The artist

Who is petit fantôme?

petit fantôme is the stage name of French singer and multi-instrumentalist Pierre Loustaunau. Here's his story — from the bands that shaped him to the home-made mixtape that gave this site its name.

Handwritten lyric page by petit fantôme

At a glance

Real name
Pierre Loustaunau
Origin
France (Basque Country)
Genres
Lo-fi · indie folk · chanson
Active since
2011
Past bands
François & The Atlas Mountains · Crâne Angels
Labels
Animal Factory Records · Kwaidan

From the mountains
to the bedroom.

Before Stave, Pierre Loustaunau became known playing in François & The Atlas Mountains, a French band signed to the prestigious English label Domino Records. He also played in the project Crâne Angels.

Under the name petit fantôme, he launched his own world: a debut EP, Yallah, appeared in 2011, followed by the free mixtape Stave in 2013 — eleven songs written and recorded at home, in French and Basque.

His music blends lo-fi folk, home-made pop and intimate lyrics, often coloured by his Basque heritage. After Stave, petit fantôme went on to more records, including the album Trois, confirming a signature that is both handmade and endearing.

Selected discography

  • 2011YallahEP
  • 2013StaveMixtape · free
  • after 2013TroisAlbum

Listen to Stave Read the lyrics →

In the press

What's been written about petit fantôme and Stave.

"Home-made lo-fi pop, tender and endearing, sung in both French and Basque."

— after the French music press

"petit fantôme cultivates a fragile charm, between bedroom folk and melodic sketches."

— album review

"Stave is given away like a found letter: eleven songs recorded within four walls."

— listening note

petit fantôme has been reviewed by outlets such as Les Inrockuptibles and La Blogothèque.