Marie Davidson’s live at Nextones Festival 2024 was a powerful statement of intent. Her music—sharp, rhythmic, and intensely personal—merged the intensity of rock with the sophistication of jazz, leaving the audience captivated by her unwavering artistic vision.

On stage, she channeled her life’s journey—its struggles and victories—into a powerful narrative that resonated with everyone present. Each beat, each lyric, was a deliberate expression of her unique perspective, leaving the audience not just entertained but profoundly moved.

DONALD: Okay, let's get started. The first thing I wanted to ask is about your mix of different genres in your music. You blend electronic, house, and techno with a lot of other influences.

MARIE: I come from a rock background, actually. Well, not even rock initially—I started with experimental music. My first band was ambient and experimental, which led me to rock bands. Eventually, I began working with sequencers and drum machines, which got me into techno and other electronic genres.

DONALD: The way you mix these different genres is fascinating. It's really unique. When did you start this journey—was it around 2012?

MARIE: Yes, it’s been about 12 years now. It started with baby steps. The first year was just me experimenting, struggling with MIDI synchronization, and figuring out how to use machines. In 2013, when I started synchronizing all my equipment with MIDI, it changed everything. I finally understood how to make electronic music for dancing. The rhythm, the pulse—it became the driving force, just like in rock music with the drums and bass.

DONALD: Did you ever incorporate elements from other artists or bands that you liked into your work, or was it all your original sound?

MARIE: I didn’t really take elements from other artists because I wasn’t capable of reproducing others' music at first. I’m self-taught, so it was all trial and error, which was a blessing in disguise because it led me to create my own sound. I remember the first time I truly understood what a 4/4 beat was—it was in 2014, and it just clicked.

DONALD: You're from Montreal. How did your background there influence your music?

MARIE: It had a huge influence. Montreal has a vibrant mix of scenes—indie rock, free jazz, free improv. When I started, I was involved in rock, noise, and jazz, but not much techno. Discovering early Detroit techno and electro, like Cybotron’s "Alleys of Your Mind," was life-changing. It spoke to me, especially because I was already a fan of Kraftwerk. Over the years, I gradually shifted from experimental to more beat-driven music, always keeping lyrics and poetry central to my work.

DONALD: When did you start incorporating your voice into your performances? The way you present yourself on stage, both vocally and as a performer, is incredible. The energy you have is really moving.

MARIE: Thank you. I was actually using my voice before I got into electronic music. So, moving and performing with my voice felt natural to me. I was already doing vocals and poetry. Robert Hood is playing right now. My husband and I saw Robert Hood in Montreal in 2015, and that’s how we became his fans. It’s amazing how music connects everything.

DONALD: This is your first experience at this Nextones festival, right? How are you finding it? What do you think of the location?

MARIE: It’s amazing. The location is magnificent—so inspiring and breathtaking. The sound system is fantastic, too. I told the organizers after the soundcheck how much I appreciated it. For a musician, good sound is crucial.

DONALD: And what about the visuals? This festival is so immersive, with all the projections and the natural surroundings.

MARIE: The visuals are beautiful. I couldn’t see much during the performance, but I saw them before and after. They really add to the experience.

DONALD: How many times have you been to Italy before this?

MARIE: I’ve been to Italy many times. I love it here. To be honest, I always say yes when I get an offer to play in Italy. It’s one of my favorite places—almost second only to Mexico. My first gig in Italy was with a set by the project I do with my husband in 2013 in Naples. I’ve played in Rome, Milan, Sicily, and at the Density Festival in Montefalco, which I really enjoyed. Italy has such a rich culture, strong music, and history.

DONALD: What’s your relationship with fashion?

MARIE: Honestly, it’s a disaster! Thankfully, I have my friend Gabriele Papi, a stylist and artist, helping me with fashion lately, so I’ve stepped up my game a bit. But fashion isn’t my forte—I’m more focused on music and poetry. If fashion is curated by friends and leans toward art, I’m interested. But I’m not into branding; it’s not my world, though I respect it.

DONALD: I completely agree. Fashion as art is powerful, but when it becomes about branding, it loses its essence.

MARIE: Exactly. Fashion is a true form of art, but because it’s so mainstream, it often becomes branding. That’s something I don’t connect with.

DONALD: What are your future projects? Are you working on something new right now?

MARIE: Yes, I have a full album coming out. The first single has already been released, and the full album is on the way. I can’t say exactly when, but there’s a new single coming out in September. The music is ready, and it’ll unfold step by step.

DONALD: The last song you performed here was "Renegade Breakdown," right?

MARIE: Yes, that’s from the previous album I did with my band. The new album is also a co-production with my husband Pierre, and Dave and Steph from Soulwax. "Renegade Breakdown" was a band effort from the last record.

DONALD: I loved that performance. It seems like you’re really defining your direction with each step, which is incredible.

MARIE: Thank you. I’m much more focused on being my own person and conveying my message rather than trying to create something trendy or in the moment. There’s so much amazing music out there, but I’m not interested in competing. My approach is more about following my gut feeling and focusing on the message, the vibe, and the identity of the music.

DONALD: Your stage energy is incredible. What drives that? Is there something in your background that made you who you are today?

MARIE: It comes from struggle. I started my solo project in 2012 after playing in bands. At that time, I was really struggling with health issues, and making music was a way to stay alive. That ethos still drives me, even though I’m much better now. When I perform, I stop thinking about everything else and just focus on the sounds, the movement, and connecting with the audience. It’s my way of expressing things I couldn’t otherwise.

DONALD: Amazing. I kind of imagined that might be part of it. When you face such challenges, you give 100% of yourself.

MARIE: Yes, exactly. Even if I don’t succeed, it’s okay as long as I do my best.