Following the release of Nouvelle administration, his first single in six years, Philippe B presents Pauline à la ferme, a folk song with heartfelt lyrics that evokes the major questions inherent to starting a family life. The singer-songwriter also announces the release of his long-awaited sixth album, also titled Nouvelle administration, due out on May 26th, as well as several tour dates.
Pauline à la ferme is available on all music services.
Pre-order/pre-save Nouvelle administration (CD, vinyl and digital) now.
Pauline à la ferme is about a new father becoming aware of the weight and impact of his decisions. It’s the daunting prospect of making a decisive choice: Where is this child that we brought into the world going to grow up? Philippe B demonstrates his devotion to his child’s happiness while evoking contrasting sceneries, from the urban panorama of the Berri-UQAM metro station to the landscapes of the ''multicolored Laurentians'' and those of his birthplace, Abitibi-Témiscamingue.
Watch and share the Pauline à la ferme visualizer via Youtube.
Philippe B found the inspiration to write this new album, which is primarily focused on the changing dynamics and cycles of life, through the process of becoming a father. With his vulnerable poetry, which is emblematic of his penchant for autofiction, the singer-songwriter offers a touching album, in which the pronouns "you" and "we" acquire entirely new meanings.
The core focus in my writing has changed. There's no longer the guy-girl dynamic of seduction or breakup, explains Philippe B, who spent nearly four years writing and composing this sixth opus. The "you" can refer to my child as well as my partner, and the "we" can include three people. This new dynamic is portrayed in a raw and picturesque way with Philippe B's trademark sensitive and modest writing style.
On June 10th, Philippe B will be performing at the Francos de Montréal. His show is already sold out. On June 18th, it will be the Festival de la chanson de Tadoussac's turn to welcome him. A tour that will take him across Quebec will follow this fall and in the winter of 2024. See the list below for all the show dates.
About Nouvelle administration
Inspired by Barbara, Félix Leclerc, Claude Léveillée, Simon and Garfunkel, Neil Young and Gilberto Gil, among others, Philippe B brings back his simple guitar compositions and more complex string arrangements on Nouvelle administration, offering folk songs of varied influences. Conceived with the participation of several outstanding musicians, such as Guido del Fabro (violin), Émilie Laforest (vocals), José Major (drums) and Philippe Brault (bass), the singer and multi-instrumentalist took full control of the arrangements, mixing and production of the album, which follows in the footsteps of its predecessors. As Philippe B himself puts it on the title track of the album, released as the first single on February 1st: Everything has changed, everything is the same. Hence the title, Nouvelle administration, which refers to the typical neighborhood restaurant that changes owners without necessarily changing its menu or decor. For Philippe B, it's just an ironic way of saying that, despite the changes he's experienced in recent years, he's remained faithful to his roots and essence.
About Philippe B
Philippe B is one of our most brilliant singer-songwriters. His precious and vibrant folk songs have been resonating on our music scene for over 15 years. The Abitibi-born singer-songwriter established the foundations of his repertoire on his first two albums, Philippe B (2005) and Taxidermie (2008), and then further honed in on his style on his third opus, Variations fantômes, in 2011. Enriched by the work of famous classical music composers, which he sampled with finesse and ingenuity, his sound grew in density with an orchestral backdrop that is both complex and refined. Philippe B offered the logical continuation of Variations fantômes with Ornithologie, la nuit, a fourth album released in 2014, and then with La grande nuit vidéo three years later. All three releases were warmly welcomed by critics and the public, accumulating honors. Philippe B is now preparing to unveil his sixth album, Nouvelle administration.
Tour dates
10/06/2023 - Montréal - Francos de Montréal
18/06/2023 - Tadoussac - Festival de la chanson de Tadoussac
21/10/2023 - Lavaltrie - Église Saint-Antoine
26/10/2023 - Salaberry-de-Valleyfield - Cabaret d’Albert ⬦
28/10/2023 - Ottawa - 4e salle du CNA ⬦
04/11/2023 - Terrebonne - Le Moulinet ⬦
10/11/2023 - Waterloo - Maison de la Culture de Waterloo
11/11/2023 - Val-Morin - Théâtre du Marais ○
18/11/2023 - Sherbrooke - La Petite Boîte Noire
23/11/2023 - Repentigny - Théâtre Alphonse-Desjardins ●
25/11/2023 - Montréal - Gesù
17/02/2024 - Joliette - Musée d’art de Joliette
22/02/2024 - Longueuil - Théâtre de la Ville ○
23/02/2024 - St-Jérôme - Théâtre Gilles-Vigneault ■
01/03/2024 - Québec - Théâtre du Petit Champlain ◿
14/03/2024 - Alma - Boîte à Bleuets
15/03/2024 - St-Prime - Vieux Couvent
16/03/2024 - Jonquière - Côté-Cour
22/03/2024 - Frelighsburg - Beat & Betterave
● On sale April 8th
◿ On sale April 14th
○ On sale May 9th
■ On sale May 28th
⬦On sale soon