Bensé

Bensé (born Joris Prettre) is a French singer-songwriter whose work represents a bridge between traditional 'Variété Française' and modern indie-folk. Emerging from the vibrant bar scene of Nice, he developed a massive repertoire of covers before transitioning into original compositions characterized by high prolificacy.

His sound identity is defined by a commitment to analog recording techniques, specifically the use of magnetic tape, which imparts a signature warmth and 'dusty' texture to his arrangements. Culturally, he occupies a space alongside artists like Guillaume Cantillon and Ben Ricour, favoring organic instrumentation such as accordion and acoustic guitar over electronic elements. His career is marked by a unique literary approach to songwriting; his debut album was structured as a family saga inspired by 'One Hundred Years of Solitude,' with specific tracks dedicated to his brother (Jil Is Lucky), his grandfather, and his mother. This thematic depth, combined with a vocal style influenced by the fragile intimacy of Nick Drake, has earned him a reputation as a 'songwriter's songwriter' within the French music industry.