into the studio this time was to get some of my music on YouTube! I’m really excited to have done that, with Matt’s help.
Studio recording can be an expensive endeavour and it’s a constant battle to stop myself from going in every week and blowing fortunes I don’t have!
How long have you been playing guitar for?
By the time I picked up a guitar at the age of 15, I had been drumming for a few years. I taught myself how to play and have become what I’d describe as a pretty solid rhythm guitar player. I have a few guitars at home, but recently splurged and got myself a Godin, which I used for the session!
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Do you play any other instruments?
Along with drums and guitar, I play lots of percussion instruments, such as bongos, congas, djembe and tambourine. I can play chords on piano, along with some basic melodic lines and have learned and performed solos on recorder and harmonica.
Why did you choose ‘Mad World’? Do you have a special connection to the song?
I enjoy singing ‘Mad World’ along with loads of other songs! I like being able to switch octaves after the first verse and it’s an easy song to get passionate about when you’re performing it. I like the message because, hey, it can be a pretty mad world out there!
The biggest challenge recording any song, for me, is not to overproduce it! Left to my own devices, I would have put more backing vocals, more guitars, perhaps some keyboard tinkering, more percussion, just more, more, more! I have no problem singing and probably should have done more than the one and only take you see in the video shot and edited by Matt (Morning News editor and director).
How did you find recording in a studio where such amazing Quebec acts have also played?
I had been to Studio Victor several years ago to do a feature story and knew a little bit about its history in our city and was also impressed at how visually stunning it is inside. The wood gives it a very warm feeling and worked well with my hope to have part of the session filmed. Studio Victor is well equipped and it’s a comfortable place to record.
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