The music of Franco-American singer-songwriter Tess Liautaud can not be easily defined. It hangs in the balance of her voice, warm like honey; it carries a depth of raw emotion, delivered with melodic grace and country soul. Her songs are easy listening, in that Jackson Browne , dreaming of Laurel Canyon, Americana sort of way, so it would make some kind of sense that she’s found a home on the east side of Ōtautahi, among the folk singers and the rock’n’rollers.
Together with her band (Adam Hattaway, Frankie Daly, Elmore Jones and Michael Kime, Jessie Shanks) Tess creates a sound steeped in classic guitar twang, good old honky tonk piano and big organ washes.This is music that will grow roots in your heart and lift you up, the way it is supposed to.
Tess cut her teeth in the Paris music scene for the better part of a decade, honing her live performances and charming the hearts of audiences and fellow musicians alike. She has toured in Ireland and places beyond and eventually curiosity led her to NewZealand in 2019. Burgeoning friendships and collaborations swayed her to stay, now two albums and five years deep she has become an endeared part of our musical landscape. As well as leading her own band,Tess sings and plays with Adam Hattaway and the Haunters , The Eastern and The Sweet Sweet Nothings.
Tess’ sophomore album ‘Blue Mind’ is finally out, just released in October 2024! in the pipeline. These recordings mark an expansion in her songwriting and a move toward a bigger band sound. In the first week it charted to number 6 in the Official New Zealand Charts, and number 4 in the Independent Music charts.