ArtRose ExFolio by Les Antonymes

Dans les veines de la terre
Se frayer le chemin
Se lover entre les pierres
Jaillir au détour d’une colline
S’écouler, s’écouler
En mille lieux
I r r i g u e r

This is an excerpt from a poem by Shantala Pèpe, taken from her forthcoming book entitled “L'aigle, le vent et la plume”. It has no connection to the track "ArtRose" and no relationship with the picture by Stéphane Jossart. But it did make sense, at least to us, to bring them together. We believe these three creations share the same themes: the life that swarms beneath the surface, the mystery of conception, the secret luminescence of things and beings. They explore the potential of life to emerge from nothingness and the ability of light to gather momentum in darkness, and return stronger than it was before.

Although there is no direct link between this poem and this piece of music, there is a link between Shantala's poetry and music in general. Because she always listens to music when writing. If you've ever been to a concert or a party with her, you've probably seen her scribbling down words in that little notebook that never leaves her side. Apart from writing poetry, Shantala is a dancer, a choreographer and a film director: https://shantalapepe.net/

Stéphane didn't take any pictures specifically for Les Antonymes, but he did design all of our covers but one. An observer of passion by nature, he always finds the angle that reveals the presence of death in life and the minerality of the things that move. You can discover the full extent of his work here: https://www.stephanejossart.com/

Finally, a few words about the music: "ArtRose" was born from an improvisation between Philippe Van Bellinghen's cello and Antonin De Bemels' groovebox. The recording was then carefully reworked, with additional double bass overdubs by David Christophe and subtle ambient soundscapes by Frederic Aerden. The result is the first track from this release—the "official" studio version. The second track is a live rework that starts with the same pattern but takes a different, freely improvised direction, this time with drummer Olivier Taskin.

More by Les Antonymes: https://thinconsolation.bandcamp.com

Ritual ambient, tribal techno, drone jazz and more with Antonin De Bemels and his variable-geometry band Les Antonymes

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