Cœur de pirate

Cœur de pirate
Thesupermat · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Béatrice Martin
Stage name	Cœur de pirate
Birth name	Béatrice Martin
Birth date	1989-09-22
Birth place	Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Occupation	Singer-songwriter, pianist, record producer
Years active	2007–present
Label	Grosse Boîte, Dare to Care Records, Interscope Records
Instruments	Piano, vocals, guitar

Cœur de pirate

Béatrice Martin is a Canadian singer-songwriter and pianist from Montreal known for releasing francophone and anglophone albums that blend pop, indie pop, and chanson. Her work has intersected with artists and institutions across Canada, France, and Belgium, and she has performed at venues and festivals such as Les Francos de Montréal, Festival d'été de Québec, and Glastonbury Festival. Martin has collaborated with producers and musicians associated with labels including Dare to Care Records and artists like Nicolas Jaar, Alexandre Desplat, and Patrick Watson.

Early life and education

Béatrice Martin was born in Montreal, Quebec, and studied classical piano at regional conservatories before attending programs linked to institutions such as the Université de Montréal and local conservatoire networks. She trained in repertoire associated with composers like Frédéric Chopin, Claude Debussy, and Maurice Ravel, while participating in youth ensembles that performed works by Ludwig van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Franz Schubert. During adolescence she was influenced by francophone songwriters from France and Quebec such as Serge Gainsbourg, Édith Piaf, Joe Dassin, Gilles Vigneault, and Plume Latraverse. Her early musical environment included exposure to Canadian scenes tied to venues like Place-des-Arts and festivals connected to presenters such as Festival International de Jazz de Montréal.

Musical career

Martin launched her recording career amid a Montreal indie pop milieu that included musicians affiliated with Arcade Fire, Patrick Watson, and labels such as Arts & Crafts Productions and Paper Bag Records. Her debut self-titled album gained traction through online platforms and was promoted alongside tours visiting cities like Paris, Brussels, Toronto, and New York City. She has toured with or opened for artists including Jane Birkin, Lana Del Rey, St. Vincent (musician), Ben Folds, and The National. Collaborations and remixes have connected her work to producers and bands such as Danger Mouse, Beck, Deadmau5, Imogen Heap, and M83. Martin has recorded in studios used by artists like Arcade Fire and worked with engineers linked to Concord Music Group and Universal Music Group. She has contributed music to media tied to franchises and productions like Assassin's Creed (soundtrack placements), film projects with composers such as Alexandre Desplat, and television series broadcast by networks including CBC Television and Radio-Canada. Her touring and festival appearances have included billing at Coachella, SXSW, Les Trans musicales, and headline dates at venues like Olympia (Paris), Le Métropolis, and Royal Albert Hall (guest slots).

Artistic style and influences

Martin's artistic style synthesizes elements from francophone chanson traditions exemplified by Jacques Brel, Françoise Hardy, and Charles Aznavour with indie pop aesthetics associated with Sufjan Stevens, Feist, and Belle and Sebastian. Her piano-based arrangements recall techniques found in works by Erik Satie and Claude Debussy, while production choices reflect contemporary pop trends credited to producers such as Max Martin and Mark Ronson. Lyrically, she engages narrative modes reminiscent of Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell, and her vocal phrasing shows affinities with Norah Jones and Adele. Visual and album art collaborations have linked her to photographers and designers connected to galleries and institutions like Centre PHI and publications such as Pitchfork, NME, and Rolling Stone (magazine). Her bilingual repertoire positions her within scenes spanning France, Belgium, Switzerland, and the Francophonie alongside contemporaries like Zaz (singer), Stromae, and Coeur de Pirate contemporaries.

Discography

Studio albums: - Cœur de pirate (2008) — released via Dare to Care Records, charted in France and Canada, produced with engineers tied to Studio Victor. - Blonde (2011) — featured singles promoted by labels connected to Interscope Records and collaborations with artists performing at Les Francos de Montréal. - Trauma (2014) — an anglophone project recorded with session musicians linked to Nashville and producers who have worked with Emeli Sandé and Florence and the Machine. - Roses (2015) — toured in Europe and North America with dates at Glastonbury Festival and Osheaga Festival. - En cas de tempête, ce jardin sera fermé (2018) — returned to francophone songwriting with arrangements involving classical instrumentalists tied to ensembles such as the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. - Impossible à aimer (2021) — included collaborations with songwriters and producers associated with Quebec City studios and artists from Montréal's indie scene.

Selected singles and EPs include tracks issued with remixes by DJs linked to labels such as Kitsuné and Ed Banger Records. Compilations and soundtrack contributions have appeared in releases associated with Sony Music Entertainment and soundtrack producers for films at festivals such as Cannes Film Festival and TIFF. Guest appearances include recordings with Patrick Watson, songwriting contributions alongside Lisa LeBlanc, and features on compilations produced by CBC Music.

Awards and recognition

Martin has received accolades from institutions including ADISQ nominations and wins, recognition at the Juno Awards for Best New Artist categories, and awards tied to francophone music organizations such as Victoires de la Musique nominations. She has been shortlisted for songwriting prizes associated with foundations like the SOCAN Awards and has been honored at cultural events organized by Canada Council for the Arts affiliates. Media recognition includes coverage and year-end lists in publications like The Guardian, Le Monde, and The New York Times, and nominations for music video awards presented by bodies such as MTV Europe Music Awards and Quebec Cinema Awards for soundtrack placements.

Category:Canadian singer-songwriters Category:Musicians from Montreal