Ariel Engle’s solo project, La Force, emerges as a captivating musical venture after more than a decade as one of Canada’s highly sought-after collaborators. Hailing from Montreal, Engle made a dynamic entrance into the studio scene with Broken Social Scene’s “Hug of Thunder” in 2017. Her self-titled debut album, La Force, followed in the subsequent year, earning a Polaris Music Prize long-list nomination and catching the attention of Stereogum, the Globe & Mail, and NPR’s “Morning Becomes Electric.” The National’s Aaron Dessner enlisted Engle for the new Big Red Machine LP, showcasing her alongside musical heavyweights like Bon Iver, Taylor Swift, Fleet Foxes, and Sharon Van Etten. Engle’s collaboration with Patrick Watson resulted in the lead single on 2022’s “Better In The Shade.” Recently, she received critical acclaim for her contribution to ALL HANDS_MAKE LIGHT, a collaborative project with Godspeed You! Black Emperor founder Efrim Manuel Menuck, hailed as a drone/modular synth/voice masterpiece. Engle’s versatile stage presence has graced performances alongside Maggie Rogers, Martha Wainwright, Leif Vollebekk, The Barr Brothers, and more.
Name:
La Force
Genre:
Indie/pop
Founded:
2018
# of albums:
2
Latest Album:
XO Skeleton
Latest Single:
“How Do You Love a Man”
Latest Video:
Favourite musician growing up:
Sam Cooke – there are so many but that’s the first name that came to mind from my childhood.
Favourite musician now:
Tirzah
Guilty pleasure song:
Guilty about music? I can get into some charting dance songs but it’s guilt-free.
Live show ritual:
Tea and mascara
Favourite local musician:
Liam O’Neill (suuns, la force…)
EP or LP?
LP?
Early bird or night owl?
Early bird!
Road or studio?
Home studio
Any shows or albums coming up?
My newest album XO Skeleton was released in September on Secret City. I also have North American live dates planned for April in Montreal and Toronto supporting Caroline Rose.
Where can we follow you?
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Rapid Fire Local Questions:
What is your favourite local restaurant?
Dosa point or Jun I or Kanbai
What is your favourite street in your city and why?
Esplanade along the park
What is your favourite park in your city and why?
The Mountain
What is your favourite music venue in your city?
Sala rosa
What is your favourite music store in your city?
Phonopolis
