Biography

Motel Raphaël is an Indie Pop band from Montreal, led by Clara Legault and Maya Malkin. Since their inception in 2012, they’ve cemented themselves as household names in the Canadian indie music scene. Headlining performances at Osheaga, SXSW, The Montreal Jazz Festival, opening for Tegan and Sara, performing on Parliament Hill for Canada’s official 150th celebration, as well as coast to coast Canadian and US touring have garnered welcome comparisons to Tegan and Sara, Feist, First Aid Kit, Fleet Foxes, Haim and Arcade Fire as well as unabashedly glowing praise from the press community. In their new release “Close to You”, the driving bass line and vulnerable narrative carry the listener to the precipice of intimacy, while the ethereal harmonies beg them to fearlesslly jump in. The mix of Legault’s smooth and anchoring vocals with Malkin’s sensitive tone translates into a complexity of emotion felt throughout the length of the song. Currently, the girls are busy crafting their highly anticipated third full length release, collaborating with Connecticut based Grammy winning producer Peter Katis (The National, Interpol, Kurt Vile). Notable titles from this collection include “Close to You”, “Day Drinking: 9 to 5” and “My Pretty Friend”. These tracks explore themes of love, mental health and the drudgery of finding purpose in life.