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0:00/3:06
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Black Machine 4:270:00/4:27
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Here Go The Lovers 4:550:00/4:55
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“The shining star here is Tess Liautaud's warm and heartful voice, riding high over her fantastic new set of songs”
“"Elle a sa place dans Les Nocturnes! Il faut l'écouter religieusement" ” - Georges Lang
“Thanks to its strong songwriting, lavish sonic direction and the charisma of its lead artist, it’s a record that highlights the very best folk music can bring”
“Blue Mind is the follow up to Tess’ self-titled debut, and it’s gorgeous. Relationships and landscapes are rendered in a voice that sounds like golden syrup, dark and sweet and tinged with bitter, backed by a blanket of rich guitars and the occasional whistle. It’s Bruce Springsteen, Mazzy Star and Lucinda Williams bundled up like roll-your-own tobacco and exhaled in the form of perfectly-honed songs. ” - Laura Williamson
“Liautaud makes music you can point to the next time someone asks you to define the Americana genre: Twangy rock, rough-hewn jangle, dusky vibes and raw emotions.”
“The track draws inspiration from musical legends like Jackson Browne and Bruce Springsteen, blending heart-rending country/folk sounds (Here Go The Lovers single release- May 2024)”
“"Her voice sometimes reminds you of FleetwoodMac (Stevie Nicks), but the cover photo doesn't lie; the roots content is much higher here. The album was already released in October last year, but it still deserves to be highlighted. After all, good music is timeless."” - John Gjaltema
Who is Tess
Singer-songwriter-traveller
The music of Franco-American-Kiwi, 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.
Following sold out shows on her 12-date “Gold Digger” tour last year, and chart topping singles “Here Go The Lovers” and “The Way It's meant to Rain”, her album “Blue Mind” was released in October 2024, through Flying Nun/Leather Jackets distribution and reached number 6 in the New Zealand Top 20 Charts, and Number 4 in the Independent New Zealand Charts.
It has since received critical acclaim nationally and internationally.
Bandcamp selected the album in the 'Best of Country Music -November 2024':
"Everything about Tess Liautaud’s new album Blue Mind feels warm and inviting. The honeyed strum of the guitars. The fine-grit depth of her singing voice, which recalls the great Lydia Loveless. Even the sun-dappled photo on the cover looks like a lovely time. A Franco-American singer-songwriter now based in New Zealand, Liautaud makes music you can point to the next time someone asks you to define the Americana genre: Twangy rock, rough-hewn jangle, dusky vibes and raw emotions." - Ben Salmon (Bandcamp)
Two singles for the new album were featured in Rolling Stone Australia in May and July 2024:
"Currently on a nationwide tour, the Ōtautahi-based Franco-American singer-songwriter has shared a new single “Here Go The Lovers” and announced her sophomore album, Blue Mind. The track draws inspiration from musical legends like Jackson Browne and Bruce Springsteen, blending heart-rending country/folk sounds with a timely autumnal video." - Sarah Downs (Rolling Stone Australia)
Liautaud’s songs have been included in Americana and Country music shows on RNZ (“Nashville Babylon”), RTL in France (“Les Nocturnes”), PBS and Double J in Australia, and have been played on many international student and community radio stations.
Her song ‘Gold Digger’ will appear on “The Brokenwood Mysteries” TV series (airing in 2025).
Promo photos
"The Way It's Meant To Rain" Live at Lyttelton Arts Factory, 2024
