Une touche d'optimisme

Formed in Juvignac near Montpellier at the initiative of Evan Braci and Clément Guy in autumn 2004, Une touche d’optimisme belongs to a strand of French chanson where lyrics are central. Their arrangements are mostly acoustic, combining band energy, straightforward melodies and a strong emphasis on storytelling. Now a six-piece, the group cites Jacques Brel, Mano Solo, La Rue Kétanou and Les Ogres de Barback among its touchstones, which helps explain a repertoire that mixes social chronicle, character portraits and more intimate songs. Une touche d’optimisme has built its career primarily on stage, playing several hundred concerts in France and sharing bills with acts such as La Rue Kétanou, Debout sur le Zinc and Têtes Raides. Their discography includes Quelques grammes de bonheur (2007), En avant pour demain (2010), Le Dernier des grands rois (2013), Entendez la rumeur (2017), D’aussi loin que je me souvienne (2021) and Partir... (2024). Over the years the band has kept a strong presence of French-language songwriting, supported by a collective interplay between voice, guitar, piano, clarinet, bass and drums.