GOLDIE BOUTILIER: Dreaming in Technicolor

Photographer DRAKE HACKNEY @drakehackney
Stylist ESTELLE APORONGAO @estella.png
Hair ZACH MORAD for Exclusive Artists using Unite Haircare @zacharymorad
Makeup LUPE MORENO @lupemoreno_mua
Production Coordinator CASSIDY COCKE @cassidy.ac
Producer ANNA VOLKOVA @volkacreativespace
Location VOLKA CREATIVE SPACE @volkacreativespace

Words by Kiani Shabazz

In 1939, the world of film was forever changed with the release of Judy Garland’s breakout role in the seminal blockbuster The Wizard of Oz. The film ushered in the marvel of Technicolor. What had once been confined to shadows and sepia erupted into a dreamlike flood of color and vibrancy, revealing new depths of emotion, storytelling, and childlike imagination. It demonstrated how art reshapes the familiar into something unforgettable.

For Goldie Boutilier, music is her Land of Oz. It’s the yellow brick road that carried her out of grayscale and painted her world with richness and meaning. Her Kansas is Cape Breton Island—a small fishing town on the coast of Canada. From those humble beginnings, she found that music wasn’t just a pastime; it was a catalyst to share the light of her dreams with those around her.
  

Her most recent album, Goldie Montana, introduces a femme fatale anti-hero in the vein of Ziggy Stardust and Tony Montana. This alter ego is a magnified reflection of her own story, infused with the fire of her lived experience. She calls the sound “resilience pop.” For Goldie, the journey is about audacity: chasing possibility with unapologetic conviction. Because life without dreams is black and white—and her world plays in technicolor and surround sound.

Where are you in the world right now?

I’m on set getting glammed up for my shoot with you guys. I’m just getting my makeup done, look ing out the window. There’s a beautiful pool, and about five really oiled-up buff men in these tiny little shorts. I don’t know if that has anything to do with the shoot, but I’m excited about it.

I always like to start by asking what makes up the creative DNA of an artist. Who is Goldie Boutilier?
I was born in a place called Cape Breton, on the east coast of Canada. It was a fisherman’s town— very lovely humble beginnings. The music that comes out of there is a little more Celtic, but I grew up listening to the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Laura Branigan, and all those types of artists. I grew up singing in a choir. Music was my earliest memory and was always a safe space for me. I started playing the piano when I was little and would sit for hours, just playing to get my feelings out. That’s how it all started.

How did your latest alter ego, Goldie Montana, come into play? How do you distinguish that character from Goldie Boutilier?

The alter ego is something many artists have done that I’ve drawn inspiration from. David Bowie had Ziggy Stardust. Beyoncé had Sasha Fierce. My alter ego came after watching Scarface a million times. I’ve always been drawn to the anti-hero character. Throughout my life, I’ve lived through many colorful chapters, so I’ve always related to those types of characters. I wrote this album not coming from my perspective but through the eyes of Goldie Montana, a pumped-up version of me. A real badass who takes what she wants and doesn’t apologize for anything. I think we all have multiple alter egos within us. It’s something you can use to motivate yourself and push through challenging times.

What is it about the anti-hero persona that you’re most drawn to?
Casino and Scarface are my two favorite films of all time. I’ve watched them so many times, so I think that’s always been a natural reference point for me. It’s in my zeitgeist. There have been many times in my life when I had to just get myself together—going through situations where I realized my softness, maybe that Canadian politeness, wasn’t always what I needed.

I noticed a femme fatale archetype in Goldie Montana. Is that an accurate observation?

I think I took a lot of inspiration from femme fatale characters. I was watching a lot of those movies while working on this album. I guess it’s just a huge part of who I am as a person now. I think that’s what Goldie Montana is as an alter ego: the femme fatale, badass woman. For the “Goldie Montana” music video, I referenced this movie called Summer Stock with Judy Garland. It came at a time when she was struggling with a lot of personal issues off-screen, but she still showed up on stage to entertain and bring joy. I really relate to her a lot as a woman and absolutely loved the creative direction behind the film.

You’ve said this album is your most confessional work yet. What gave you the courage to be so open?
I should probably stop saying that because everything I do is incredibly personal and vulnerable. I call it emotional bungee jumping. I just try to do things that make me uncomfortable. And if I know I’m talking about a topic that makes other people uncomfortable, I love it—because that’s where growth happens.

What song on the album best represents that vulnerability?
One of my favorites is “I Am the Rich Man.” It was inspired by this classic Cher interview, where she said her mom always suggested she settle down and marry a rich man. The song is really inspired by my past, realizing I can do all of those things myself. I’m not waiting for anyone to save me. I am that rich man. I took myself shopping. I got everything I need on my own.

The first track, “King of Possibilities,” really stood out to me. It introduces the album’s theme and sonic landscape. How important is the perfect opening track?
The first song on any album is so important—just like the opening scene of a movie. I’ve always been into vintage cinema, and that’s where the inspiration came from. I’d watch an old James Bond movie and just Shazam all the songs. I’ve always wanted my music to feel cinematic. It’s not just about listening, it’s about feeling it. Most of the music I listen to is from the ‘70s and ‘80s. I love Marianne Faithfull, Steely Dan, and Fleetwood Mac. I always want my songs to feel like a Quentin Tarantino movie, and that continues on this album.

There are strong themes of resilience and triumph in your music. How do you draw on your real-life experiences when writing?
I’ve been extremely resilient, and that’s how I’m here now. I’ve been doing music for 20 years, and I’ve sat in meetings where people couldn’t care less about my music or what I was doing. It takes a lot of strength to keep coming back from that. But they’re not failures—you’re just learning as you go along. You could call my music resilience pop. It’s for the underdog. It’s not just about the music—it’s about the stories behind it.

After 20 years in the industry, how do you keep yourself from getting jaded or uninspired?
I’ve threatened to quit like every other week for at least a decade. It’s normal. But I eventually realized that I was being dramatic and had to fully commit. There were times I thought I missed my shot, and now I have this amazing momentum in my life. The music industry ain’t for the faint of heart.

You recently hit the road promoting the album. How have fans responding to the music?
I’ve been doing festivals all summer, and they’ve all been fantastic. The crowds have been crazy. It’s been nice seeing people singing the lyrics. I’ve had some people show up in Goldie Montana wigs. Experiencing the community has been great. It’s such a magical, intimate experience I get to have with everyone. When you play songs that nobody has heard yet, your expectations are low—but the reactions have been so good. I feel super confident about these songs.

What do you hope listeners will take away from this album?
My hope is that when people listen, they feel excited and motivated. I’ve been doing music for a long time, and I’ve worked very hard to get to a place where I could finally put out an album, go on tour, and really live my dreams. Not everybody wants to be a singer, but everyone has dreams. Everyone can find their own alter ego within themselves. It’s about finding ways to stay inspired and feeling like you’re in control of your life. I want the listener to know they can do anything, and that they’re badass, too.

BUY ISSUE 28