Dawn Cadence Dives Into the Divine on sacré coeur

On her new EP, the Montreal-based songwriter invites you to confront the tension between objectification and self-actualization.

by Cam Delisle

With sacré coeur, Montreal-based, Oakville-born expérimenteur Dawn Cadence’s latest EP, she explores the delicate balance between reverence and rebellion. It’s a sonic and visual exploration of the self—where spiritual longing, sensuality, and autonomy intertwine.

From the ethereal yearning of “holywater” to the vulnerability of madonnawhore,” Dawn pulls back the curtain on her journey of discovery. But it’s “girl2GOD” that captures the heart of the project, a haunting meditation on the space between being seen and being heard. As she navigates this path, Dawn invites us into her personal reckoning, simultaneously urging us to examine our own. We sat down with Cadence to talk about where sacré coeur takes her—and us…

Congrats on the new EP! What does an average day look like for you in Montreal these days? 

I’m very grateful to live my life at a slower pace right now. Most mornings, I sleep in and let my body rest. I’ll head to one of my favorite local cafés, which has become both a sanctuary and a creative space for me; it’s where I do a lot of brainstorming, writing, and reflecting. I spend a good amount of time catching up with friends, watching video essays, and diving into anything that sparks inspiration for future projects. My days feel intentionally fluid, which allows me to remain open to creativity when it strikes.

sacré coeur feels deeply personal. What inspired you to explore such personal themes on this EP?

Last year, I started working as a stripper. I’d been pole dancing recreationally for a while, and I was curious about what it would be like to do it professionally. The job became a mirror for my journey of self-discovery and acceptance; it reminded me how far I’ve come in embracing my authentic self. Since then, I’ve been able to quadruple my income, leave my 9-5 and make more time for my music and my wellbeing. There’s this persistent narrative that women in this profession need to be “saved” or that they’re there out of desperation. While that may be true for some, it’s not the full story. Many of the women I’ve met at the club are entrepreneurs, creatives, or just people who genuinely enjoy the work and are intentional in what they do. It may sound harsh, but in a way, we weaponize the male gaze to benefit us; and to me, that’s incredibly empowering. I wanted to explore these experiences on sacré coeur because they challenged and deepened my understanding of autonomy, power, and vulnerability. It also felt important to stand up for the amazing women I’ve worked with and to shed light on a perspective that’s often overlooked.

Can you share more about the journey that led to the creation of “girl2GOD” and what the song means to you?

The title, “girl2GOD,” might initially sound like a confession or confrontation; a girl addressing God. But for me, it’s about my relationship with myself and how the world perceives my body. Growing up, I was often labeled as the “weird kid.” Then, as I grew into a woman’s body, people started treating me differently, as though my value suddenly hinged on my desirability. It’s such a strange transformation to experience, going from being overlooked to being put on a pedestal because of how you’re perceived. The song is about grappling with that shift. It’s about the strange power and fragility that come with being desired, knowing that the gaze that elevates you now will eventually pass. It’s both a meditation on my own experiences and a broader commentary on how society views women’s bodies as transient objects of worship, placing you on a pedestal based on desirability, only to discard you when you no longer fit that ideal. It’s been a journey of learning to define my worth on my own terms, not based on how others see me.

The contrast between “holywater” and “madonnawhore” feels intentional. How do these songs reflect the dualities you’re grappling with on sacré coeur?

“holywater” is the starting point of the journey; it’s about the more repressed version of myself, the one who was still figuring out who she was. I realized I was bisexual at a young age, around 13, and that revelation made me question so much of what I’d been taught about myself, my faith, and my place in the world. As I grew older and more confident, I started to embrace my sexuality and identity, but I still struggled with how deeply modesty and shame were ingrained in me. “madonnawhore” reflects the other side of that, the part of me that rejects the idea that how I’m perceived by men should dictate how I dress, act, or express myself.

 

 

Your music is often described as ethereal and cinematic. What was your approach to production and sound design for this project?

I’ve always focused on storytelling in my songwriting and immersion in my production. I’ll include atmospheric sounds: wind, thunder, rain, drones to deepen understanding of the world I am creating through the song. There’s this alien-like scream at the end of “girl2GOD” that I love because it represents the feeling of being an alien to yourself. I also watched Alien for the first time last year and became a little obsessed so that’s that. The cinematic aspect also comes from how the arrangements are built. I thought about pacing, when to pull back, when to add layers, when to let silence breathe.

You’ve been praised for being a self-produced artist. How do you balance creative control with collaboration, and were there any key collaborators on sacré coeur?

I think there’s something beautiful about being able to realize your vision on your own. With my previous projects, I handled all the production and mixing myself, which gave me full creative control. But for sacré coeur, I felt ready to invite someone else into the process to elevate certain elements. I was fortunate to work with Kiri Stensby, an amazing audio engineer who has worked with artists I admire such as Eartheater. She mixed and mastered two tracks, “holywater” and “madonnawhore,” and brought such a polished and nuanced touch to them. Her expertise allowed me to focus more on the performance and thematic elements of the music, knowing those technical aspects were in great hands. That said, I still mixed the final track, “girl2GOD,” myself. I wanted to keep challenging myself and developing my skills, and I’m proud of the result. This year, it is definitely a goal to collaborate with other artists on future releases. I may have one coming out soon….

Spirituality and visual storytelling play such big roles in your work. How do these elements shape your songwriting and overall creative vision?

For me, spirituality is deeply tied to the themes of identity and self-discovery that I explore in my music. It’s not so much about religion but about grappling with the bigger questions: what it means to be human, to feel desire, to seek connection and meaning. Visual storytelling helps me convey those ideas in ways that words alone can’t. When I’m writing a song, I’m often thinking in images, scenes, colors, movements. Those visuals then feed back into the music, shaping the production and the emotional tone. It’s all interconnected.

 

 

The short film accompanying sacré coeur premieres on release day. What can fans expect from the visuals, and how do they complement the music?

The short film is essentially an extension of the EP: a visual representation of the themes and emotions I’m exploring. I worked closely with director VIO(LETA) (@viov.jpeg on Instagram), who has such an incredible eye for detail and mood. We wanted to create something that felt raw, evocative, and intimate, so I sent her story synopses for each song, along with monologues that delved deeper into the narrative. She responded with a stunning mood board and shot list that perfectly captured the vibe I had in mind. We filmed over two days. You can expect everything from dramatic running sequences to pole dancing. 

You’re hosting an intimate EP release show and film screening. How do you hope audiences experience the project?

I want this event to feel immersive and transformative. The plan is to have my band perform live while the film plays in sync with the music. It’s a format that blurs the lines between a concert and a film screening, creating a unique experience that celebrates both mediums. I also want the night to feel intimate and communal, like a space where people can connect not just with the music and visuals but also with each other. 

Who or what has been inspiring you lately, musically or otherwise, as you carve out your space in the dark pop genre?

I’ve noticed that fans of my work tend to be drawn to artists like FKA twigs and Ethel Cain, which feels like such an honor because I admire both of them deeply. twigs, in particular, resonates with me, not just musically but as a fellow pole dancer. I love how she’s incorporated that aspect of herself into her art so seamlessly. She’s not afraid to challenge expectations or carve her own path, which is something I aspire to as well. Ethel Cain’s music has this haunting, cinematic quality and I’ve been delving deeper into her discography recently. Such a win to have both of their new releases out this month as well. Lana Del Rey has also been a long time inspiration for me. The idea of producing a short film was definitely inspired by her ‘Tropico’ release in 2013. 

Anything else you’d like everyone to know about you before they hit play on your new release?

If sacré coeur speaks to you, I’d love to hear from you. As an independent artist, connecting with listeners is something I really value, so feel free to reach out; I try to respond to everyone. And if you can’t make it to the release show, the short film will be live on YouTube at 12pm EST on release day. I’m so excited to share this project with you, and I hope it resonates in a meaningful way. Thank you for taking the time to listen.