The group Akèstéko releases New Era, a second festive and committed album.

Living between Nîmes and Salon-de-Provence, Esteban Soriano-Cartoux plays the bass clarinet in the Cévennes group Akéstëko.

“I didn’t know what I was getting into,” smiles young Esteban Soriano-Cartoux, who has just joined the Akéstëko group. Still a student, he lives between Nîmes and Salon-de-Provence where he studies the bass clarinet at the Institute of Professional Music Training. He used to listen to rock and jazz before joining the cheerful group that has just released a second album, “Nouvelle Ère.”

Formed in 2019 by the Cévennes, the Akéstëko group initially draws its influences from Balkan and swing music. But with this new album, recorded near Saint-Ambroix, the musicians have evolved. “For this second record, the group kept this base, but mixed it with rock and took a big turn towards electro,” continues Esteban. This results in a spirited record, full of energy, especially when the six artists take the stage. In fact, the group has been performing concerts, around thirty this year. Since its creation, the group has already played over 400 shows.

Akéstëko is first Jo, the composer, singer, and guitarist, then Cyril on guitar and keyboards, Ronan on trumpet, Jens on bass, and Christophe on drums. The group was looking for a saxophonist when they met Esteban and his little-known instrument, the bass clarinet.

“It’s a group with songs with lyrics, telling stories, talking about touching subjects, but with joyful music. It’s interesting to play this music that is both very festive and sensitive,” continues the musician. This is evident, especially on the anthem “Nouvelle Ère,” a very critical song about artificial intelligence that gives its name to the album, or with “Belle Méditerranée,” evoking migrants.