Journée Internationale de la Francophonie is an opportunity to celebrate the cultures, languages, and voices that shape a rich and dynamic Francophone space – here in Canada and around the world.
At SOCAN, this day holds a special place. Our Francophone members are at the heart of Canadian culture, and help shape our organizational identity. Their creativity crosses borders, defies categories, and fuels a vibrant dialogue among communities.
Some of these voices eloquently embody the diversity and richness of the French language across the country. We met with Julie Aubé, a singer-songwriter and member of the New Brunswick band Les Hay Babies, whose approach is marked by a nostalgic and unifying authenticity; Mario Lepage, also known as Ponteix, who offers a thoughtful exploration of the connections between language, identity, and territory; Rayannah, a singer-songwriter from Manitoba, recognized for her distinctive electro-poetic sound; and Trevor Murphy, an Acadian artist and founder of Acadian Embassy, based in Nova Scotia, who’s dedicated to showcasing contemporary Acadian culture.
Through their unique lived experiences, we discovered a modern, rich, confident Francophonie with its eyes resolutely turned toward the future.
A Francophonie in Motion: Travelling, Creating, Building Connections
For Rayannah, Francophone music is like a passport, one that’s taken her to Chile in recent years, notably to Concepción and Santiago, where she’s toured and taken part in creative residencies. “Composing in my mother tongue, while collaborating with artists who speak other languages, creates an important emotional grounding that transcends linguistic barriers… Often, creating with someone who speaks a different language leads to unexpected and inspiring results,” she says.
As for Julie Aubé, her music takes her to Louisiana, where her Cajun friends have developed a taste Francophone music from Canada.
The connections that unite Francophone communities, and their openness to the world, perfectly illustrate the ability of Francophone music to renew itself by mingling with other cultures – without ever losing its distinct identity.
This rich melting pot is also at the heart of Ponteix’s journey. He says, “I feel truly privileged to be able to connect with different communities throughout the year, and share moments of connection with audiences eager to discover music from the Canadian Prairies.” His work invites audiences to nurture, and dig deeper into, their curiosity for fertile and expansive Francophone culture.
Touching Audiences Even Without Sharing the Language
Rayannah has observed it time and again: Francophone music resonates even when it’s performed for non-Francophone audiences.
“The ability to create a connection without always sharing a common language is one of the aspects of performing that fascinates me,” she says. “That deep connection brings us closer together as people.”
In another part of the country, Trevor Murphy sees similar dynamics. In Halifax, where the Francophone community is a minority, he actively works to build bridges between Anglophone and Francophone scenes, both as an artist with Sluice, and as an industry professional.
“I often make an effort to put on shows that include Anglophone bands, to maximize audiences, but also to introduce people to Francophone music,” he says. “At the end of the day, good music is good music, regardless of the language.”
He’s seeing a growing interest. “The appetite for Francophone music among people who don’t speak French is increasing,” says Murphy. “With listening habits evolving and relationships developing within communities, it’s clear that we’re at a promising moment as Francophones.”
This observation is true, beyond theory, and is embodied onstage. Julie Aubé, a member of the trio Les Hay Babies, has experienced this growing curiosity first-hand, on tour. “Les Hay Babies have converted a lot of people to Francophone music, thanks to our shows,” she says. “Sometimes people see us at festivals without knowing what to expect, and they discover a whole new world – the Canadian Francophone music scene!”
These experiences all point to the same idea: the Francophonie thrives when it’s shared, when it opens itself to others, and when it’s lived communally.
An Ecosystem to Propel Francophone Music
The international journey of many Francophone artists is made possible through the essential support of funding organizations and their communities.
Aubé highlights the key role played by Musicaction and Music New Brunswick in enabling showcases and tours abroad, while Ponteix points to the early and then steady support of the Conseil culturel fransaskois, as well as funding bodies such as Creative Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Arts Board, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the APCM (Association des professionels de la chanson et de la musique).
But he also emphasizes that, beyond funding programs, the strength of a project relies on the people who believe in it. Together, this support allows Francophone artists to reach audiences outside Canada, and showcase the richness of their local scenes to new listeners.
A Proud and Vibrant Francophonie
Thanks to artists like Julie Aubé, Ponteix, Rayannah, Trevor Murphy, and so many others, from coast to coast, Canadian Francophone music continues to shine, innovate, and re-invent itself.
It brings together diverse audiences, inspires new collaborations, and shows that the French language carries a unique creative force that can cross borders and move people, regardless of the language they speak.
On this Journée Internationale de la Francophonie, SOCAN proudly celebrates all those who help keep Francophone music alive, in Canada and around the world.
The Path to Discovery
To celebrate this Journée spéciale, we invite you to discover our four interviewees’ musical favourites, which will provide you with a snapshot of today’s Canadian Francophone music scene.
Julie Aubé :
- Maude Sonier (New Brunswick): For her exceptional voice and a musical vision that shows remarkable maturity for her age.
- MESSE (New Brunswick) : A must for Black Sabbath fans. This Acadian stoner metal band pairs heavy, dark riffs with French lyrics.
Ponteix:
- Sylvie Walker (Saskatchewan): A folk artist whose melancholic sound captures the very essence of the Prairies’ Francophonie.
- Étienne Fletcher (Saskatchewan): His offering is a nuanced folk-rock fusion where every musical detail serves the depth of his lyrics.
Rayannah:
- FABBEO (Winnipeg): Brings an essential dose of electro-pop freshness; a rising voice on Manitoba’s urban and pop scene.
Trevor Murphy:
- Serena Wu : A multidisciplinary artist who explores indie pop sounds, marked by vulnerability, and distinguished by her ability to navigate between cultures.
- Maude Sonier: A 2025 Francouvertes semi-finalist, she’s a true but quiet force poised to shake up the alternative pop landscape.
Bonne Journée de la Francophonie, and happy discoveries!