Emmanuelle Parrenin

Emmanuelle Parrenin is a French musician, composer, and singer best known for her unique blend of traditional folk music with experimental and electronic elements. Originally emerging from the 1970s French folk revival scene, she gained recognition with her critically acclaimed 1977 album Maison Rose, which has since become a cult classic. A multi-instrumentalist, Parrenin brings a distinctive sound rooted in acoustic instrumentation—like the hurdy-gurdy and harp—while also embracing avant-garde approaches that push folk music into more surreal and contemporary territories.

After stepping away from the spotlight for several years, Parrenin made a remarkable return in the 2000s with new recordings and collaborations, consistently reinventing her artistry. Her more recent albums, such as Targala, la maison qui n'en est pas une and Jours de grève, showcase her continued curiosity and willingness to experiment, blending vocals, field recordings, and electronic textures. With a career spanning decades, Parrenin remains a singular voice in French music, bridging past and future with elegance and imagination.

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