Spotlight: Genevieve Racette

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Spotlight: Genevieve Racette

In this edition of Spotlight: Genevieve Racette, we reconnect with the acclaimed Canadian folk-pop artist as she prepares to release Golden (Deluxe), an expanded and deeply reflective version of one of the most defining albums of her career. Shaped by a year of international touring, personal growth, and artistic evolution, Golden (Deluxe) revisits familiar songs through a more intimate lens while introducing newly recorded material that allows the music to grow alongside the artist herself. From haunting reinterpretations to moments of quiet healing, this new chapter captures Geneviève Racette at her most honest and emotionally resonant.

For readers discovering you for the first time, how did your journey into music begin?

I grew up in a very musical family. My mother taught piano at home and my father is a big music lover. Both my siblings play instruments as well. My sister sings and plays piano, and my brother plays guitar. I have always loved music, and I am so grateful that my parents gave me the space to be who I wanted to be. They encouraged me every step of the way, from my first guitar to the last concert I played in Montreal. Family has played a huge part in my career.

Golden has been described as one of the most defining albums of your career. When you look back on it now, what does that record represent to you personally?

This record represents healing. I wrote, recorded, and produced it during a time of deep personal turmoil. I created a world through these songs to escape the one I was living in. When I look back on Golden, I still feel the pain I was in, but I also feel very proud that I was able to turn that pain into something creative and beautiful. I turned sorrow into something golden.

With Golden (Deluxe) arriving January 30, 2026, what inspired you to revisit this album rather than simply move on to something new?

The idea for the deluxe version first came up when I wrote the song Common Denominator. As soon as I finished it, I knew it belonged on Golden. I wanted to record it and add it to the album, but it was too late. Production was already finished and the timeline did not work. I thought, what if I keep it and release it later as part of a deluxe version? The idea kept growing while we were on tour. We were performing a new version of Come As You Are that fans really connected with. One thing led to another, and here we are with four bonus tracks.

The deluxe edition features newly recorded songs and stripped-back arrangements shaped by touring and reflection. How did the past year on the road influence the way these songs evolved?

My relationship with these songs definitely changed while touring. When we released Golden in 2024, I went on the road for seven weeks, playing these songs night after night. It was my longest tour so far. Performing such deeply personal songs repeatedly made them feel like they no longer belonged only to me. They stopped being just about my story and became about all of us. That really struck me.

Your reimagining of Nirvana’s “Come As You Are” has resonated deeply with listeners. What drew you to that song, and how did you approach making it your own?

I have been a Nirvana fan for as long as I can remember. As a teenager, I connected to the heaviness of their music. I could blow off steam, jump around, and scream. Today, it is the songwriting and melodies that hit me the most. Come As You Are has always been there for me. I have been humming it since I was a kid. Covering it feels like going back to my roots, even though I transformed it into something that reflects who I am today. I actually recorded a cover of this song back in 2016. It was acoustic, very soft, and recorded in a church. With Golden, I had so much fun experimenting with production, so we wanted to bring some of that energy into this new version. It all started when I bought a harmonizer for the live show. I sat down and naturally started singing Come As You Are.

Your music often feels intimate and emotionally open. How do you balance vulnerability with self-protection when sharing such personal work?

I have been told that my vulnerability is my superpower. It comes up all the time in interviews and conversations about my music. I used to hold back in my songwriting, but once I realized I did not have to, that is when my career really started moving forward. I try to see vulnerability as a tool. For me, sharing is healing. Of course, I do not sing about every personal detail of my life, but accepting my sensitivity and openness has been life changing.

Over the past year, you’ve experienced major milestones, chart success, sync placements, and your biggest international tour to date. How has this momentum changed your perspective as an artist?

These milestones feel validating for sure, but they don’t suddenly change how I see myself or my work. What they do is remind me that I can keep going, even when things feel uncertain. I am still questioning myself and still learning, but I feel a bit more anchored in the idea that there is space for me to exist as an artist.

Touring across Canada, the U.S., and the UK can be transformative. What did you learn about yourself during this chapter that you didn’t know before?

Oh my gosh, so much. I learned that I am not a night person and that I really need alone time. I learned that after a few weeks on the road, I can become very focused and intense when I want things done properly. But I also learned how deeply committed I am to music. I learned that seeing friends along the way is one of the best parts of touring. I learned that I can drive for very long hours during the day, but absolutely not at night. I learned that I am hypersensitive. Touring is a huge learning experience, and I am still learning from it.

Your work has been praised by outlets like Rolling Stone, Exclaim!, CBC, and SiriusXM. How do you stay grounded creatively while receiving that kind of recognition?

It is definitely gratifying and really nice to receive validation from both the industry and the public. As a deeply insecure person, I honestly need it sometimes. I am grateful every single day. But trust me, as artists, we constantly go through very humbling experiences. For every good thing, there are so many hard ones. Those moments remind me that I am still the same Geneviève who once never played outside of Québec and never charted. After more than a decade of pushing, people are finally starting to know who I am. Yay!

What is one thing you are most proud of in your career so far?

I built a team that is almost entirely made up of women, from management to booking, musicians, and PR. Since we work in a male-dominated field, I am really proud of that. At one point, I realized that most of the time I was sitting at tables talking about my career, I was surrounded only by men. Women bring a different perspective and a different energy. There is something comforting about working with women. I love them and I am so proud of my team.

What is the most interesting thing you’ve learned about yourself through creating and sharing music?

I have learned that I am much stronger than I thought I was. Writing and sharing music has shown me that I can face difficult emotions, talk about them openly, and still keep going. It has taught me resilience for sure.

What is one question you think should be asked more in interviews, but isn’t asked often enough?

Questions about sobriety. I have been sober for nine years, and I have so much to say about it. The music industry has normalized alcohol abuse, and it is so important to check in with yourself and make sure you are still getting what you want out of alcohol.

What do you hope fans take away from your music?

I hope people feel the way I feel when I listen to my favorite artists. I hope my music gives them an escape from the world and helps them feel soothed

Spotlight: Genevieve Racette captures an artist embracing growth, reflection, and the freedom to let her music evolve alongside her.

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Hidden Beats

Spotlight: Genevieve Racette

For readers discovering you for the first time, how did your journey into music begin?

Golden has been described as one of the most defining albums of your career. When you look back on it now, what does that record represent to you personally?

With Golden (Deluxe) arriving January 30, 2026, what inspired you to revisit this album rather than simply move on to something new?

The deluxe edition features newly recorded songs and stripped-back arrangements shaped by touring and reflection. How did the past year on the road influence the way these songs evolved?

Your reimagining of Nirvana’s “Come As You Are” has resonated deeply with listeners. What drew you to that song, and how did you approach making it your own?

Your music often feels intimate and emotionally open. How do you balance vulnerability with self-protection when sharing such personal work?

Over the past year, you’ve experienced major milestones, chart success, sync placements, and your biggest international tour to date. How has this momentum changed your perspective as an artist?

Touring across Canada, the U.S., and the UK can be transformative. What did you learn about yourself during this chapter that you didn’t know before?

Your work has been praised by outlets like Rolling Stone, Exclaim!, CBC, and SiriusXM. How do you stay grounded creatively while receiving that kind of recognition?

What is one thing you are most proud of in your career so far?

What is the most interesting thing you’ve learned about yourself through creating and sharing music?

What is one question you think should be asked more in interviews, but isn’t asked often enough?

What do you hope fans take away from your music?

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