Stephane Moraille

If one must name a Canadian songstress who stands above all others, judging not only talent and stage presence, but class and joie-de-vivre, then the name which comes to everyone’s lips always seems to be the same: Stephane Moraille. The long-awaited release of her first full-length solo studio album — Florida Water — is set to hit stores December 4th, 2008 under the boutique label Déjà musique distributed by Warner records.
The Haitian-born singer/songwriter first made her mark in the world of electronic music with the Shauna Davis Project in 1995 and was finally discovered through her crossover smash, “Get Away”. The track not only brought Miss Moraille, then known as Shauna Davis, international recognition, it spawned numerous accolades. In fact, “Get Away”, which was nominated for a Juno and Much Music Video Award in her adopted Canada, allowed her to travel the world for the first time, sharing the stage with such artists as famed DJ/producers David Morales, Stonebirdge, Todd Terry and the likes.
However, the gifted singer would receive her greatest artistic success at the end of the 1990s as part of Bran Van 3000. The 1997 album “Glee” became an immediate success, notably with “Drinking in LA”, in which Stéphane’s delicious, powerful pipes captured an unsuspecting public. The song would go on to become a top 5 smash on both pop and alternative charts around the world, including a high of 2 in the United Kingdom. The song became part of pop culture, later featured in numerous films, television shows, and ad campaigns. The group earned a bouquet of awards, including a Much Music Video Award, Juno, Felix, Videofact Award, SOCAN prize, and a Canadian Radio Music Award.
Bran Van 3000’s success would not wane, as the band continued its hectic touring schedule until 2000, sharing the stage with such artists as Björk (in Paris), Massive Attack (Netherlands), Pulp (London), and Prodigy, the latter at the infamous Cream Festival in the UK. The group also performed in the Horde Festival, Montreal International Jazz Fest, Modena Festival in Italia, Sun Festival in Central Park, NXNE in Toronto, and SXSW in Austin. BV3 and Stéphane also appeared on the famed Conan O'Brien Show on NBC in the United States, BBC’s Top of the Pops in the UK, and, of course, MTV, Much Music and Musique Plus.
On July 1st Bran van 3000’s returned to throw the biggest block party Montreal has ever seen, breaking all attendances records (150 000 and counting). Stéphane electrified once again the audience with her powerhouse vocals.
The album is virtually available right now exclusively on canoe.ca/stephanemoraille for download and will drop in early February 2009. With an incredible 2009 to come, this smart diva is set for a powerful return to the forefront of the global musical village, ready to charm with her powerful voice, charm, and smarts. Stéphane Moraille is back!
PRESS QUOTES
The International Jazz Festival One discovered Stéphane Moraille the singer of Haitian descent during her remarkable appearance within the Montreal collective Bran Van 3000. The Soul Diva returns to us with her own band, combining Haitian roots, timeless groove, timeless soul, and especially a warm voice, luxurious, able to inspire a spin on the dance floor as much as making you cry.
The Voir
An excellent singer.
Le Soleil
The sound was impeccable; one could thus fully appreciate the superb voice of Stéphane Moraille, the Diva of Soul.
The Gazette
Stéphane Moraille is a presence, a Soul Belter, of the Patti Labelle vocals...
The Toronto Globe and Mail
And with Stéphane Moraille' S soul infused vocals holding down the melody, the fun never detracted...
Mirror
Florida Water (Deja/Warner) Coming off her electrifying performance at this year’s Black & Blue, Moraille’s debut serves up an equally energizing and surprisingly eclectic mixture of musical styles. She peppers the tracks with a layered vocal approach that works particularly well with the upbeat vibes featured throughout. And a lot of those vibes run along the pop-rock/dance tangent, with assertive thumpers like “Gold” and “Sharpshooter” favouring the pop-rock side, while others like “Witness” and lead single “Lover” solidly representing dance. In fact, Moraille only slows down for the set closer and lone French track, “Presque Touché,” a reminder that even the party girl has a vulnerable side. 8/10 Trial Track: “Encore” (Gerard Dee)
A&R WORLDWIDE’S "ARTIST OF THE WEEK" – STEPHANE MORAILLE
Moraille doesn’t disappoint with her new album, which is chock-full of great songs including “Gold,” “Encore, “Sick,” “Lover” and “Florida Water.”.. “Lover” and “Florida Water.” The album is produced by John Webster (Aerosmith, Tom Cochrane, Bif Naked) and delivers a mix of modern rock blended with left-field pop and a slight jazz feel to give it a well-rounded sound.
( Sat Bisla / A&R Worldwide / November 5 2008 )