Melanie Brulée performing in Cornwall August 3

Shawna O'Neill, TC Media
Melanie Brulée performing in Cornwall August 3

CORNWALL, Ontario – Melanie Brulée, a singer-songwriter who was raised in Cornwall, will be performing at Schnitzels European Flavours on Aug. 3 at 7 p.m.

“The more I spend time away from Cornwall, I realize what an amazing part of the world it is that you can live financially cheaper than most places,” said Brulée. “You’re so easily connected to Ottawa, Montreal, New York, Toronto – I mean, the world is your oyster and it’s so much cheaper to live in Cornwall…I’m realizing what an amazing place I’m from.”

Brulée is releasing her second solo album in September: Fires, Floods & Things We Leave Behind. This will be the first album she produced on her own with her band, and her first solo album in English, as her debut album Débridée was in French. The single ‘Whiskey & Whine’ will likely be the first release from the album in early August.

Apart from her solo work, Brulée often performs in bands and duos. She has been on collective albums, extended play records and a number of projects with numerous artists. She has also released cover songs, and recently two covers of ‘These Boots Are Made For Walkin’’ on Friday, July 6.

Country music wasn’t something that Brulée was ever particularly interested in, until she moved to Toronto and was asked to play in a country music band. This experience, and growing up listening to country music, influenced Brulée’s upcoming album.

“This album has a Cornwall connection in a few different ways…My mother loves anything that has to do with country music, especially classic country music. She introduced me/force-fed me country music growing up, and I really didn’t like it at the time,” said Brulée.

Brulée believes her new album has more of an americana or spaghetti western sound, instead of pop country. She also likes that the songs are more easily reproduceable with a lot of acoustic guitar, instead of heavy synthesizers, which were frequently featured on her first album.

“Maybe nature and being outside has influenced this album a little bit more than the rebellious rock thing,” said Brulée. “This is definitely a bit more grounded, a bit more rootsy…probably just a representation of where I am in my life, and feeling a little more settled in who I am.”

Themes of sobriety are common on Brulée’s new album, as it is a path many of her friends have taken, which she commends. Brulée wrote a lot of the songs while on a road trip, and with bandmates in Nashville.

To ensure you will get the new album, Brulée suggests signing up for her mailing list. She plans to launch a pre-order campaign soon that will offer different items and experiences, along with an album. Some bundles will include horseback riding together, creating custom perfumes and celebrating with champagne, and spending a night on the town together in Nashville while staying at her home.

“I was thinking about what it is I want in my life, and it always comes down to an experience is worth way more than any thing somebody can provide,” said Brulée. “So I wanted to return the favour and keep that thing going.”

Additionally, Brulée has recently worked with Patrick Drouin, a tattoo artist from Cornwall, designing some merch for her. Drop Dead Thread in Cornwall will also screen print merchandise. Brulée is excited that she has connections in Cornwall, and hopes to grow them to potentially shoot a music video.

Brulée’s music is available on various platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music. She has a Youtube channel and a Facebook page, as well as a website www.melaniebrulee.com

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