REVIEWS
"The key to understanding Josee Allard is that she’s built, born, and destined to entertain. While this reggae/pop song "All Night Long" it’s a departure from what I’ve heard from her in the past, I can personally vouch for the fact that she’s every bit as alluring, enchanting, and entertaining as ever here and that she is a hybrid artist when it comes right down to it."
-Sleeping Bag Studios
"A stunning collection of rich folk-inspired songs."
- The Band Camp Diaries
"With our current social and political climate, tracks such as “Love is All We Need” from her Burning Rain EP aren’t just refreshing, they’re essential.The level of talent combined with the quality of the production isn’t something that we get to hear every day."
- A&R Factory
BIO
Short
Often compared to a female version of Jack Johnson, British Columbia native Josee Allard is a Folk-Pop Singer-Songwriter & multi-instrumentalist who has been living in the Northern Adirondacks, NY for the last 12 years. She released her 7th album “Breaking Down” in 2023 with the Josee Allard Trio (Kevin Glennon & Michael Dufort), and performs regularly with her acoustic duo "Erik & Josee" with Erik Van Yserloo on percussions and also "Bluebird" which is a folk country band with members Tammy Myatt and Michael Dufort. No matter the set up, Josee's music is always "Feel Good" with mostly original songs and covers from Fleetwood Mac, Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney, Tracy Chapman & more.... !!!!!
BIO
Long
Josee Allard is a dynamic performer, exuding positive energy and passion at every show she performs. A resident of Merrill, NY in the Adirondack Mountains, she has a natural gift for hooks and melodies and always leaves her audience feeling good and wanting more. Josee has a heartwarming way of relating life experiences through her songwriting, whether it’s falling in love, enjoying a snowy day or supporting a friend through life’s challenges, her guitar, bass or ukulele help her tell the story. And when she breaks out the harmonica, things really start to cook!
Born in British Columbia, Canada, Josee is fluent in both English and French. The Folk-Pop multi-instrumentalist moved to New York State to be closer to the Montreal music scene, captivating both Francophone and Anglo audiences with her powerful performance style and audience interaction. Clever lyrics and song structure, a keen sense of melody, a sixth sense when it comes to a hook and the playing chops to pull it all together make her a popular regional performer, invited back to every venue she plays.
When reflecting on her influences, Josee cites fellow Canadian singer-songwriter Sara McLachlan, the pop-rock-country style of Sheryl Crow, and the folk rock, multi-instrumentalist style of Jack Johnson. Her 2014 album, Day by Day, produced by singer-songwriter Pascal Dufour whom she met in Montreal, was well received by the press, calling Josee “the next female version of Jack Johnson”. The pair released a new EP in May 2019, her fifth album, titled Burning Rain, which has been receiving regular airplay all over Canada on CBC as well as independant radio station in the U.S. such as 104.7FM The Point in Burlington, VT and NPR. It features handpicked seasoned musicians from Montreal and five original songs written by Josee, which range in style from folk to pop to country.
In 2020, a collection of 13 new original songs titled "Montreal Solo Acoustic Sessions" was released, which fans quoted to be "Great tunes, works great just vocals & guitar and beautiful words". Songwriting is her biggest passion but especially collaborating with other artists. You can find her name under the song credits for many artists including Star Academie runner up Carolanne D'Astous Paquet and percussionist Elizabeth Blouin-Brathwaite!
Going a little off brand, on her 2021 single "All Night Long" Josee completely changed directions! During the pandemic she decided to invest in studio recording equipment and learn how to use pro tools. Since there were no shows, she wanted to stay creative and keep writing songs but also wanted to take it further! Her friends noticed that when she performs live sometimes she break into a free style rap and improvises something right there on the spot, usually with a Jamaican accent and vibe, which is totally strange because she is a Canadian red head! After the single Josee and her trio recorded a 6 song EP titled "Breaking Down" which came out in April 2023.
Allard has opened for some big name acts on the Québec music scene including Jean Leloup, leader of the Francophone pop renaissance, and Diane Dufresne, singer of popular Quebec songs. She has won many awards from singing competitions in Canada & the U.S and one of her career highlights was representing Francophone Canada at the Vancouer 2010 Winter Olympics. Most rewarding though has been seeing her son Charles follow in her footsteps as he loves to sing and play music.
Her current project is "Bluebird", a 4 piece Folk-Country band from Malone, NY which was formed 2 years ago when her and another female singer-songwriter, Tammy Myatt started jamming together at open mic at Titus Family Mountain. Both their bands had broken up and they were looking for something new. They became a great match as Tammy played piano & ukulele and loved writing lyrics while Josee played guitar & bass and loved putting music to lyrics. They started playing shows and were quickly joined by Michael Dufort on percussion, who was a previous member of Josee’s band and had also worked with Tammy in the past.
Their new folky/percussive sound was building excitement and their audiences were also loving their songwriting style and their harmonies. Bluebird was invited to perform 4 original songs on PBS Watertown which is set to air this January 14th and has since added a fourth player, Pete Sprague on electric guitar. They are looking forward to sharing their uplifting songs, as well as some all time favorites like “Wagon Wheel” & “House of the Rising Sun”, at upcoming shows throughout the North Country and are honored to be kicking off the Waddington Concert Series on July 4th, 2025 !!!!!
Band members:
Tammy Myatt (Bluebird)
Tamara (Tammy) Myatt has been playing the piano and singing since she was 9. “I remember getting a tiny little pink toy keyboard when I was very young. I taught myself to play songs on that toy. I begged my parents for piano lessons and started taking lessons from our school music teacher, Ellen Factor, in 3rd grade. By the age of 13, I was the organist in my church. I’m so thankful for everyone who has helped me pursue music throughout my life.”
Michael Dufort (Bluebird)
Michael grew up in Whippleville, NY and has been playing drums for thirty-two years in local bands such as Thirty1&Mandolin, Soulshine, 393 Above and Wizards in Winter. His biggest influences include Pink Floyd, The Shins, Ben Folds, Modest Mouse, and Band of Horses. He lives in Malone, NY with his wife, Erika and their six kids.
Pete Sprague (Bluebird)
Pete started playing music with his parents when he was around 8 years old but his hands were too small for a guitar so they had him play drums in his Dad’s Country group. They made him play with brushes because he was too loud. So it wasn’t too surprising when he picked up the electric guitar and was interested in rock and metal around 12 years old. His guitar influences range from Randy Rhoads to Ozzy Osbourne and southern rock groups such as the Allman Brothers and Lynrd Skynrd. Pete has been performing around the North Country in different bands, including with his fiance Elizabeth, playing 100’s of shows throughout the years. He did spend some time in Florida and attended college for Recording Engineering, where he had the opportunity to do Front of House sound for B.B. King and Pat Travers.
Erik Van Yserloo (Snow Bunny Duo)
Erik was born and raised in The Adirondack Mountains. He is a 3rd Generation Drummer and has been playing gigs around the Tri Lakes for over 35 years. Most may know him from his 10 Year Stint with The Irish Band Inisheer. From collaborating with Grammy Award winners to Drum Circle Facilitating and educating students in the area, he is also a proud father to daughter Karley, a 4th Generation VanYserloo Drummer. He first heard Josee Allard perform at The Kate Mountain Music Festival in 2016 and immediately fell in love with her song writing and musical talent.