Formed in 2022, French folk ensemble Hélianthème has quickly carved out a place in today’s acoustic landscape. After performing more than a hundred street concerts across France, the band released its debut EP, Épique la Baleine !, in June 2025—a vibrant collection that captures their poetic spirit and raw live energy. True to the sunny flower that inspired their name, Hélianthème’s music radiates warmth, authenticity, and a sense of communal joy.
One of the standout tracks on the EP reshapes the tradition of maritime storytelling. Written by Alexis—whose lifelong connection to the sea guides much of his creativity—the song intentionally breaks away from the somber tone of classic “funeral” sea shanties. Instead of mourning loss, it celebrates rescue, courage, and the beauty of solidarity. Here, death steps aside to let hope take center stage: a lifebuoy is thrown, a diver plunges into the waves, and a life is pulled back from the brink.
At the heart of this tale is The Fisherman, a symbolic figure who is at once heroic and slightly absurd, appearing like a ghost in the fog to those who pay attention. Through him, Hélianthème delivers a modern folk story full of humanity, tenderness, and light.
