Ahead of their upcoming album release show, the band sat down to discuss their musical influences, favourite spots in Montreal, and what’s next for the journey they’ve been on together.

Can you please introduce Hansom Ēli to our readers? How did you meet and what has your musical journey been like so far? 

Alexy: Camille and I are siblings so, I met her when I was four years old.

Camille: Alexy used to play drums in the basement when we were kids, while I played guitar in my room. We didn’t really interact musically until I moved to Montreal.

Alexy: There was a moment about seven years ago when Cam met another singer / rapper with whom we made a first track. After that, we realised we could create something special together and the journey began.

Photo: André Rainville

Who are some of your peers in the Montreal music community that you’ve been vibing with lately? 

Rose Adam, Magi Merlin, LOBONO, Abondance, the GROWVE collective, and Salin are all amazing Montreal artists! 

What are some of your favourite spots in Montreal? What does an average day look like for you two?

Some of our favourite spots are the top of Mount Royal, our own little neighbourhood: the Masson strip (Promenade Masson). You can also find Cam eating gnocchi at Drogheria Fine, and then eating ice cream at Kem CoBa. 

What was the vision for this music video and what was it like being on set?

We wanted to create a mysterious visual space and feel for this already edgy song. We had three days of shooting, in three locations. The best part was driving that beautiful 70s car. 

The setting in your video of a car driving down a dark road is strangely calming – if you were to go on a late night cruise in real life, where would we find you? What are you listening to? And where would you end up? 

We would end up at the cottage probably listening to Mylene Farmer, Tommy Genesis, Dave Brubeck, or Clairo. It’s often a drive we do late at night, travelling to the Gatineau area where our father’s cottage is. 

You’ve mentioned that “Orange” is a hymn to love and the complexities of desire – what is your love language?

Camille: My top two are: acts of service and words of affirmation. 

What are some of your favourite lyrical moments on “Orange”? What inspired these words and what do they mean to you? 

‘’Baby’s first rave
She scored a hit
Cooked right, well done
You’re trading trauma for wisdom”

Camille: This so-called ‘’rave’’ is a metaphor for a dramatic event of transformation in one’s life. This event impacts them so profoundly that it changes the way they perceive themselves and the world around them.

What is your favourite thing that is either orange or orange flavoured? 

Camille: My girlfriend’s braids! 

What’s next for Hansom Ēli? Anything else you’d like us to know?

Find us at our album release show presented by Osheaga at Studio TD on September 20 (tickets and info). We’ll be featuring an incredible line-up of musicians and we’ve prepared a few surprises that will mark a first for the band!