In one fell swoop Billianne went from being a hopeful, to becoming one of the go-to names in Canadian music. Her take on Tina Turner’s ‘Simply The Best’ – retooled as ‘The Best’ – went fully viral, transforming her social media presence, and ultimately her life.
Since then, she’s been accelerating with each passing day. Her single ‘Crush’ was a bona fide hit in Canada, a radio staple that signalled her arrival as a major force.
Released earlier this month, ‘Modes Of Transportation’ completes her ascent. Clash caught Billianne in action at the Great Escape earlier this year, and found a talent who could make the understated seem impactful, someone with a gorgeous voice and a talent for empathetic lyricism.
Written and produced with long-time collaborators Duncan Hood and Nick Ferraro (producer to Kali Uchis, SiR, Kojey Radical), her debut album ‘Modes Of Transportation’ is shot through with confidence and intentionality.
Speaking to Clash, Billianne took time out to discuss her cultural passions…
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Book…
Last summer, I read a short novel by Joy Harjo called Catching The Light. Her website states is as a “lyrical meditation about the why of writing poetry”.
What I took from this book was how there is no separation between us all. The “us” being, not just humans but the earth, the plants and all living things. She also describes the creative process of writing and how music and poetry connects us all through hardship. She spoke on how really, anything good and meaningful starts from a deep connection to the earth.
I loved the way she wrote about writing and how through writing we can find power and our own voice. I remember it really striking me and I put sticky notes on many pages because of how beautiful her words were. Highly recommend a read to all creative minds.
Music…
Music is a huge part of my everyday life in more ways than it being my career, I could go on and on here but I’ll start at my earliest memories. I’m always on the hunt for my next favourite song. I remember when my sister got her first iPod nano (the orange one) and she had a small group of songs we’d loop in our shared room. I was younger so my memories are hazy but I remember Lady Gaga being on there and Owl City’s song ‘Fireflies’ that we were obsessed with.
My first experiences with music also were some of my first memories of finding deep connection with my family. Singing songs together we’d hear on the family channel or the visual memory of my sister’s nano on the bedside table — it’s what I think about when I think of what formed my deep connection to music over my life. It’s only now in my 20s that I’m grasping how music is such a powerful tool for that. How one song can soundtrack a generation. The connection and community that one single song can bring is very inspiring to me.
Films…
The films that have impacted me most in my life are the Studio Ghibli films I’ve seen. Spirited away was one I watched when I was younger and I thought it was some underground film only me and my family knew about. I think that’s a testament to the main creator Hayao Miyazaki and the feeling that blankets that film and all Studio Ghibli films. I’m always left with a melancholy feeling like I’m watching my own memories slipping away.
I question why I’m such a sentimental person sometimes and I think it’s probably partly from watching a good handful of these films as a kid. This sentimentalness and melancholy is blatantly reflected in my songwriting.
TV…
My favourite show is a show called The Great!
This show is a period piece and it’s about Catherine the Great in Russia. Something about this show pulled me in so much and I became absolutely obsessed with the quirkiness and the humour and the romance this winter. The character development is drastic and believable which impressed me. I’m a sucker for a period piece and I can’t wait to find more shows like this one.
Nicholas Hoult and Elle Fanning are incredible in these roles and I just can’t wait to re watch this show as soon as possible. This show made me realize the obsession I got with their story is great song fuel and I ended up starting one inspired by their relationship.
Gadget…
Lately the gadget that’s become a constant in my creative life is my mini Polaroid camera. I purchased this last year because I was leaving on my first big bus tour and wanted a nice way to have a keep sake from each show. I’m a big fan of a keepsake.
So this little camera has come with me to every big event since then. I stick them in note books and photo albums too. I love the instant print of it all. I feel we lack so much of that preciousness that used to come with getting your photos printed these days. Same goes for music. This little camera is my way of getting that back and remembering all the places I have been and the people I met along the way.
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‘Modes Of Transportation’ is out now via The Orchard.
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