Coeur de Pirate: The Indie Pop Voice of Quebec

Béatrice Martin, known professionally as Coeur de Pirate, is a singer-songwriter and pianist from Montreal, Quebec. Her self-titled debut album, released in 2008, became a massive Francophone success, eventually achieving Diamond certification in Canada and propelling her to international recognition.

Early career

Born in 1989, Béatrice Martin began playing piano at the age of three and was classically trained. Her stage name, translating to "Pirate's Heart," was adopted during her teenage years while she played in a post-hardcore band and later began posting piano-driven songs online. This early online presence caught the attention of the independent label Grosse Boîte, which signed her and facilitated the recording of her first album.

Breakthrough

Coeur de Pirate's breakthrough arrived swiftly with the 2008 release of her debut album, Coeur de pirate. The lead single Comme des enfants became an inescapable hit across Quebec and France, topping digital charts. The album's intimate, chanson-inspired pop resonated widely, leading to multi-platinum and eventually Diamond sales status in Canada, selling over 1,000,000 copies.

Key tracks

Comme des enfants — The breakout single that defined her early sound and topped iTunes charts in France.

Ensemble — A later hit showcasing her pop evolution, which reached the top 10 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart.

Oublie-moi — A sophisticated, string-laden track from her album Roses that highlights her artistic growth.

Carry On — A notable English-language track featuring vocals from Bedouin Soundclash's Jay Malinowski.

Prédateur — A bold, synth-driven single from her 2021 album Impossible à aimer.

Following her explosive debut, Coeur de Pirate expanded her scope with the 2011 album Blonde, which debuted at number one on the Canadian Albums Chart and earned a Polaris Music Prize longlist nomination. She further diversified by composing the soundtrack for the Quebec television series Trauma and releasing albums like 2015's bilingual Roses and 2018's orchestral En cas de tempête, ce jardin sera fermé. Her collaborations are extensive, including work with Julien Doré, Pierre Lapointe, and the French band M83.

Fans of Coeur de Pirate's melodic, emotionally resonant songwriting should also explore Charlotte Cardin, a fellow Montrealer who blends pop with soulful electronic production. The sophisticated piano-pop of Alexandra Stréliski offers a compelling instrumental counterpart. For another key voice in modern Quebec chanson, listen to Louis-Jean Cormier. The intimate lyrical focus of Daniel Bélanger also shares a creative kinship with her work.

Coeur de Pirate's catalog is a staple on a variety of radio formats, from mainstream pop stations to specialty shows focusing on Francophone music and indie singer-songwriters. Her music regularly features on online radio streams dedicated to Canadian content and independent artists, ensuring her piano-driven narratives reach a global audience.

The music of Coeur de Pirate can be heard on radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover her evocative indie pop through the curated selection of radio stations available on onairium.com.