Yann Tiersen

Yann Tiersen
Tiersen in 2007
Tiersen in 2007
Background information
Birth nameYann Pierre Tiersen
Born (1970-06-23) 23 June 1970 (age 53)
Brest, Brittany, France
GenresMinimal, avant-garde, post-rock, folktronica, bal-musette
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)Piano, violin, piano accordion, electric guitar, toy piano, voice, and various others
Years active1995–present
LabelsSine Terra Firma, Ici, d'ailleurs..., EMI, Virgin, Mute, ANTI-
Websitewww.yanntiersen.com

Yann Pierre Tiersen (born 23 June 1970) is a French Breton musician and composer.[1][2] His musical career is split between studio recordings, music collaborations, and film soundtracks songwriting. His music incorporates a large variety of classical and contemporary instruments, primarily the electric guitar, the piano, synthesisers, and the violin, but he also includes instruments such as the melodica, xylophone, toy piano, harpsichord, piano accordion, and even a typewriter.

Tiersen is often mistaken for a soundtrack composer; he himself states that "I'm not a composer and I really don't have a classical background,"[3] but his real focus is on touring and recording studio albums, which are often used for film soundtracks. Tracks taken from his first three studio albums were used for the soundtrack of the 2001 French film Amélie.[4]

  1. ^ Salarich, Albert (6 April 2007). "Yann Tiersen: not only about Amelie". Cafebabel.com. Jennifer O'Boyle (trans.). Archived from the original on 18 December 2014.
  2. ^ Hubbard, Michael (2002). "Interview: Yann Tiersen". Features. MusicOMH.
  3. ^ Rojas, Andrea (17 February 2011). "More than just a couple of soundtracks". Entertainment. The Gauntlet. Archived from the original on 8 January 2016.
  4. ^ "Albums". Yann Tiersen Official Website. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011.