Charlotte Cardin on Her New Album ’99 Nights’ Crafted with Soulful Sounds and Ego-Free Music in Paris

Emerging from the vibrant Canadian music scene, Charlotte Cardin has transcended borders and captured hearts worldwide with her soul-stirring melodies and distinctive blend of pop, electronic, and soul influences. As she released her highly-anticipated album, "99 Nights," on August 25th, Cardin's star continues to ascend.

With her recent single, "Jim Carrey," making waves and even receiving a personal call from the iconic actor, her artistic journey takes an exhilarating turn. Currently based in Paris, this Montreal-born sensation has already achieved remarkable feats, including multiple JUNO Awards and being the first female artist to dominate the Canadian Billboard chart in years. Her music, characterized by its emotional depth and genre-defying sound, has resonated deeply with fans and critics alike. As anticipation builds for her upcoming U.S. tour, we had the privilege of delving into Cardin's creative process and the remarkable stories behind her music.

Interview by Luc Benoit

Hi Charlotte, thanks for speaking with Rain today. Where are you now and where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in Montreal. I am based in Paris now.

What was that like? I am Canadian too, but what was the switch like from French Canada to Paris?

I love Paris. It's an amazing city, and I guess I just needed a change of scenery. I had been in Montreal for a long time. I love the food, wine, music, and the beautiful architecture of Paris. Every day feels like a dream. I've been here for a year now, and I appreciate going back to Montreal more. I felt a bit suffocated there, and now I have a new perspective.

Your album releases tomorrow. What are you most excited about? What's going on? What are the feelings?

I'm incredibly excited. I'm ready to share the music with everyone. I've been working on this album for a long time, and I love the songs. It's been a fun, creative process, and I'm excited for others to hear it.

Can you let us in on some of the creative process? What was your average day like when you were making this?

The core of the album, "99 Nights," came together during one summer. It was a challenging time for me personally, and the moments I spent in the studio with my friends writing music were like an escape from reality. I was trying to encapsulate emotions into sounds, approaching songwriting more spontaneously. The album has a bittersweet feeling, like a diary, where you realize things about yourself later.

Do you think there were a lot of subconscious things coming out in the writing process and then looking back, it all makes sense now?

Absolutely. It's like automatic writing; you jot things down without thinking, and later, you realize you revealed things to yourself that you didn't even know were there.

What's up with Jim Carrey?

"Jim Carrey" is a song about ego, something that holds us back from showing our imperfections. Jim Carrey has given brilliant speeches about the ego, and his perspective was inspiring to me. The song started as a playful take on ego, and we even have the line "Jim Carrey, will you marry me?" as a playful twist to a meaningful theme.

What have you been listening to recently? What other artists have inspired you and what's the vibe with that?

I've been listening to Citizen Cope, Sade, Post Malone's new album, Nick Drake's "Pink Moon," and Lib Bianca's "People." It's a bit eclectic right now.

You've sold out shows in New York, Paris, Vancouver - big cities. What's that feeling like?

It feels amazing, especially with this collaborative album. Sharing the music live will be extra special. Selling out shows in Paris, Montreal, and New York so quickly was incredible, and I'm excited about playing in cities I've never been to before, like Phoenix and Istanbul.

What have you been wearing recently? It's a fashion magazine, so we'd love to know.

I've been into baggy jeans and tank tops. Knee-high boots with skirts or dresses this summer. Also, I've embraced the Canadian tuxedo vibe - all denim. The album's colors are grayish-blue, so I've fully embraced denim.

Follow Charlotte on instagram @charlottecardin