Ten minute tea with Afternoon Tea. Spend ten minutes with Afternoon Tea. In the time it takes to boil one kettle, and let one cup of tea steep, we will have your daily art + music fix covered. Take your afternoon break with our Afternoon Tea curators. Need an extra lump of sugar? One more sip? If you have five minutes more (or ten), we have one more hit.
Today’s tea + soundtrack + visuals curated by Sébastien De Francesco.
Québec-based singer-songwriter Sébastien De Francesco shares “Fleury Street,” a nostalgic and deeply moving folk-rock single that transforms a final goodbye into a celebration of friendship, gratitude, and the lasting impact we leave on one another. Rooted in a real afternoon spent with a close friend nearing the end of his life, the song embraces mortality not through sadness alone, but through warmth, humour, and the enduring power of human connection.
The song was inspired by one of the last afternoons Sébastien spent with a close friend who was dying of cancer. Unable to walk and navigating Montreal’s Fleury Street on a mobility scooter, his friend spent the day sharing stories, jokes, and hard-earned wisdom. The experience carried an even deeper significance for Sébastien, who had first admired him years earlier as one of his musical heroes.
“He was an incredible singer. I used to go see him perform with his band and looked up to him tremendously,” Sébastien explains. “He taught me life lessons that have stayed with me long after he was gone. This song became my way of preserving that moment.”
Stream + share “Fleury Street” now:
While many songs about loss are written from the perspective of those left behind, “Fleury Street” takes a different approach. Written from the view of the person preparing to leave, the song focuses on what can still be given even when time is running short. Rather than dwelling on absence, it celebrates presence and the ability to leave one final spark behind for the people who matter most.
“‘Fleury Street’ is a reminder that life isn’t measured by how much time we have, but by what we choose to do with that time,” Sébastien says. “My friend taught me that even at the end of the road, there’s still time to make people laugh, love, and feel seen.”
Working alongside producer and multi-instrumentalist Lauren Bélec, Sébastien sought to create a timeless sound that would allow the story to remain front and centre. Inspired by classic songwriting traditions and the emotional string arrangements found on The Beatles recordings such as “Eleanor Rigby,” the pair incorporated sweeping Abbey Road string samples, organic instrumentation, and cinematic textures throughout the arrangement.
The result is a warm, cinematic listening experience that feels like a summer afternoon suspended in memory; filled with laughter, reflection, and the quiet realization that life’s most meaningful moments are often its simplest.
One piece of music: The piece of music I chose is “She Came In Through the Bathroom Window” from Abbey Road, which has always been my favorite Beatles album. I’ve always admired the effortless way the Beatles blended memorable melodies with sophisticated songwriting, and this song is a perfect example of that.
What I love most is how much it accomplishes in such a short time. The melody, vocal harmonies, groove, and subtle musical twists all serve the song without ever feeling overcomplicated. It’s a reminder that great songwriting isn’t about doing more—it’s about making every note and every lyric count.
I’ve known the artist Alexis Gervais since he was about 20 years old, and over the years we’ve developed a wonderful creative partnership. He’s creating the artwork for all of my upcoming singles, and I couldn’t imagine a better artist to help bring these songs to life visually. It has been inspiring to watch him become the extraordinary artist he is today. His philosophy—that art should tell the story of its time—resonates deeply with me. He describes his work as “universal, timeless, primitive, and futuristic all at once,” allowing inspiration to flow through him until it takes shape through his hands, his mind, and his heart.
I chose his piece Alces Premier because it reflects the way I approach songwriting. At first glance, it feels abstract, but the more time you spend with it, the more details, textures, and connections begin to reveal themselves. Alexis often works with raw materials like cement, creating works that feel both grounded and timeless. I hope my music invites listeners to have the same experience—to discover something new with every listen.
One of my favorite discoveries in Costa Rica was the cacao and ginger tea from Don Juan Arenal. The rich cacao gives it a smooth, almost velvety flavor, while the ginger adds just the right amount of warmth and spice. It quickly became my go-to afternoon ritual.
Beyond its incredible taste, I love that it’s made with ingredients known for their natural health benefits. Cacao is rich in antioxidants, while ginger has long been recognized for its anti-inflammatory properties. Together, they make a comforting cup that’s not only delicious but also associated with supporting heart health and overall well-being. It’s one of those simple pleasures I’ll definitely be bringing home with me.
Tea + Me 