There is something that is really moving to me about an emotionally charged female voice. I don’t know if the music industry is so dominated by male vocalists that I just like a strong female vocalist when they come along, or maybe they bring something to the table musically that the guys just don’t have. I don’t know what it is exactly but I have always been moved by people like Hope Sandoval, Kate Bush, Annie Lenox, PJ Harvey and Jonnette Napolitano to just name a few. There is something mystical about a strong female voice that is enhanced, broadened and inspired by great music.
Leslie DuPre-Grimaud has the kind of voice that combines the strength of the above mentioned artists and elevates it to a completely different level. I can say with all honesty that I cannot think of anyone else that has the voice she does – she is that good. Her music accomplishes what few can in that it is such a powerful thing that it feels almost spiritual at times. When someone this good comes along I am surprised that they have not broken out in some type of broader success. You’ve no doubt heard her voice in the background on many of the artists that we cover here at Down The Line. She has worked with some of the best artists in the industry, but recently she has been given the opportunity to showcase her voice and talents on the Subdivision Records label.
Married to Herb Grimaud Jr. of Stranger Kings and Sound Gallery (as well as The Violet Burning, Raspberry Jam and The Kreepdowns), Leslie is hands down one of the most powerful female vocalists that I can think of…period! She was previously in the band Café Noire where she defined their sound with her haunting, deep and mesmerizing vocal style. In addition to her music Leslie also has a intriguingly dark and poetic style to her lyrics which describe and detail the human condition in a very mystical and intensely profound manner. This is true art, music that motivates and moves from a very deep place.
Can you give me a detailed history of Café Noire…who was a member, when you guys started, who was in the band, songs/lyrics credit, etc?
In the fall of 1987 musician Mike Brown placed an ad in the local Recycler…”Looking for a female singer influenced by Cocteau Twins and Kate Bush.” I responded to the ad. Later Mike & I met for coffee at a Denny’s restaurant. He was easy going and explained that he was looking for an artistic musical collaboration with a female vocalist. I proved to be that female collaborator by singing along with Kate Bush on a cassette player in front of him.
Cafe Noire was a 4-track band. Mike played synthesizers, guitar, and drum machines. I was given free reign to sing, write lyrics, and write the vocal melodies. A truly great gift for a small town girl who graduated from the dry windy deserts of Yucca Valley CA.
Cafe Noire evolved throughout its 5 year life span. My best friend, Danielle Mercado, would join the band playing bass, along with my twin sister Lorri Myers who would also sing. Later, Mel McGowan would join on guitar and bass and introduce me to the love of my life, the one & only Mr. Herb Grimaud, who was only 16 years old at the time.
Can you give me a list of other artists you have collaborated with, and what recordings you have been on?
Musically I can’t honestly say that I’ve collaborated with many artists over the years, however I did collaborate with Derri Daugherty and Steve Hindalong on a 2 song demo of my material “Monica” & “Who Was It”. It was a very wonderful, humbling experience and I’m so grateful that they offered for free, their studio & time.
As far as recordings, I’ve been blessed to sing background vocals on:
- At the Foot of the Cross Vol. 1
- Honey – Lost on You
- The Prayer Chain – Shawl
- Raspberry Jam – Oceanic & their first demo
- The Violet Burning – Chosen & Demonstrates Plastic & Elastic
- The Keepdowns – Take a Spin
- The Sound Gallery – Designed For Reading
Vocally, who are your musical influences?
My influences have always been the truly compelling, gutsy, alto-rich vibratos of singers such as Annie Lennox, Alison Moyet and Patsy Cline. They sing it like they mean it with a kind of conviction that sends shivers down the ladder of your spine. Other unique stylish artists such as Kate Bush, Elizabeth Fraser and Lisa Gerrard convinced me to embrace the vocal arts as an instrument. These individuals, unique unto themselves, are riveting – the mystery they create vocally is mesmerizing.
Do you also write the music for your newest tracks (Clover, Raven’s Song)?
Yes. All my material was written on my little cheap keyboard in my office. I’m a huge fan of transposing and simple chord progressions. Andy Prickett and Herb are responsible for the production. Andy does a lot of the heavy lifting (engineer, guitars, programming, etc). I’d be lost without their expertise.
How is the recording for Locust coming along, and will that be along the same lines stylistically as your other tracks? I saw on your face book page that Andy and Herb had recorded drum tracks, what direction will the song be heading in musically?
“Locust” is taking shape nicely. The song is by all standards… a ballad. Musically and stylistically the approach will be familiar. We’re still working out ideas. What’s best for the song will ultimately take
precedent, one of the many reasons why I love working with Andy and Herb.
How do you define/categorize your music?
I probably describe my music as visceral. I want people to see the stories I’m telling because that’s what the songs are, they’re short stories about a time, place, an experience. I’d like listeners to see the smudge of the fingerprint left behind on the glass, so to speak, but most importantly to relate to the song as if it were their own. I believe we’ve all drank from the same cup, our heartaches and even the trenches we’ve dug. If I sing about the fractured spirit of a broken man I saw sitting alone on a bus bench and everything his weary shoulders told me about his life, I want people to see him too.
Lyrically, your approach is poetic, do you write when you are not recording, and if so, have you ever thought of sharing what you write?
I’m constantly writing and entertaining ideas on notebook paper. Problem is… all the static in my brain. TOO much traffic if you know what I mean. Sure, I’d like to share what I write, but only if it’s effective and purposeful. Writing is maddening in a way. I can think of 15 different ways to destroy a sentence. Case and point : “She hissed, she haggled, she howled…” “Was it a hiss? Or was it a howl? Was SHE haggling?” Maddening indeed.
Can you tell the story behind the lyrics for your last 2 songs, they are exceptionally written.
The story behind the lyrics for “Clover” was inspired by feelings of fear and isolation. Some anger as well. That, and a ghostly black & white dream I had running through a field late at night, gave breath to the
song. I was so proud of Andy, Steve R, Jesse Nason, and Herb on that second chorus. MAN… it was like the death-kick, inspiring!!! When I put the headphones on to record the background vocals, they didn’t have to tell me to go for it because I was already there. Back in that field of fire, the heavens blacker than black and pricked with stars.
“Raven’s Song” came about quickly within 20 minutes with the help of my twin sister Lorri. The song is about the desire to forget what’s painful. Hence the line “Amnesia wrap me in your wings.” That a person
might do most anything to get away from emotional pain. They might steal or bleed or claw (self-medicate) just for the momentary bliss of forgetting.
Have you ever considered putting out songs that are acapella?
Most definitely. Would love to. I’ve spoken to Andy and Herb about it. I’m sure at some point we’ll have something along those lines.
Do you consider your music to be “art”, or do you classify “art” and “music” separately?
I view music as an artistic expression of one’s ideas, opinions, beliefs, etc. Therefore I consider art and music as one in the same.
In my opinion your music is very comparable to the people that you cited as musical influences. Your voice is emotionally charged, very rich and dense, and the mood that comes through can be very dark and/or very uplifting, both are great and very tangible when listening. Do you think that your music and the supernatural interact with each other, or do you see them as separate entities?
Because music is such a powerful force in my opinion there is little doubt that both coincide. As queer as it might sound to some, when creating a song or recording it, I live for those moments when the guarded walls unconsciously fall away. It’s like traveling through time. A flood of strength or great emotion never visible in my daily life takes over.
In addition to your musical influences, are there particular influences for you in literature art and film? If so, can you elaborate on those and why they are important?
Literature… (smiles) Does Dr. Seuss count? I love rhymes, sounds and plays on words. He was a huge influence in my tender years and no doubt still influences me today. I also enjoy reading L.M. Montgomery. Nowadays I’m more prone to ransacking crime paperbacks from the local grocery store than rifling through endless isles at the local library.
Art… Johannes Vermeer’s painting ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ haunts me and is a favorite. I could have a conversation with those eyes. My twin sister’s (Lorri J Myers) acrylic paintings move me as well.
Film favorites : “Somewhere in Time”, “The Whole Wide World” and “Remains of the Day”. I adore period pieces, I suppose they feed the romantic in me. I’m also fond of dusty Westerns with their panoramic wide open spaces, shoot-em’ up justice and rustic homesteads.
The David Lynch film “A Straight Story” with actor Richard Farnsworth… talk about the power of love! That movie means so many different things to me, one in particular it reminds me to never underestimate others.
Do you think it is possible that in the near future your tracks “Monica” and “Who Was It” might end up on bandcamp along with “Raven’s Song” and “Clover”? Any chance that any Cafe Noire material might get a re-release?
“Monica” would be easy to get on bandcamp but “Who Was It” will need to be transferred from DAT to digital before we can do that. At some point it will make it onto the site. We would like to remaster both tracks before getting them online.
Regarding Cafe Noire, Herb recently got some of the tapes from Mike Brown to put on bandcamp. A friend of ours will do a little bit of cleaning up on the cassettes before getting them online.
I know that Herb does “lists” and those are always fun… what are Your top 10 favorite albums?
Will a top 11 favorite songs do? Not necessarily in this order (I’m sure there are plenty more. This is just off the top of my head):
- Jorge Reyes “Plight”
- Tones on Tail “Burning Skies”
- Hunters & Collectors “Talking to a Stranger”
- Gary Numan “Cars”
- Yaz “Winter Kills”
- The Innocence Mission “Black Sheep Wall”
- Dave Gahan “Saw Something”
- Depeche Mode “Nothing’s Impossible”
- Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds “The Ship Song”
- The National “Bloodbuzz Ohio”
- 16 Horsepower “Burning Bush”
Anything that you would like to add that I might have missed or that you want people to know?
I like Boston Baked Beans candies.
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