SARAH MAISON

BIOGRAPHY

« Un orient plus rêvé que réel, fait de chimères et de mirages, à l’image de l’amour qu’elle chante, accompagnée de guitares psychédéliques. De quoi faire tourner bien des têtes. » (Trois clés Télérama) – Télérama (24/03/2021)

« C’est la fulgurance d’un souffle – coup de sirocco – qui séduit dans ce répertoire original, déclinant variété française et inventivité pop orientalisante. » – Libération (10/04/2021)

« Sarah Maison continue d’explorer sa double culture, le Maroc et la France. Sa musique est singulière et flamboyante. » – Côté Club – France Inter (11/02/2021)

Sarah Maison is a French singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist whose music transcends borders and genres, blending Western and Oriental influences with cinematic precision. Born in the south of France, near Hyères, she was immersed in a world of music from a young age. Raised in a culturally rich environment, her artistic development was deeply influenced by her Moroccan heritage and the Mediterranean musical world. This unique background has shaped Sarah’s music, blending the ethereal sounds of French chanson with the rhythmic pulses of Arabic melodies.

After completing her studies at the renowned Villa Arson art school in Nice in 2014, Sarah Maison began to establish herself as a promising figure in the French music scene. Her early years as an artist were marked by her fascination with blending genres, experimenting with both traditional instruments and modern technology. Over time, she evolved into a fully-fledged musician, becoming a skilled multi-instrumentalist who plays piano, guitar, bass, and synthesizers.

Sarah’s career took off in 2018 with the release of her breakthrough single Western Arabisant. The track, a mesmerizing fusion of Western pop and Eastern influences, captivated listeners with its hypnotic melodies and atmospheric production. It was widely praised for her ability to blend cultural sounds seamlessly, with Sarah’s distinctive voice and lyrical depth giving it an emotional intensity. The song was featured on France Inter, one of the leading French radio stations, which significantly increased her visibility.

This success was followed by the release of two highly acclaimed EPs, EP 2018 Sarah Maison and EP 2021 Soleils, which continued to showcase Sarah’s evolving sound. With these releases, she not only demonstrated her talent as a singer and songwriter but also as an accomplished producer and arranger. The EPs marked a shift in her musical style, blending retro 1960s and 1980s pop influences with electronic and North-African music.

Sarah’s music can be described as a cinematic journey, where intricate arrangements and lush soundscapes evoke both nostalgia and modernity. Drawing inspiration from the worlds of Françoise Hardy, The Cure, Cocteau Twins, and Kavinsky, she creates music that is both rich and minimalist, steeped in emotion, yet elevated by a sense of space. Her sound is also heavily influenced by the vibrant rhythms and melodies from North-African and Arabic Divas, with references to artists such as Oum Kalthoum, Majida el Roumi, Pari Zanganeh and Fairuz. The fusion of these sounds—retro pop, French chanson, rock, and Arabic music—forms the foundation of her unique style.

The lyrics of Sarah’s songs explore themes of love, longing, and personal identity. Often introspective and poetic, her words reflect a deep emotional depth and a search for meaning. Her voice, warm and evocative, carries an emotional weight that draws listeners into her world, where they are invited to explore complex feelings of desire, melancholy, and reflection. In a way, her music captures a sense of timelessness, as though each song exists both in the present and in a distant, dream-like past.

Sarah Maison is also known for her collaborations with talented musicians, further enriching her sound. One of the most notable partnerships was with Anoraak, with whom she recorded the popular duet Gang. The song became a hit, with over 10 million streams, cementing her place in the electronic and pop music scene. She has also worked closely with musicians like bassist Camille Frillex, drummer Lola Warin, and singer-musician Romain Lallement, who have all contributed to her evolving sonic soundscape.

Her music is also characterized by its innovative arrangements, which blend organic instruments with electronic beats and synths. In this way, Sarah Maison’s compositions feel cinematic and expansive, transporting listeners into a world where sound is deeply intertwined with emotion and storytelling. Her ability to weave together multiple musical traditions, while maintaining a modern sensibility, is a testament to her versatility as an artist.

In addition to her growing success in the music world, Sarah Maison has become a recognized figure on stage, where her live performances captivate audiences with their intensity and authenticity. With just her voice and a few instruments she creates a sense of intimacy, despite her music’s vast, atmospheric scope.

Through her unique sound, personal artistry, and commitment to musical exploration, Sarah Maison has established herself as one of the most promising and exciting voices in contemporary French music. Her ability to merge cultural influences into a cohesive and emotionally resonant sound ensures her place as an artist to watch in the years to come.