The Orchester Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp is back with a sixth album called “Ventre unique” released on November 1st. Once again, the group founded in Geneva by Vincent Bertholet delivers hybrid pieces between krautrock, folk, pop, punk and African rhythms with full enthusiasm.
“Ventre unique” uncovers a repertoire full of energy, brass and strings, with also, this time, numerous voices which accompany the groove and the dissonances of the twelve musicians of the formation. Winner of a Swiss Music Prize in 2022, the Orchester Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp (OTPMD) took the time to reactivate and refine its aesthetic where telescoping is king, even if the creative process was triggered in the wake of the tour which followed the release of “We’re Ok But We’re Lost Anyway” in July 2021.
Especially since for two years and this reward, the group has transformed into a small company – which actually scares it a little -, as its founder, the musician Vincent Bertholet, tells us in the Vertigo show on November 18 : “For two years, the Orchester Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp has become my main activity and I have more time to devote to it than before when I multiplied the activities. I was thus able to do a ten-day residency in Hamburg and another two weeks in Naples, Italy, to compose ‘Ventre unique’ And we then worked on the album with the group in Geneva, in Valais and in the Paris region for its recording.
The Swiss Music Prize also allowed OTPMD to purchase a vehicle, which reduces rental costs for touring. The training has also benefited in the meantime from an agreement with the City of Geneva which relieves it financially thanks to an allocated budget and provides it with unprecedented security allowing things to be better planned. Substantial assistance which allowed Vincent Bertholet to be paid for all administrative and production matters.
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New guest voices
On “Ventre unique”, the group still displays a solid sonic identity, both organic and refined, exuberant and more introspective. Even though Vincent Bertholet had no guidelines in mind: “I just wanted to make a more energetic album and also integrate other singers. So this time there are new voices that have been invited, like those of Frànçois & The Atlas Mountains and Maria Cristina, the singer of the Geneva group Massicot, who is also joining the OTPMD permanently.
Liz, the historic voice of the Orchester Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp alongside Vincent Bertholet was taking a break, it was imperative to find a replacement of choice while trying to retain new voices in the future. The collective strength of the OTPMD is today even more impactful both vocally and musically. Especially since the training is getting younger with the integration of musicians under thirty, which was not the case at the start. “It happens a bit naturally. After a while, people get tired of always making the same music, especially since I’m quite uncompromising. There’s also a lot of renewal, because I accept a lot of concerts, fifty per year, and that not everyone can be available,” explains Vincent Bertholet.
The group this time benefited from a stage residency in La Chaux-de-Fonds to settle the last details before starting a new long tour, mainly abroad.
Olivier Horner
Orchester Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp, “Ventre unique” (Bongo Joe Records). Published on November 1, 2024.
In concert at Moods, Zurich, November 29; Industriestrasse 9, Lucerne, November 30, 2024.
