Folk, Pop

Etienne Dufresne makes music to sing what he cannot say. Etienne Dufresne is the son of a father who loves cats and a mother who prefers dogs. Etienne Dufresne makes an effort.

The Montreal-based singer-songwriter entered the Quebec music scene in 2020 with his debut EP, Sainte-Colère, released under Chivi Chivi. Nominated in the Indie-Rock EP of the Year category at the 2020 GAMIQ, the micro-album was quickly followed by his first full-length record, Excalibur, released in 2021. Produced by Félix Petit (Hubert Lenoir, Les Louanges, Laurence-Anne), the album introduced Quebec audiences to a bold artist, unafraid to say what he wants to say and do what he wants to do. His vivid lyrics craft songs that feel like a mix between a diary and a coloring book—disarmingly honest, timeless, and stripped-down.

2022 was a milestone year for Etienne Dufresne, earning nominations for the Félix-Leclerc Prize and the Lucien Award for Revelation of the Year at the GAMIQ, while also being part of Petite-Vallée’s Chansonneurs cohort. That same year, he opened for French artist Eddy de Pretto at the MTELUS and made waves with a notable collaboration with Ariane Roy, JE RESPIRE, a catchy and uninhibited pop track.

Etienne returned as a solo artist in May 2023 with the double single Canal Évasion / Bébé. On October 17, he released the single Dans ma tête, heralding the arrival of his second album, Etienne Dufresne fait des efforts, set to release on January 26, 2024. Produced by Alexandre Martel (Hubert Lenoir, Lou-Adriane Cassidy, Thierry Larose, LUMIÈRE...), the folk- and pop-tinged album reveals an artist more candid than ever, offering a deeply sincere self-portrait.