Serge Monette passes the torch

Serge Monette had a very special guest at the Sudbury launch of his third CD, Capital humain, last week.

His 16-year-old daughter, Elodie Monette-Dugas, herself an aspiring musician, performed alongside Monette at the CD launch, held at the Speakeasy. Her vocals are also heard on several tracks on the CD.

“To have my daughter with me is a nice moment, because it's family,” Monette said. “It's also showing her the ropes.”

Working with young musicians is nothing new for Monette.

Originally from Val-Thérèse, the Laurentian University graduate left Sudbury two decades ago, and is currently a music teacher for the French Catholic school board in the Ottawa area.

“It's a special program for these kids that come from all over Ottawa,” Monette said. “We go into a professional studio, write songs, and record albums. It's a great venture.”

Although he's busy helping the next generation record albums, Monette has managed to find time to put out three of his own since 2001.

His latest album, sung in French with an electro folk rock sound, proves you can take the boy out of Sudbury, but you can't take Sudbury out of the boy.

The song "Jour de chance" ("My Lucky Day"), features many references to Sudbury's mining roots, Monette said.

“It's about meeting someone, and she shines like nickel,” he said. “That's what the chorus is. All the lyrics are references about going into a mine and going into caverns of love.”

The CD, which costs $10, is available for purchase at sergemonette.bandcamp.com.