On Sept. 4, 2024, Audiogram, the most “major” of Québec’s independent labels, celebrated its 40th Anniversary with a reception in its new offices in downtown Montréal. It was an opportunity for the label’s founders, Michel Bélanger, Rosaire Archambault, and Alain Simard, to commemorate some of the most memorable moments of what quickly became one of Québec’s leading cultural enterprises, and to highlight the label’s current strengths and continued relevance, even 40 years later, thanks to the leadership of Philippe Archambault.
The celebration of Audiogram’s 40th anniversary in their offices was an opportunity to pay tribute to Paul Piché, the first artist signed by the label; a meeting room will now bear his name.
Audiogram in numbers:
- 513 albums released
- Over 12 million albums sold in Canada and abroad
- Over 1.5 billion streams
- 88 tours, totaling more than 3,500 shows and nearly 250,000 tickets sold
- 6 Double-Platinum albums
- 23 Platinum albums
- 58 Gold albums
- 203 Félix (ADISQ) Awards, including 135 presented to artists signed to the label, one special award presented to Michel Bélanger, and 67 trophies awarded to the label
- 60 SOCAN Awards for songs, including No. 1 awards and SOCAN Classic awards
- 2 SOCAN Publisher of the Year awards for Editorial Avenue
- 9 JUNO Awards
- 1 Polaris Music Prize
- 6 Félix-Leclerc Song Awards 18 GAMIQ Awards
From Audiogram’s first release — Paul Piché’s Nouvelles d’Europe — to its most recent productions, the label’s catalogue boasts some of the most important crown jewels on Québec’s musical history. From Daniel Bélanger’s Rêver mieux and Les insomniaques s’amusent to Michel Rivard’s Un trou dans les nuages, to Richard Séguin’s Double vie, and unforgettable albums by the likes of Laurence Jalbert, Vilain Pingouin, Beau Dommage, Jean Leloup, Bran Van 3000, Pierre Lapointe, Isabelle Boulay, Mara Tremblay, Ariane Moffatt, and dozens of others, so many albums have moved music lovers in Québec and elsewhere, thanks to a team fully and completely dedicated to the development of their artists.
We felt like mingling generations, and asked five artists on Audiogram’s current roster what it means to them to be a part of this illustrious musical family, given the label’s history and significance on Québec’s scene. We also asked them to cherry-pick their single most significant album from the label’s catalogue. Here’s what they told us:
JASON BAJADA:
“It’s an unbelievable honour to be on Audiogram, a true pillar of Francophone music. It’s given me the opportunity to explore this dimension of my music with absolute freedom, even though at first, I was super-intimidated to explore that dimension. It was like a leap of faith, but finding myself a labelmate of artists like Daniel Bélanger, Isabelle Boulay, and Pierre Lapointe is an indescribable experience.”
His most memorable Audiogram release: “Daniel Bélanger’s Les Insomniaques s’amusent. It was the first Francophone album in my house, in 1992. It was part of my regular rotation, alongside Michael Jackson, Guns & Roses, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Young Jason, at 11, would never have imagined he would create music for the same label as that masterpiece.”
MARILYNE LÉONARD :
“First of all, it was like a dream come true for me to sign with a label, and have a team that supports me. But it’s even better when that label has a roster of artists that have made such an impression, and inspired me, like Jean Leloup, Pierre Lapointe, Bernhari, and Peter Peter. It’s rewarding to have been chosen as one of their peers by one of Québec’s most important record labels!”
Her most memorable Audiogram release: “Bernhari’s Île Jésus changed me profoundly when I was starting my career. I was 18, and I was just getting into analog synths, and it’s after hearing that album that I wanted to have some in my own songs. That album also influenced me deeply, production-wise.”
CINDY BÉDARD :
“Audiogram is synonymous with the true way of thinking and feeling [about] music. Everyone who works there has the same respect for artists, their work, and their very essence. Being part of the Audiogram roster is a good representation of the country side of me, because that institution shares [my view of] how important it is to do things honestly, with humanity, and truthfully. The fact that I was signed as a country act 10 years ago, and I’m still there now, is a testament to the label’s commitment and heart.”
Her most memorable Audiogram release: “Isabelle Boulay’s De retour à la source, released in 2007. I sang on one of that’s album’s songs, and I was mesmerized by Rick Haworth’s guitar work and production. I’m very privileged to work with him now. It was on that album, [recorded] when I was in my early twenties, that I allowed myself to dream that I, too, I would be an Audiogram artist one day.”
COMMENT DEBORD (Rémi Gauvin) :
“It’s an honour and a great mark of confidence because, after all, Audiogram for me is Jean Leloup, Karkwa, and Daniel Bélanger.”
Her most memorable Audiogram release: “I’d say probably Jean Leloup’s Le Dôme because it’s such a major album in Québec’s musical history. I’ll never forget when I discovered Leloup’s rich imaginative universe, when I was still a teenager; it completely bowled me over.”
“When I think about Audiogram, I feel at home. We’ve been collaborating for 14 years now, and I will always be grateful that they provided me, for each of my albums, the most amazing creative contexts. That level of confidence is precious.”
Her most memorable Audiogram release: “That’s way too hard! I’d say Mara Tremblay’s Tu m’intimides. It’s an album where each instrument, taken separately could be a song in itself, and together they create an album that’s simply magical. The production is grand, the songs are grand, and Mara’s presence is impeccable.”
Discover Audiogram artists’ top songs in these playlists created by the team.