“Ma jolie, how do you do?” Franco-American, now Aotearoa's folk-country sweetheart Tess Liautaud has released a new song, for the first time she showcases her two mother tongues in a bilingual ballad. For this feat Tess Liautaud chose to sing ‘Jolie Louise’ written by French-Canadian singer and producer Daniel Lanois. Liautaud’s version is saturated in unbridled rawness and honesty, she leans into the song's lyrical heartbreak while her band roll out a country romp. It is a song that moves along and carries your heart with it.
To celebrate the release of ‘Jolie Louise’, Liautaud has announced a special hometown show at Lyttelton Coffee Company, on June 27th. Tess will be accompanied by her band, an ever evolving alt-country ensemble featuring pedal steel, banjo, double bass, shadowy guitars and soaring harmonies. Don’t miss this last ditch show before Liautaud sails away to tour her songs throughout Europe (a follow up to her successful 2025 ‘Sleepless in Europe Tour’.)
Special guests Southriver will open the show with their unique blend of banjo, guitar and old time feeling.
About Southriver: Hailing from the shores of Te Whanganui a Tara alt-folk band Southriver delve into New Zealand folk music with gusto. Pairing the heartfelt lyrics of Sarah August with the slick skills of Brendan Schenk, these two have been performing and writing together since 2021 creating a repertoire of troubled tunes for troubled times.