The artistic career of Sébastien Tellier began in 2001 with the release of his debut album L'incroyable Vérité. Hailing from Le Plessis-Bouchard, the French musician, composer, and producer has since navigated a diverse range of genres, blending lo-fi electronica with orchestrated cabaret, while maintaining an unpredictable trajectory across eight studio albums and numerous film soundtracks.
Early Career and Musical Development
Born in 1975, Tellier is the son of rhythm guitarist Alain Tellier, a former member of the band Magma. He attended the École Saint-Martin-de-France in Pontoise before launching his professional output. Following his 2001 debut, he toured with Air, accompanied by theremin player Pamelia Kurstin. His second album, Politics, released in 2004, featured the prominent track "La Ritournelle," which utilized a string-led arrangement alongside percussionist Tony Allen.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Soundtracks and Cinematic Collaborations
Tellier frequently contributes to film scores. He composed music for the 2004 film Narco, directed by Tristan Aurouet and Gilles Lellouche, and collaborated with Quentin Dupieux on the 2007 soundtrack for the film Steak. Beyond composing, he appeared in the latter production as the character Prisme. His later cinematic work includes scores for Saint-Amour, Marie et les naufragés, and the series A Girl Is a Gun.
Conceptual Albums and Artistic Evolution
His discography is defined by conceptual shifts. Sexuality, produced by Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, was followed by the 2012 album My God Is Blue, where he adopted the persona of a guru for a fictional sect. The 2013 release Confection drew inspiration from the death of his grandmother and his experiences with unused film scores. In 2014, he released L'Aventura, an album entirely in French influenced by his childhood and Brazil. His 2020 project, Domesticated, focused on themes of marriage and parenthood.
Recent Projects and Accolades
In 2026, Tellier released his eighth studio album, Kiss the Beast, which featured collaborations with Nile Rodgers, Slayyyter, and Kid Cudi. Throughout his career, he has worked across several languages, including French, English, Spanish, German, and Italian. In April 2025, he received recognition for his artistic contributions when he was appointed as a Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.
Fast facts
- Born: 1975, Le Plessis-Bouchard, France
- Debut album: L'incroyable Vérité (2001)
- Significant film credits: Narco, Steak, Saint-Amour
- Album producer collaborations: Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, Mr. Flash, Philippe Zdar
- Recent album: Kiss the Beast (2026)
- Language capabilities: French, English, Spanish, German, Italian
- Appointed Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres: April 2025
Questions readers ask
What is the thematic focus of the album Domesticated?
The album explores themes of domestic life, a concept inspired by Tellier's marriage and the birth of his two children.
Which artists feature on the 2026 album Kiss the Beast?
The album includes contributions from Nile Rodgers, Slayyyter, and Kid Cudi.
Achievements
- Instruments: voice
- Genres: electronic music
