We had the good fortune of connecting with Lea Jarry and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lea, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
I try to question myself several times a month about my level of happiness regarding my work. By being grateful for what I already have, I easily notice all the happy moments and opportunities that my life as an entrepreneur brings me. I believe that as long as the moments of joy outweigh the stresses and failures, it makes sense to continue. The day when the opposite happens, regardless of the level of success in my career, I think it won’t be worth pushing in that direction anymore.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve been a singer and songwriter since I was very young. I started singing before I could even talk. Music has always been a part of me, and I quickly understood it would be the driving force in my life. In 2007, I left my hometown of Baie Saint Paul to study music in Montreal. I didn’t know anyone, and the big city intimidated me a lot. I continued my studies at university while working as a freelance singer on various projects. After 10 years of touring Canada and the United States as a singer, I realized it wasn’t the reason I had left my village. So, I left all the bands I was in at the time to focus on writing my first EP. Around the same time, I met my current manager who helped propel my career as a songwriter-composer. I’m carving out my place in the industry by putting my passion front and center in every project.

Money was never on my mind when I was younger. I wanted to sing. I wanted to write and tell stories. I wanted to touch people’s hearts. It’s with this mission in mind that I make absolutely every business decision. Of course, it has become my profession, and I need to ensure I can live comfortably, but I still try to guide my decisions based on what I truly want to offer to the world as an artist. I also surround myself with people who share the same desire. I think this is a big part of my success because I probably would have given up a long time ago if I hadn’t listened to that little voice in my head, telling me to follow my gut. I am proud to continue to work with the same passion for music I had when I was 6 years old. I am 34 now, and I would never think of doing something else.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Montreal is such a fun city ! We would go for a long walk near the Canal Lachine, stopping by little Atwater Market for an ice cream. Then we would eat dinner on Saint-Denis or Saint-Laurent street. There is a ton of wonderful restaurants over here ! I also love to go on the Mont-Royal, to see a beautiful view of the entire city. I personally live on the south shore of Montreal, and there is a wonderful brunch restaurant called ” Le Pêché Matinal ”. The food is to die for ! Another spot that you cannot miss, especially if you like country or western music is a bar called ” Western Spaghetti ” on Saint-Hubert street. Line dancing, bingo nights and country music. Definitely one of my favourite place in the city.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The past few years have been a rollercoaster, and I couldn’t speak about the success of my career without the constant support of my artist friends. I am surrounded by singers, dancers, authors, and actors. I operate within a small artistic community in Quebec, where everyone knows each other. This has several advantages but also some drawbacks. I’ve had countless hours of discussion with my friends about our place in the industry, our mission as songwriter-composers, our artistic integrity, and the balance between our professional and social lives. All these conversations have made me feel heard, understood, and never alone. This second family I have here as made all the difference in the world in my music journey.

Website: www.leajarry.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/lea_jarry

Facebook: www.facebook.com/leajarryofficiel

Youtube: www.youtube.com/leajarry12 

Image Credits
Avril Franco, Patrick Beaudry, Tim Snow

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