Les Hommes Sauvages Meet Albert Pepermans

Les Hommes Sauvages is the passion project of Berlin-based vocalist and songwriter Viola Limpet (Tumbling Hearts) and guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Kristof Hahn (Swans, Pere Ubu, Koolkings).

After decades-spanning careers in musical genres ranging from experimental noise to country, they distilled their love for the sounds of American rock ‘n’ roll, for the melancholy of French chanson, for German innovation in electronic music and for convention-defying British punk/post-punk into three albums: Playtime (2000), Trafic (2004) and Vive la Trance (2011). Hahn and Limpet, both movie buffs, coined the term “rock ‘n’ roll noir” to describe the results of their collaboration.

The Noir film genre with deep traditions on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean and world-weary protagonists amidst jungles of urban decay encapsulates the sounds of Les Hommes Sauvages. In pursuit of artistic independence and happiness, they invited fellow collaborators and friends whose work they had long admired.

Some tracks are their own compositions, while others are innovative homages to their idols. The results are an exciting audio treasure hunt, immediately approachable yet full of rewards for the careful listener.