New Transmissions: Tenebran and the Buried Memories of a Past Childhood

New Transmissions

Sep 22

The crickets. That’s what hooked me. The first few seconds of Tenebran’s 'Just Chillin’' aren’t a synth pad or a driving beat, but the simple, evocative sound of crickets chirping on a summer night. It was an instant transport back to my own childhood, but this wasn't just a simple nostalgic trip. What Tenebran has crafted is a fresh take on a familiar sound; I didn't feel like I was listening to a relic of the past, but something new and alive. It’s a masterful blend of atmosphere with a hard-driving beat that gives you just enough pause before it rebuilds and drives you forward again.

The Power of Subconscious Nostalgia

For many of us who grew up in the 80s and 90s, the synthwave sound was the background music of our lives—in commercials, in video games, in movie scores. As a card-carrying member of GenX, this theme hits home. I had the killer mullet. I rode my BMX bike everywhere. 'The Goonies' wasn't just a movie; it was scripture. That synth-heavy sound was the wallpaper of our youth, and French artist Tenebran understands this perfectly.

“What makes this musical style so special is that it invokes a powerful sense of nostalgia,” he explains. “Video game nights with friends… the carefreeness of childhood, BMX bikes, "The Goonies", mullets... Evoking these memories takes us back to a sweet and warm time that is sadly long gone. All of this has shaped an entire generation of which I am a part.”

This understanding is the heart of his music. He's not just recreating a sound; he's tapping into the buried memories of a past childhood to create something that feels both new and deeply familiar.

A Search for Light in Darkness

The name "Tenebran" is a clever play on words between the artist's first name, Bertrand, and the French word "Ténébreux," meaning tenebrous or dark. It represents a core theme in his work: a search for light within darkness. This comes through in both his themes and his production techniques.

“I like very powerful basslines and drums, but also very airy synth pads,” he says of his process. “I think that this is what produces this feeling of contrast / opposition between darkness and light. I'm very happy that people feel this way… it's truly an essential aspect of what I try to evoke.”

This creative journey is organic, driven by an almost mystical sense of inspiration. “I like to think that the music chooses the musician, not the other way around,” Tenebran reflects. “I sit down in the studio, and whatever comes comes.” This process led to a key moment in his career when his track "Synthetic Lovers" was picked up by the legendary AZTEC RECORDS. It was a moment of validation. “At that moment, I said to myself: 'OK, some influential people in my musical style really appreciate what I do so... let's go all out!'”

A Song That Hits Just Right

Tenebran’s music is a journey, and "Just Chillin'" is a perfect stop on that path. It’s not a sugar-rush track that burns off as soon as it's over; it’s more serious than that, but it’s also not melancholy or so heavy you need to shake it off. It’s a track that leaves a lasting impression without weighing you down, reminding you that you’ve heard something truly special. Looking ahead, Tenebran hints at a "deep inner descent" for his next project, with tracks so powerful they bring tears to his eyes.

It’s clear his journey is far from over, and I look forward to adding more of his songs to our playlists in the future.