With Varnish La Piscine, Swiss rap sets out to conquer the French public

Varnish La Piscine, an original name that may not mean anything to you. However, the 29-year-old artist is the little protégé of Pedro Winter, former manager of Daft Punk and boss of the Ed Banger Records label, with whom the Swiss signed in spring 2021. Two years later, “Varnish” was released his very first project under the Ed Banger label (the fourth of his career) with Ce Lac has success, an EP of 7 tracks accompanied by a mini-series published on his YouTube channel.

The music of Varnish La Piscine is, at first listen, often surprising. Greatly curious and diligent student, he draws his inspiration from many musical genres. The beginnings of synthetic music in the 1960s, film soundtracks and even bossa nova chords have notably shaped the Swiss producer's special groove.

Having always been immersed in hip-hop culture, Varnish naturally turned to rap without putting aside his taste for different musical styles. This mix of influences made its reputation. For many, he is one of the most gifted artists on the current French-speaking scene.

Varnish has also always proclaimed his love for the music of Pharrell Williams, who seems to have totally embraced the Swiss' productions. The two men met several times during studio sessions in Paris and the new creative director of Louis Vuitton was even seen with the Swiss rapper's vinyl under his elbow at the beginning of the year.

The Genevan is at a turning point in his career. “Sold-Out!” exclaims Varnish as he appears amidst the smoke in front of the 950 people present at his concert Tuesday at La Cigale. In a “wild” scenography, reminiscent of the covers of Exotica albums (another of his influences), Varnish delivers an hour and a half show, punctuated by interventions from Makala and Snub, who appear on his latest EP.

Accompanied on stage by the Swiss group L'Éclair, Varnish La Piscine took to the stage of a Parisian venue for the first time for a concert entirely in his name. A festive evening for the artist and his fans, even if some seem to have been left wanting more. “He cut some bridges! (bridges),” laments one of them after the concert.

Varnish La Piscine is the latest Swiss artist to launch onto the French-speaking rap scene. Since the mid-2010s, the members of the SuperWak Clique, a collective of Swiss rappers of which Varnish is a member, have been the bridgeheads of the Swiss school. Slimka, Di-Meh, Makala and his boundless energy: each has since tried to find a place in the already busy French musical landscape. Makala and Varnish were thus programmed this summer at three festivals: Les Ardentes, We Love Green and Lolapalooza, a first for both artists.

Earlier in the year, Makala sold out a full house at the Olympia, after two successful concerts at the Machine du Moulin Rouge. After two hours of high-intensity concert, the entire SuperWak Clique took the stage for this historic evening for Swiss rap.