Librairie Résonance's bookstore concerts set the stage for musical experimentation

At the crossroads of Little Italy, the Mile End, and Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie, Librairie Résonance is at the heart of a neighbourhood made up of veteran dive bars, staple late-night food joints, barber shops, old school laundromats, trendy buvettes, and pizza spots.

It's where owner Jean Lavigne decided to turn his passion for books and music into a reality. Despite being a niche market and opening during the pandemic, Librairie Résonance has managed to remain devoted exclusively to music books, drawing in melomaniacs and curious visitors alike. But while it has hosted book signings with artists like renowned musician and writer Warren Ellis alongside impromptu performances by local artists like Martha Wainwright, Daniel Belanger and many others, Librairie Résonance is evolving into more than just a bookstore.

This small shop is making its mark on both the local neighbourhood and the broader music community by offering a retreat where live music resonates off the books and fills the room, where Lavigne opens his doors to musicians of all levels and backgrounds, who bring the stories on his shelves to life in turn.

A nod to NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series, the Tiny Bookstore Concerts at Résonance are held in a pay-what-you-can, 5 à 7 style, with all proceeds going directly to performers. No more than 30 guests fill every nook and cranny of the space.

“People tell me I’m giving them a gift, but really, they’re giving me one,” says Lavigne.

The perfect space

“I had a bed and breakfast for 12 years (on St-Denis, at the corner of Beaubien). When I saw the pandemic was continuing, I said, ‘That’s it. I’m pulling the plug and doing something else with my life,’” says Lavigne.

“So, I was 55 then, and my wife said, ‘Well, listen, you’ve always dreamt of having a bookstore,’” he adds.

“I’ve always said that the best job I’ve ever had was my first job. When I was 17, I worked in a record store. Just being in that environment of listening to music and talking about music with like-minded people.”

“So then I thought, maybe these two ideas together would work,” he continues.

Lavigne was intentional about looking for a place that connected both Anglophone and Francophone neighbourhoods, and landed on Résonance's current address of a small space in November 2021 next to one of his favourite restaurants, Gus.

“I knew the area very well and saw it evolving. This is where I wanted to be—near the Mile End, close to the Plateau, very central but not too far,” he says. 

It's a tiny space but sports high ceilings, lots of natural light, and is located on the ground floor. Concert posters, tapes and vintage radios line the walls, while the shelves feature a carefully curated selection of music-themed works, ranging from autobiographies and essays to punk, rock, jazz and hip hop stories as well as children’s books and more. Thoughtful handwritten notes splay across the room, making the space feel like you're stepping into someone’s home.

“I’ll be honest, which I always am with my customers: Before opening here, I had probably read three books on music. In the last three years, I’ve read about two hundred now,” says Lavigne.

Lavigne often credits how his customers have played an important role in shaping his curation that is less focused on mainstream artists and includes the rare finds that many won’t find at places like Chapters or Indigo. They've also influenced the growing number of concerts and events he hosts in the shop.

An open stage

Lavigne began hosting events within his first year of opening that ranged from book signings and art showings to intimate live music nights, which later evolved into his Tiny Bookstore Concerts series.

"Many of the artists who perform here are customers," says Lavigne. "I have time to chat with people. Often they'll ask if they can perform or put up posters, and I offer to host them here."

With fewer spaces for artists to perform in the city, Lavigne is not only helping emerging talents, but also breaks down any barriers for anyone wanting to experiment regardless of their level or musical background.

“One time, we had this trio with a drummer. It was intense. These guys were in their 40s and 50s and it was the first time the drummer had ever played for his son," he recalls.

“Jean is a creative, community-oriented person. He’s kind of a dreamer in the way he is taking part in the Anglo-Franco community and just wants to gather everybody,” says local folk singer-songwriter Kim Albert, who's played at Résonance.

“To have a space like this, where you can try new things and have people actually listen, is really precious to me. 20 people who don’t know me are coming to discover some music. There aren’t many places in Montreal that offer that.”

"I have goosebumps thinking about (Kim Albert's performance), it was just beautiful," Lavigne recalls. "It was not long before Christmas, and people were just listening. It just creates those magical moments."

Simon Angell from Thus Owls, who spent years playing in the first iteration of Patrick Watson’s band, has held a monthly residency at Lavigne’s bookstore for the past year, often performing with guest musicians like local drummer and composer Tommy Crane. His reason behind choosing the bookstore was to opt for a low-key space to explore new compositions and improv-based sets.

“The setup is so intimate, it feels like you’re playing in someone’s living room. I didn’t realize until my first performance how great the acoustics are—then I realized: it’s because there are books everywhere; they’re amazing sound insulators,” says Angell. “Even when there are 8-10 people it still feels right.”

For Angell, as people can be so glued to their phones, seldom looking up from what’s in front of them, cultivating meaningful connections and community can feel like a rare commodity. “If we can hold on to that human connection, the real connection, it would do wonders. I think places like Jean’s really help foster that,” he adds.

“There’s something extremely special about playing in a space where audiences and performers are within 20 feet from each other,” Lavigne notes.

"I think it's a special shop, it’s unique in the world and it’s in Montreal. So let’s keep it going."