Photo : © Frederic D Oberland
Emmanuelle Parrenin Concert | Monte le Son
As part of the Monte le Son festival, the James Baldwin Media Library has the honor of hosting artist Emmanuelle Parrenin for an exceptional concert.
Médiathèque James Baldwin (Paris 19th)
About
Emmanuelle Parrenin is a collector of sounds. She learned music instinctively and clandestinely, reproducing on a piano the melodies she heard in her family home, which was steeped in music: her father was the leader of the Parrenin Quartet and her mother was a harp teacher.
In 1978, she released Maison Rose, a synthesis of a 10-year career in folk music and the exploration of traditional sounds. After an accident in 1990, she became deaf and subsequently retrained her ears by listening to her own voice and the resonance of her instruments. During her travels, she collected a multitude of healing instruments, becoming interested in music as medicine and the therapeutic use of sound through traditional techniques.
In 2011, thirty years after Maison Rose, she recorded Maison Cube, which continues her folk adventure as she always envisioned it: mixed with psychedelic, jazz, and shamanic inspirations. In 2011-2012, she discovered electronic music and increased her collaborations with artists such as Etienne Jaumet, Eat Gas, Vincent Segal, Pierre Bastien, and Detlev Weinrich, aka Tolouse Low Trax. In 2017, Emmanuelle Parrenin crossed paths with Colin Johnco during one of his concerts, where he was in charge of instrumental variations. From that moment, the desire to create together grew, and through meetings and improvisations, they gradually built a joint project. Emmanuelle on composition, instruments, and vocals. Colin on effects and production.
Full program of the Monte le Son festival
Our take on this event
Step into the mystical world of an auditory alchemist who turned a life-changing challenge into a unique, resonant artistic rebirth. By weaving ethereal folk with cutting-edge electronic layers, this live performance transcends a standard concert to become a truly transformative sonic experience. It is the perfect opportunity to witness two generations of experimental musicians finding a rare, meditative synergy on stage.
On Saturday, November 21, 2026, the James Baldwin library hosts a unique performance by folk artist Emmanuelle Parrenin. From 19:00 to 21:00, listeners can discover a soundscape shaped by her long-standing exploration of folk, psychedelic, and electronic textures. Organized as part of the Monte le Son festival, this event is free of charge and open to anyone aged 12 and over. The venue is fully accessible to all, including wheelchair users and those with sensory or cognitive disabilities, with sign language interpretation provided throughout the session.
Emmanuelle Parrenin offers an immersive musical journey reflecting a lifetime of sound collection and therapeutic experimentation. Raised in a musical family, she turned her personal challenges into a pursuit of resonant discovery. Her artistic practice merges traditional folk elements with psychedelic and electronic inspirations, further refined through her collaborative work with producer Colin Johnco.
The concert takes place on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at the James Baldwin library in Paris's 19th arrondissement. The performance runs from 19:00 to 21:00. Attendance is free for guests aged 12 and older.
As part of the Monte le Son festival, the organizers have prioritized full inclusivity. The facility is equipped for wheelchair access and is tailored for blind or visually impaired visitors, as well as those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Support for individuals with cognitive disabilities and sign language integration are core components of the event's commitment to accessibility.
