When music transcends language barriers, that's when you know you're listening to something truly special.

Canadian singer-songwriter BÉATRICE MARTIN released one of my absolute favourite albums of 2011 as COEUR DE PIRATE, with the 60's inspired [and entirely sung in French], 'Blonde'.

Get familiar...

"Belle... she wasn't sleeping or half-dead waiting to be rescued, and she loved beyond looks, which is what every little girl should be taught in the first place."

COUP DE MAIN: Who or what, are your main songwriting influences and inspirations?
COEUR DE PIRATE - BÉATRICE MARTIN: Usually the things that happen in my life are an easy trigger for songwriting. And then as influences go, I'd have to say Dolly Parton, Townes Van Zandt, Françoise Hardy, Serge Gainsbourg, Leonard Cohen, Mick Jagger, and a little Bruce Springsteen.

CDM: For those that haven't heard your music before, how would you describe it?
BÉATRICE: It's basically pop music, in French, heavily inspired from the 60's on my last record...

CDM: What does your song 'Verseau' mean to you personally?
BÉATRICE: It talks about a girl dealing with her own insecurities, in a relationship that she clearly shouldn't be in with a guy that clearly doesn't care. It was my own way of facing my problems, writing that song.

CDM: Which song on your 'Blonde' album took you the longest to write?
BÉATRICE: 'Place De La République', probably. It was the first song I wrote for it too.

CDM: What was running through your mind when you wrote your song 'La Petite Mort'?
BÉATRICE: I was trying to put myself in the situation of someone that was going through major loss. Losing someone to death or sickness, and having to go through life on your own afterwords.

CDM: What are your favourite lyrics that you've ever written and why?
BÉATRICE: "Tu dis que I'm your only one c'est ça prends moi pour une conne..." - I had never written something so direct before, and it is, pretty much, what most of us girls have on our minds whenever someone tries to make amends after hurting us.

CDM: Could you ever see yourself releasing an entire album sung in English?
BÉATRICE: I'm trying that right now.

CDM: What was it like recording the 'Armistice' EP with The Bronx?
BÉATRICE: The Bronx are great. I have a lot of respect for those guys, they know more about music and how that world works than most of the players out there. It's a shame we never went further with that project.

CDM: If you had a pet unicorn, what would you name it/her/him?
BÉATRICE: Peter <3

CDM: Who are your favourite pop-culture icons from the 60's?
BÉATRICE: I loved what Brigitte Bardot represented in the 60's. Definite favourite.

CDM: What are your five favourite things in the whole wide world?
BÉATRICE: Peanut butter, listening to a song for the first time and finding it awesome, baking, my husband, and future baby girl.

CDM: If you could be any Disney princess, which one would you want to be?
BÉATRICE: Probably Belle. At least she wasn't sleeping or half-dead waiting to be rescued, and she loved beyond looks, which is what every little girl should be taught in the first place.

CDM: What was it like collaborating with 'Uranium' to design three pieces for their accessories-line?
BÉATRICE: It's been great! I loved the line  and I'm a big fan of the company, so when they asked me to design I immediately accepted. Drawing is something I do on the side, I like to see it be of use at times ;)

CDM: If C.O.E.U.R. D.E. P.I.R.A.T.E. was a real-life acronym, what would each letter stand for?
BÉATRICE:
C  caramel
O  oregon
E  eleanor rigby
U  uranus
R ridiculous

D  deer
E  elephant

P  photography
I  island
R  rose
A  atlas
T terrier
E  elegant

CDM: What's next for Coeur De Pirate?
BÉATRICE: Nothing for the moment, I'll just try to squeeze in a couple of concerts at the beginning of 2013 and hopefully work and collaborate on other projects with other people. I'd like that.

CDM: Can we hope that you'll visit us in New Zealand one day?
BÉATRICE: I'd love to come to Middle Earth! Apparently Auckland is an amazing city, one of the best to live in too. If I ever make my way there I'll let you guys know, but playing shows out there would definitely make some of my dreams come true.

COEUR DE PIRATE's latest album 'Blonde' is out now - featuring the singles 'Adieu' and 'Golden Baby'. Click HERE to purchase via WOW HD.

Watch the 'Golden Baby' music video below...