Contact high

>> Annie Dufresne eyes the linguistic divide

by RUPERT BOTTENBERG

From Hollywood to Hong Kong, acting and singing go hand in hand. According to Quebec rockeuse Annie Dufresne and her manager/musical partner Steve Scala, that doesn't seem to apply in Quebec. Quite the opposite, in fact.

"Professionally, I've been an actress since I was 16," says Dufresne, who also sang in garage bands as a teen. "My first role was in an educational film. Then I got an agent in Montreal, and I started doing a lot of commercials. When I turned 18, I said bye-bye to the last grade of high school and my little town, and came to Montreal to work." She also studied literature--having her union card already, she saw no need for theatre school. Acting went well, but singing proved tougher. "I refused some things with the majors, Spice Girls type stuff. I wasn't comfortable with that."

Scala caught her fronting a band for fun, and was struck by her rambunctious stage presence. "It's the funnest part," she says. "It makes the songs come alive. That energy is the best drug." That energy found its way onto Contact, her independent debut CD, which reflects both Scala's old-school rock sensibilities and Dufresne's modern curiosity--there's the trip-hoppy "Megalomane Superstar," for instance, and her cool cover of "Ca Plane Pour Moi." Plastic Bertrand themselves have selected it from among 350 versions for a forthcoming tribute disc.

The Quebec media isn't so warm on the whole thing. "Since she's an actress," says Scala, "they've had a hard time thinking she could do anything else. They're very narrow-minded. Now that they're seeing her live, they're starting to realize that there's something going on here."

"I did a video for 'Ca M'amuse Encore,'" says Dufresne, "and Musique Plus refused it, but Muchmusic and TV Ontario loved it. Maybe it's because we didn't use grants--it's sort of a private club. But the reaction was good in the rest of Canada."

Canada--and beyond. Her Web site has seen traffic from all over. "I've been chatting with a teacher from Texas who bought my album. She teaches French, so they translate my songs in her class." That may not last, because Dufresne's next album will likely be primarily in English. "I want to do both. I'm working on my English right now--I like to sing in English, especially for the rock thing. It's more happening, and easier. If you want to rock the planet, why not?"

A perfect 10

>> Cover girl Annie Dufresne selects her faves from the last year

-- Annie Dufresne eyes the linguistic divide -- Genetically programmed for your listening pleasure -- Depressing sounds for the holidays -- Electronic sounds for the hard-to-please -- The sound of Christmas evil -- This year's bumper crop of comp CDs made easy -- DJ sets in your Discman this season -- Stuffing the R&B renaissance in your stocking -- Country cracker Christmas -- This holiday season, rock the Chanukah bush in style -- Some seasonal jazz hints -- Yuletide mood swings

1. Fiona Apple When the Pawn...

I've liked everything she's done so far, and this album is just as good as her first one. She's one hell of a good songwriter and singer and really has her own style. I'd rate this one a perfect 10.

2. St-Germain Tourist

I really enjoy this kind of jazzy-bluesy trance by Ludovick Navarre--very innovative and refreshing.

3. Air The Virgin Suicides

Always liked Air's musical moods. This soundtrack to Sofia Coppola's movie has a lot of versatility and the the Ennio Morricone sampling bit is awesome.

4. Bob Marley Chant Down Babylon

If he were still alive, I think he would probably like this one. Remixed by his son Stephen, this sounds like a great musical family reunion with guests like Lauryn Hill, Rakim and Lost Boyz adding their style and flavour.

5. Wyclef Jean The Ecleftic

Wyclef surrounds himself with guests like Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston and Earth Wind & Fire, just to mention a few. The melodies are strong, yet with a street edge to them.

6. Pennywise Live

I relate this kind of high-energy music to snowboarding, an activity I really enjoy. The anthem "Brohim," dedicated to Jason Durst who passed away, is my favourite.

7. No Doubt Return of Saturn

I like Gwen Stefani's personality. She is such a charismatic performer. I know this album didn't do as well on the charts as the first one, but I think it's underrated. I'll give it an 8.

8. Blur The Best of...

A great album to get for those who don't know much about the band. They've done some great singles in the last decade, most of which are included here.

9. Eminem The Marshall Mathers EP

His music is all about his lyrics, which are perverse and flushed with rage. I find his hardcore attitude very entertaining.

10. Offspring Conspiracy of One

A true American band. Although I don't consider this their best, it continues in the vein of the three high-energy predecessors. I really dig their California good-vibe party songs.