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TREASA LEVASSEUR

www.treasalevasseur.com

“Me and my big fat mouth”, Treasa Levasseur sighs, laughingly reminding herself that it’s gotten her into trouble all her life, and through the most exhilarating experiences she’s ever had.  That phrase is the first of many lines people will remember from her second CD, Low Fidelity, and it’ll be among the words you’ll remember when you hear her in concert.

Like everything about Treasa Levasseur — and the songs she writes — it not only has the ring of truth, it is true.  There are plenty of singers who plumb the depths of personal experience — but very few of them have her sense of humour or the sharpness of her eye for detail.

Low Fidelity may well be a collection of personal songs and stories, but it is never mawkish or sentimental.  And her descriptions of romantic entanglements and love (sometimes lust) lost and found resonate with everyone.  Most everyone, after all, has lived to identify with the stories that Levasseur has to tell.

Levasseur plays piano, accordion, guitar, mandolin, and anything else she can get her hands on.  In May of 2008, she won CBC Radio’s ‘Ultimate Sideman Showdown’ with her trusty accordion and charming presence.  Heavily influenced by such soulful artists as Mavis Staples, Carole King and Annie Lennox, she remains musically versatile and has played everything from heavy metal to hiphop, country, pop, and thought provoking folk music.

Above all, Levasseur has a passion for making music.  She simply wants to PLAY — and, in addition to her own career, she always makes the time to play with at least three other bands on a regular basis.  You can find her, most Thursdays, playing with singer songwriter Corin Raymond at the Cameron House.  And she’ll pop up at tiny bars in Toronto’s Parkdale, singing backup or squeezing the accordion for whoever’s on stage.  As a result, Treasa has found a unique place in Toronto’s busy independent music scene.

Born in Winnipeg, raised in North Bay, and long-time resident in Toronto, Levasseur’s roots spread far and dig deep.  She goes “home” several times a year, but she’s also discovered an adopted home – Memphis Tennessee.  Since first visiting the South in 2006, she has begun to draw more and more of her inspiration from the rich motherlode of classic old-school soul.  Plans are in place for Treasa to record at Memphis’ famed Ardent Studios with Hi Records producer Willie Mitchell and guitar hero Teeny Hodges – both integral figures on all of Al Green’s hits!

Levasseur is making her plans for 2009 and the years further ahead; she’s determined to make a major contribution to festivals in Canada, and equally determined to take her music to the UK and Europe.

On Sunday June 14th she’ll be bringing her exceptional talents to Waterfront Blues.  Don’t miss it!