The Saskatoon-born alt-pop singer-songwriter velours is named after the French word for “velvet,” for her beautifully soft voice and her music style. She writes about the human condition, the lyricism colliding with beautifully authentic melodies.

velours was inspired by a feeling she had of the whole world crumbling around her, though still having a sparkling, vibrant love that grows, despite it all. Her concept of ‘Flowers in a Wasteland’ not only has contrasting imagery, but she also wanted to mix that with a killer upbeat pop rock energy. The idea that something so beautiful and fragile like a flower can thrive in something so visually miserable like a wasteland was such a fun concept to work with.

“The concept, style, and song title came seamlessly, but the lyrics took a lot of figuring out,” explains velours. “It was a challenge to find the line between creating imagery of a wasteland and the fun of being in love with someone. I also wasn’t too sure what kind of imagery to use and it wasn’t until my mom––the person who taught me everything I know about literature––suggested I re-read Lord Byron’s poem, ‘Darkness.’ I had so much fun taking from the apocalyptic imagery in the poem and contrasting that with the upbeat sound and feeling of new love.”