Ariane Racicot Discusses Her Latest Record ‘Danser avec le feu’

With the recent release of her sophomore album, Danser avec le feu (Dancing With Fire), Ariane Racicot has really put on display her musical evolution. The pianist and composer released the album in February, the follow-up to her acclaimed debut, Envolée. A step above her debut, Racicot continues to explore her innovative fusion of jazz, Latin, classical, and progressive rock. The album features eight new compositions that delve deeper into themes of resilience, environmental anxiety, and the love of life. Although she guides the ship, Racicot has a very capable team by her side. The album features her longtime collaborators, electric bassist Antoine Rochefort and drummer Guillaume Picard.

The album is an exploration of Racicot’s diverse musical background. She has been playing piano for most of her entire life. That led her to pursue it academically, earning her bachelor’s degree at the Université de Montréal and a master’s at McGill University. Racicot has been teaching jazz and classical piano since she was 16 years of age. She gets great joy out of passing on her own knowledge and getting children of all ages interested in piano and classical music. It’s not all classical with Racicot though. She also loves heavy metal and bands like Behemoth and Amon Amarth.

Today, we are pleased to be joined by Racicot to discuss her musical background, Danser avec le feu, her views on the current state of jazz, and much more.

How would you describe your own music?

Ariane Racicot: “I could describe my music as modern jazz that mixes genres such as fusion and Latin jazz, metal, progressive rock and classical music. With that second album, I had the idea of continuing to explore the fusion of genres, and this by keeping the acoustic sound of the piano mixed with the electric sounds of the bass.”

Who are your biggest influences?

“My main musical inspirations are pianists Hiromi Uehara and Tigran Hamasyan, two contemporary jazz artists who mix other styles, including classical and metal music. Several other modern jazz artists influence my compositional writing and sound aesthetics, including Avishai Cohen, Marialy Pacheco, Shai Maestro, and Aaron Parks. I can also mention Brad Meldhau and Tord Gustavsen, who inspire me very much with their rhythm and piano playing.”

How would you describe your creative process?

“Usually, I come up with a first idea while I’m jamming in solo. It’s either a random groove or the beginning of a melody with a few chords. Some ideas take shape more naturally than others. But for each piece, I have to put them aside and come back to them later. It can take several weeks to have the complete basic structure. Then I bring the new piece to my bassist and drummer, and it’s often in trio rehearsals that the song starts to make sense. Certain sections are removed or stretched, and we add details in terms of textures, orchestration, and dynamics. The arrangement part is done mostly with the band.”

Ariane Racicot ‘Danser avec le feu’ album artwork

Tell us about Danser avec le feu. What was your experience of making it? What went on behind the scenes?

“Danser avec le feu is an album that took me about two years to write and edit. Initially, as the relationship between the trio deepened, I was inspired to push the project further with them. The process was really fun. We took our time, we deepened into the research. We did a great pre-production, and we rehearsed like crazy, both in practice and during tours. Antoine (Rochefort) and Guillaume (Picard) had great ideas for adding and embellishing the pieces. We recorded the album in four days in the best studio I could find in Montreal (in which there was a nine-foot Steinway piano, so it helped a bit for inspiration in the studio!

“Even though we had practiced a lot and were ready for recording, the fact remains that my compositions are sometimes very demanding for everyone, and it took all of our energy to stay focused and inspired. As much as there are several complex written sections, I leave room for a lot of improvisation. Some pieces were more difficult to record than others (to the point where I often had to go for fast walks between takes to get some fresh air)… We finally got it, and we’re very happy with the result!”

What’s the best criticism you’ve ever received about your music or performance?

“I am truly happy to have received wonderful criticism about my music and my performances from the public, the media, and also my colleagues.

“One of the things that also encourages me a lot is the wonderful feedback I receive from musicians established here in Canada. What also touches me most is receiving wonderful feedback from listeners or spectators who express their enthusiasm and emotion. This is one of the reasons I make music: to bring a little happiness to people.”

For those not familiar with your band, can you tell us a little bit about yourselves?

“We are a trio from Quebec, Canada. I am originally from Montreal. When I started my jazz studies after high school, at 17, I met Antoine Rochefort, my bassist, and we immediately became friends. We never stopped playing together. I knew at that moment that I would later form my own trio. It took a few years to find the right drummer, Guillaume Picard. He joined the project towards the end of our bachelor’s degree at the University of Montreal. The musical and friendly chemistry was instantaneous. It didn’t take too long to record my first album, because I had found the musicians I wanted.”

Your new album, Danser avec le feu, has just been released. Now that it is complete, how do you feel about it, and what has been the response so far?

“I’m so proud that we managed to record these compositions. We really pushed our limits on this album. I know I gave all that I could. I think it’s a much more mature record than the first one, with strong melodies and grooves.

“So far, I’ve received very great reviews from the public and the media. The launch event in Montreal at the Cabaret Lion d’Or was a success (I was so delighted to see the venue full of people!).

“I’m sure we’ll have the opportunity to tour this album a lot. I can’t wait to present it everywhere.”

Ariane Racicot Trio, photo by Isabelle Vallée

Which do you enjoy the most: writing, recording, practising, or playing live?

“I write music so I can perform it live. I love the process of writing, practicing, and recording, but it’s really on stage where I want to be the most. It’s where I feel I’m completely free to express myself, and where I can push myself.”

What is the story behind the name of the new record?

“I decided to call my second album Danser avec le feu (Dancing With Fire) because it really captured best the spirit (and well, I really wanted a French title!). Overall, it’s quite a dynamic album. I also thought it was a title that truly reflected my passion for music, which I express through the eight pieces.

“Initially, the inspiration for the album’s almost eponymous piece, ‘Dancing With Fire,’ came from a specific visual moment. I went to see a Cirque du Soleil show, and there was a fire juggler’s act with some very rhythmic music that captivated me. When I wrote this piece, as well as every time I perform it, I keep that fire act in mind. It fills me with energy and inspires me to move forward.”

What do you think of the current state of the jazz genre?

“I think that contemporary jazz has been flourishing and growing for several years now. I’m discovering a lot of bands from all over the world, each bringing a different vision. They mix different elements or styles in their own way, and I find that very inspiring. The beauty of this jazz is that you can go in so many different directions.”

What has been the most memorable moment of your career so far?

“I was lucky to start my career in a strong way. I had a big highlight right from the start, after the release of my first album Envolée. I got the award ‘Révélation Radio-Canada Jazz 2022-2023,’ which allowed me to be invited to open for a legend in jazz, Wynton Marsalis, who came to play with the fabulous Lincoln Jazz Orchestra. So I presented a few pieces in front of 3,000 people for a start… It was very stressful, but very exciting too! It was, of course, unexpected for me, and it was an honor. I still can’t believe I did that.”

If you had an unlimited budget, where and with whom would you record your record? What about production and mastering? And why?

“Tough question! So hard to choose! There are so many artists I’d love to have on a record…

“When I think fast, the rhythm section of my dreams would be the incredible double-bassist Avishai Cohen and the virtuoso drummer Roni Kaspi. In a studio in Los Angeles or New York, why not?!”

Do you have anything you’d like to tell any fans reading right now?

“Thank you for listening and discovering me! I am happy to receive your feedback.”