La Tène
NEWS
- 10/09/2024
La Tène on tour in 2024
La Tène & guests are back, a big sound insect with dull psychedelia, buzzing and rebellious, elastic and grainy! La Tène is a psychedelic gang that bludgeons all boundaries between minimalism (motifs) and maximalism (effects, volume, potency). It’s scree rock filled with silent psalms that rushes past you like an explosive-packed drakkar on a sea
- 13/09/2023
La Tène – new album ‘Ecorcha/Taillee’ + tour 2023 !
Bois, métal, savoir-faire ancestral et expérimentations sonores sont réunis dans la musique étrange de La Tène. Composé de trois membres originaires de France et de Suisse, leur nouvel album ‘Ecorcha/Taillée’ est annoncé sur le label genevois Les Disques Bongo Joe. . La Tène est un gang psychédélique annulant par la frappe toute frontière entre minimalisme (des motifs) et maximalisme (des
- 20/05/2022
La Tène est de retour en mai 2022 (FR/CH) !
La Tène est de retour, gros insecte sonore au psychédélisme mat, bourdonnant et frondeur, élastique et granuleux; à Paris (Petit Bain) avec ‘Tal Coal’ de Maud Herrera le 23, à Bruxelles (Brasserie Atlas) le 24, à Dijon le 25, à Strasbourg (Pelpass Festival) le 26, à Pully (CH – L’Octogone Théâtre de Pully) le 27. Alexis
BIO
Ten years ago, La Tène released their first record, then as a trio with Cyril Bondi, d’Incise, and Alexis Degrenier. A decade, four albums, and multiple collaborations later, the group returns with Moreïne/Déclives—an album that feels as much like a celebration as it does an upheaval. True to its identity, La Tène continues to explore the cracks between tradition and experimentation, between hypnotic drone and repeated gestures, but this time they choose to move onto new ground: the hurdy-gurdy, the group’s emblematic instrument since the very beginning, disappears in favor of a stripped-down setup centered on two electronic percussions and live dub work.
This is not a mere stylistic twist: it is about transforming a constraint into a creative drive. Alexis Degrenier, long associated with the telluric sound of the hurdy-gurdy, can no longer play it. Yet he remains, above all, recognized as a percussionist and composer. With his companions, he decided to inscribe this transition into the very heart of the album: a way of thumbing their nose at fate, of turning a great and beautiful page, and of reminding us that La Tène has always fed on accidents, detours, and bifurcations.
Moreïne/Déclives is a warm and intense album, one that carries forward the band’s uncompromising universe while reshaping it from within. The roughness of wood and metal now resonates alongside electronic textures; the mechanical pulse of machines intertwines with the organic breath of the harmonium; and dub layers blur the reference points like shifting mirrors. Repetition, La Tène’s vital engine, becomes here even more mineral, almost incandescent, carving sonic landscapes that feel at once archaic and futuristic.
This new album also marks an intimate milestone: it is Alexis Degrenier’s final recording with La Tène. He leaves without turmoil or dramatic separation, but as one might step away from a house built together—with gratitude and pride. Neither rupture nor reformation: simply the closing of a cycle, making space for other possibilities. For life, as we know, only turns once—and this record keeps a luminous trace of it.
Moreïne/Déclives is thus both a farewell and a celebration, a culmination and a promise. It tells the story of a group that, for ten years, has refused compromise in order to invent its own language. And if this album is the last with Alexis, it carries within it the certainty that it will continue—beyond its groove—to resonate: for long, loud, and otherwise.
LINE-UP
Alexis Degrenier : percussions, electronics (former member, see press release)
Cyril Bondi : drums, percussions
Laurent Peter / D’incise : Indian harmonium, electronics
Guilhem Lacroux : guitar
Jérémie Sauvage : bass
Louis Jacques : cabrette, bagpipes
Jacques Puech : cabrette
Étienne Foyer : sound
With the financial support of Pro Helvetia, la Fondation Suisa, la Fondation SIS, la République and Canton de Genève
LINKS
PRESS
The Quietus
“La Tène’s music isn’t fundamentally about improvisation – rather the focus is on incremental change within a strict framework (for La Tène, a single album equals one track to a side). That starts as a wheezy waltz, like a dusty clockwork mechanism springing to life, draped with ribbons of drone and with Lacroux’s 12-string picking out an endlessly cycling eight-note motif and cabrettes (bagpipes) start to lead the dance.” Rockfort – David McKenna
The Wire
“Though La Tène’s music is based on finding inspiration in past melodies, Ecorcha/ Taillée feels decidedly of the moment. It’s music meant to be felt intrinsically, to be guided through the present with. In its ever-looping movements and chaotic detours, there’s a feeling of careless abandon, a call to let loose and surrender to now.” – Vanessa Ague
Bandcamp Big Ups
“La Tène is another example of this cyclic, repetitive trance music, but it’s mainly acoustic instrumentation which I think is really interesting. You don’t often hear that as new music” – Stephen O’Malley
CONTACT
Booking : Julien Bitaudeau
Press : Marc Chonier
Promo : Bongo Joe
TAGS
'Ecorcha / Taillée' (Teaser, 2023)
'L'Abandonnée' feat. J.Puech & L.Jacques (2018)
'La Maléja' feat. G.Lacroux & J.Sauvage (2018)
'Danse de l'Ortha' feat G.Lacroux & J.Sauvage (2018)
'Pa di issime' (2017)
'La Tardive' (2017)
'La Thouraz di Sopra' (2016)
DISCOGRAPHIE
Moreïne / Déclives
Les Disques Bongo Joe2025
LP / CD / Digital
Ecorcha/Taillée
Les Disques Bongo Joe2023
LP / CD / Digital
Abandonnée/Maleja
three:four records & Les Disques Bongo Joe2018
LP / CD / Digital
La Tardive/Issime
three:four tecords & Les Disques Bongo Joe2017
LP / CD / Digital
Vouerca/Fahy
three:four records2016
LP
Past shows
- DateCountryCityVenuewith
- 11/10/2024Irlande Belfast (UK)The Black Box (orga. Moving On Music)infos event
- 11/09/2024IrlandeDublin (IE)The Lost Lane (orga. Enthusiastic Eunuch)Méabh McKennainfos event
- 11/08/2024BelgiqueBruxelles (BE)Les Ateliers ClausImane Guemssyinfos event
- 11/07/2024Grande-Bretagne London (UK) Café OTOBradford Bailey (DJ)infos event
- 09/20/2024AllemagneLeipzig (DE)Seanaps Festival, WestflügelSofia Borges, Yosa Peit, Malu (dj)infos event
- 09/19/2024AllemagneBerlin (DE)90milinfos event
- 07/14/2024FranceCarhaix (29)Festival des Vieilles Charruesinfos event
- 06/15/2024SuisseGenève (CH) Baz'Artinfos event
- 02/24/2024FranceRennes (35)Antipode (ANNULÉ)Lankum, CRAZEinfos event
- 12/01/2023France Brest (29)Festival NoBorder, La CarèneMeral Polat trio, Toudonnerinfos event
- 11/13/2023BelgiqueBruxelles (BE)Goûte Mes Disques 15th birthday, La Source Beer CoActe Bontéinfos event
- 10/04/2023HongrieBudapest (HU)UH FestRien Virgule, Her()man's Pussyinfos event
- 10/03/2023République SlovaqueBratislava (SK)A4 infos event
- 02/24/2023FranceLyon (69)Le Périscopeinfos event
- 02/23/2023FranceGrenoble (38)La BobinePerrine Bourelinfos event
- 02/22/2023SuisseGenève (CH)Festival Antigel, Cave 12 (co-orga Bongo Joe)Société Étrangeinfos event
- 02/04/2023FranceNantes (44)Pôle Étudiant (orgas. Pannonica, Pôle Étudiant / Nantes Université et la Soufflerie)Ava Mendozainfos event
- 09/29/2022FranceStrasbourg (67)Musica, Sonic Temple à l'Église St-Paul (soirée co-programmée avec le Sonic Protest)Ellen Fulmann, Tristan Perich, György Ligeti par Shin-Young Leeinfos event
- 05/27/2022SuissePully (CH)L'Octogone (orgas. l'association du salopard & Plateforme10)infos event
- 05/26/2022FranceStrasbourg (67)Pelpass Festivalinfos event
- 05/25/2022FranceDijon (21)Quartier Libre des LentillèresLynhood
- 05/24/2022BelgiqueBruxelles (BE)Brasserie AtlasVica Pacheco, Ladr.ache event
- 05/23/2022FranceParis (75)Petit Bain'Tal Coal' de Maud Herrerainfos event
- 05/21/2021AllemagneMoers (DE)La Tène & guests - Moers Festival (STREAMING ARTE)infos event
- 12/06/2018FranceParisCENTRE CULTUREL SUISSEinfos event
- 07/22/2018PortugalSines (PT)FMM / Porto Covo - Largo Marquês de Pombal (ANNULÉ)Meridian Brothersinfos event
- 07/20/2018FranceCarhaixLes Vieilles Charrues (ANNULÉ)infos event
- 06/01/2018SuisseDudingenFestival KilbiGuest !infos event
- 05/19/2018FranceJoué-les-ToursLe Temps Machine (ANNULÉ)Sourdureinfos event
- 03/09/2018FranceGrenobleLa Bobine (ANNULÉ)Phoenician Driveinfos event
- 02/24/2018FranceAgenLE FLORIDASourdure, François Dumeauxinfos event
- 11/28/2017SuisseDüdingenBad BonnRazeninfos event
- 11/27/2017SuisseLausanneLe BourgRazeninfos event
- 10/24/2017SuisseGenèveCave 12guestinfos
- 10/15/2017BelgiqueBruxellesLa Compilothèque event
- 10/14/2017Pays-BasLa HayeMondriaan Jazz Festival event
- 09/29/2017FranceBordeauxUppercut festivalinfos event
- 09/22/2017FrancePlateau de MillevachesFête de la montagne
- 07/14/2017SuisseMontreuxJazz Festival Montreux, Château de Chilloninfos event
- 06/29/2017FrancePoitiersFestival Bruisme #7, Petit Cabaretinfos event
- 05/26/2017FranceChabeuil (26)Festival Rencontre entre les mondes, Centre Culturelinfos event
- 04/21/2017FranceMetzLa BAM / Les Trinitaires / EPCC Metz en ScènesAquasergeinfos event
- 03/31/2017FranceNantesFestival Variations, le lieu uniqueinfos
- 03/24/2017FranceMontreuilFestival Sonic Protest, La MarbrerieOrgue Agnès, Golden Orioleinfos event
- 03/23/2017FranceCherbourgLe Point du Jour
- 03/18/2017FranceNiortFestival Nouvelle(s) Scène(s)infos
- 01/29/2017SuisseBienne
- 01/27/2017SuisseLausanneThéâtre 2.21infos
- 01/26/2017SuisseBaselPlattfoninfos event
- 01/25/2017SuisseDüdingenBad Bonn event
- 11/10/2016FranceBourgesFestival Bandits Mages, Théâtre Jacques Coeurinfos event
- 11/06/2016FranceParisLe Point Éphémère - Festival WorldStock #4, Fête SouterraineArlt et le duo Puech/Gourdoninfos event
- 10/20/2016BelgiqueBruxellesAteliers Clausinfos
- 10/19/2016FranceReimsHall de la Cartonnerieinfos event
- 10/18/2016FranceLilleLa Malterieinfos
- 10/17/2016FranceToursLe Grilloninfos event
- 10/16/2016FranceBrestLe P'tit Minouinfos event
- 09/03/2016FranceRivières (81)Festival Baignade Interdite, Piscine d'Aiguelèzeinfos event
- 08/28/2016FranceLe MansLes siestes Teriaki (Parc)
- 08/26/2016SuisseGenèveLes Bains des Pâquisinfos
events
-
'Ecorcha / Taillée' (Teaser, 2023)
-
'L'Abandonnée' feat. J.Puech & L.Jacques (2018)
-
'La Maléja' feat. G.Lacroux & J.Sauvage (2018)
-
'Danse de l'Ortha' feat G.Lacroux & J.Sauvage (2018)
-
'Pa di issime' (2017)
-
'La Tardive' (2017)
-
'La Thouraz di Sopra' (2016)
NEWS
- 10/09/2024
La Tène on tour in 2024
La Tène & guests are back, a big sound insect with dull psychedelia, buzzing and rebellious, elastic and grainy! La Tène is a psychedelic gang that bludgeons all boundaries between minimalism (motifs) and maximalism (effects, volume, potency). It’s scree rock filled with silent psalms that rushes past you like an explosive-packed drakkar on a sea
- 13/09/2023
La Tène – new album ‘Ecorcha/Taillee’ + tour 2023 !
Bois, métal, savoir-faire ancestral et expérimentations sonores sont réunis dans la musique étrange de La Tène. Composé de trois membres originaires de France et de Suisse, leur nouvel album ‘Ecorcha/Taillée’ est annoncé sur le label genevois Les Disques Bongo Joe. . La Tène est un gang psychédélique annulant par la frappe toute frontière entre minimalisme (des motifs) et maximalisme (des
- 20/05/2022
La Tène est de retour en mai 2022 (FR/CH) !
La Tène est de retour, gros insecte sonore au psychédélisme mat, bourdonnant et frondeur, élastique et granuleux; à Paris (Petit Bain) avec ‘Tal Coal’ de Maud Herrera le 23, à Bruxelles (Brasserie Atlas) le 24, à Dijon le 25, à Strasbourg (Pelpass Festival) le 26, à Pully (CH – L’Octogone Théâtre de Pully) le 27. Alexis
BIO
Ten years ago, La Tène released their first record, then as a trio with Cyril Bondi, d’Incise, and Alexis Degrenier. A decade, four albums, and multiple collaborations later, the group returns with Moreïne/Déclives—an album that feels as much like a celebration as it does an upheaval. True to its identity, La Tène continues to explore the cracks between tradition and experimentation, between hypnotic drone and repeated gestures, but this time they choose to move onto new ground: the hurdy-gurdy, the group’s emblematic instrument since the very beginning, disappears in favor of a stripped-down setup centered on two electronic percussions and live dub work.
This is not a mere stylistic twist: it is about transforming a constraint into a creative drive. Alexis Degrenier, long associated with the telluric sound of the hurdy-gurdy, can no longer play it. Yet he remains, above all, recognized as a percussionist and composer. With his companions, he decided to inscribe this transition into the very heart of the album: a way of thumbing their nose at fate, of turning a great and beautiful page, and of reminding us that La Tène has always fed on accidents, detours, and bifurcations.
Moreïne/Déclives is a warm and intense album, one that carries forward the band’s uncompromising universe while reshaping it from within. The roughness of wood and metal now resonates alongside electronic textures; the mechanical pulse of machines intertwines with the organic breath of the harmonium; and dub layers blur the reference points like shifting mirrors. Repetition, La Tène’s vital engine, becomes here even more mineral, almost incandescent, carving sonic landscapes that feel at once archaic and futuristic.
This new album also marks an intimate milestone: it is Alexis Degrenier’s final recording with La Tène. He leaves without turmoil or dramatic separation, but as one might step away from a house built together—with gratitude and pride. Neither rupture nor reformation: simply the closing of a cycle, making space for other possibilities. For life, as we know, only turns once—and this record keeps a luminous trace of it.
Moreïne/Déclives is thus both a farewell and a celebration, a culmination and a promise. It tells the story of a group that, for ten years, has refused compromise in order to invent its own language. And if this album is the last with Alexis, it carries within it the certainty that it will continue—beyond its groove—to resonate: for long, loud, and otherwise.
LINE-UP
Alexis Degrenier : percussions, electronics (former member, see press release)
Cyril Bondi : drums, percussions
Laurent Peter / D’incise : Indian harmonium, electronics
Guilhem Lacroux : guitar
Jérémie Sauvage : bass
Louis Jacques : cabrette, bagpipes
Jacques Puech : cabrette
Étienne Foyer : sound
With the financial support of Pro Helvetia, la Fondation Suisa, la Fondation SIS, la République and Canton de Genève
LINKS
PRESS
The Quietus
“La Tène’s music isn’t fundamentally about improvisation – rather the focus is on incremental change within a strict framework (for La Tène, a single album equals one track to a side). That starts as a wheezy waltz, like a dusty clockwork mechanism springing to life, draped with ribbons of drone and with Lacroux’s 12-string picking out an endlessly cycling eight-note motif and cabrettes (bagpipes) start to lead the dance.” Rockfort – David McKenna
The Wire
“Though La Tène’s music is based on finding inspiration in past melodies, Ecorcha/ Taillée feels decidedly of the moment. It’s music meant to be felt intrinsically, to be guided through the present with. In its ever-looping movements and chaotic detours, there’s a feeling of careless abandon, a call to let loose and surrender to now.” – Vanessa Ague
Bandcamp Big Ups
“La Tène is another example of this cyclic, repetitive trance music, but it’s mainly acoustic instrumentation which I think is really interesting. You don’t often hear that as new music” – Stephen O’Malley
DISCOGRAPHIE
Moreïne / Déclives
Les Disques Bongo Joe2025
LP / CD / Digital
Ecorcha/Taillée
Les Disques Bongo Joe2023
LP / CD / Digital
Abandonnée/Maleja
three:four records & Les Disques Bongo Joe2018
LP / CD / Digital
La Tardive/Issime
three:four tecords & Les Disques Bongo Joe2017
LP / CD / Digital
Vouerca/Fahy
three:four records2016
LP
CONTACT
Booking : Julien Bitaudeau
Press : Marc Chonier
Promo : Bongo Joe