In a world craving authentic voices and genuine storytelling, Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Saint Victoire (pronounced saint vic-twar) emerges as a compelling artist on the ascent, her heartfelt storytelling and raw, energetic melodies setting her apart.
Recently securing the runner-up placement at the Emerging Artist Stage at Festival of Sails, Saint Victoire leaves a lasting mark with her unique fusion of Americana, folk, country, and alt-pop-rock influences.
Hailing from Melbourne’s outer-east, Saint Victoire, born Heidi, has been nurturing her talent since childhood. Her love for music blossomed at the tender age of four, sparked by a humble cassette tape of country classics cherished by her mother. Imbued in the timeless tunes of Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, and Patsy Cline, she sought solace in the melodies resonating through the carport.
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“I think that’s when my passion really must have started,” she muses. “I used to make recordings of myself imitating these singers on the old cassette players where you could stick a tape in and hit record. Then as I got older, my big brother really got into drumming, and he would set up this tiny microphone on our parents’ record player and make me sing along while he drummed to Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park and Blink-182.”
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With a diverse musical background and a wealth of experiences, Saint Victoire’s evolution into a professional musician was inevitable; an integral aspect of her identity intricately woven into her essence.
“I don’t think there was ever a moment where I consciously thought I would pursue music as a career, music has just always been so much a part of me,” she reflects. “Being on stage in front of an audience is when I feel most grounded, at home and myself. I can’t even explain how much I love it, it’s the best.”
With a voice reminiscent of Maggie Rogers’ poetically moving narratives and Stevie Nicks’ ethereal allure, Saint Victoire commands attention with her sound, leaving listeners craving more of her captivating melodies. “I think at the moment, I’m loving songs with a lot of energy and lift, especially with powerhouse vocals,” she explains, hinting at the driving force behind her dynamic sound.
Drawing inspiration from legendary artists such as Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Ben Howard, and Lana Del Rey, among others, Saint Victoire’s lyrical prowess knows no bounds.
“Lana Del Rey changed the entire landscape of modern music,” she explains, “I’m currently really inspired musically by bands like The War on Drugs, the Killers (more recent catalogue), Gang of Youths, Sam Fender, Bruce Springsteen, Angie McMahon and Led Zeppelin. I watch a lot of live performance videos and when I see these guys killing it, I’m just like ‘let me up there, I gotta do that’.”
Saint Victoire’s songwriting process is deeply personal, often sparked by fleeting moments of inspiration. “I usually will have an idea in a dream… I’ll wake myself up if I think it’s good and quickly write down everything I can remember of it,” she reveals. “For me, songwriting is a job of listening, so I need as few distractions as possible so I can hear clearly. I usually keep the blinds closed and I listen and visualise performing the song. I only write what comes naturally, either in the narrative or melodically. I don’t ever want to try and force a song into a direction that I think it ‘should’ go, but will listen until I hear where it ‘wants’ to go.”
Crafted with care and sincerity, her songs aim to resonate with listeners on a profound level, offering solace and a sense of belonging.
“I care deeply for people and the human condition and I hope that it translates through my music. If someone can come away from a show feeling like their heart is lighter than when they came in, then I’ll feel like my job is done.”
Laying a magnetic foundation with her stripped-back 2021 EP ‘A Thing I’d Hate To Change’, her strikingly honest and aching debut single ‘Foreigner’ and her recent magically powerful live recording ‘The Mill’, Saint Victoire highlights the synergy she shares with her bandmates as a career highlight.
“We have so much fun wherever we are. They are really such a blessing to me,” she expresses gratefully. “I often hear women speaking about their bad experiences being female in the music industry, and so being surrounded by these guys who support me so much, never patronise me, get excited about whatever vision I share with them and help me realise it, is amazing. They are gold, and so incredibly talented. I don’t feel like I deserve to get to work with them, but I do, and that’s just my biggest highlight.”
Surrounded by a supportive team, Saint Victoire navigates the challenges of the music industry with resilience and determination.
Looking ahead, Saint Victoire is excited about upcoming projects, including the release of her single ‘Basically, I’m just sad’ and a series of live recordings. It’s performing live though that truly ignites her passion and fuels her creative fire.
“I could just be addicted to the dopamine of performing, but I have seen artists live before where it’s as if they have that ‘something else’ which can’t really be quantified or explained,” she muses.
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Driven by the electrifying energy of live performances, Saint Victoire pours her heart and soul into each moment on stage, aiming to create a transcendent experience for her audience. “It’s like the transmission of some kind of ecstasy, where I feel truly electric and alive and the audience receives that,” she explains.
With her unwavering dedication and unmistakable talent, she is undoubtedly an artist to watch, poised to leave an indelible mark on the industry.
Listen to Saint Victoire here.
