LUMIÈRE, the solo project of singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Étienne Côté, unveils Simone, a tribute to his family’s dog, who passed away too soon following a terrible illness in October 2024. This song marks his first collaboration with Warren Spicer (Plants and Animals, Unessential Oils) as co-producer.
Simone is the portrait of an affectionate and playful dog… who could sometimes be moody and violent; she's bitten all of us before, and we've forgiven her every time, remembers Étienne. May she rest in peace, that poor, crazy thing. Amen.
Despite the somber nature of its subject matter, the track is brimming with life, much like the better days of the animal it celebrates. Its upbeat rhythm leads into a luminous chorus that dispels the clouds of grief, inviting us to remember all the unconditional love our departed pets brought us. The addition of fiddle and mandolin to the usual guitars and keyboards brings a pastoral touch to Simone’s feel-good groove, turning bittersweet memories into a bucolic celebration.
\nAbout LUMIÈRE
LUMIÈRE is Étienne Côté’s solo project, the free embodiment of a musical enlightenment shaped by rock music. The Montreal-based artist brilliantly masters the essence of nostalgia, transcending trends with a spectacular yet sensitive sound. Released in 2021, his first album, A.M.I.E.S.A.M.O.U.R, is a conceptual project at the crossroads of rock, folk and psychedelic pop.
GLAM, his sophomore album, was released in April 2023 via Bonsound. It was produced by Alexandre Martel (Lou-Adriane Cassidy, Hubert Lenoir), a prolific musician and record producer with whom Étienne also worked on the first record. Pushing the musical elements of its predecessor even further, this album presents a new, more assertive, exuberant and glamorous LUMIÈRE. Nominated in the Rock Album of the Year category at both the ADISQ Gala and the GAMIQ, GLAM led LUMIÈRE to perform on some of the biggest stages of his career.
In 2025, he offered a glimpse into his artistic evolution with the double single Fiou / Chronique d’une vie de merde, the first track of which earned a nomination for Single of the Year at the GAMIQ, and took a lighthearted detour with the holiday song Noël me prend par la main. Simone, his latest track, sets the tone for what’s to come.
Follow LUMIÈRE: Facebook / Instagram / YouTube / Bandcamp
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