Anne-Christine Caro (E08) Alias Almée: “Music Has Always Been Part of My Life"

French singer Almée, real name Anne-Christine Caro (E08), takes us behind the scenes of her artistic world - and of her musical collaboration with fellow singer Kee-Yoon Kim (E07).

ESSEC Alumni: How did you go from ESSEC to being a singer?

Almée: Music has always been part of my life – I started playing piano at the age of 4 – as has poetry. I actually got into ESSEC via the literary track, following two years of preparatory studies. While my journey through business school was rewarding, once I'd obtained my degree, I immediately turned to the arts, initially working as an actress and director in Paris and Los Angeles. At the same time, I was writing poems, which I posted in the streets... These poems then became songs on the piano, and so the adventure began.  

EA: What have been the subsequent milestones in your career as a singer? 

Almée: I released my first EP last year and, since then, I’ve had the opportunity to perform extensively in France and abroad, with some great concerts, such as those at Saint Eustache Church and the Théâtre National de Chaillot, my sold-out release party at 360 Music Factory in Paris and my tour dates in Mexico and Germany. I also had the chance to meet artist Léonard Lasry, who invited me to join his label, home to artists like Jay-Jay Johansson and Charlotte Rampling. My track La Source Vive being played on FIP, France Bleu and FG, as well as the feature on me in Télérama magazine, were also big moments.  

EA: How would you define your musical style? 

Almée: I would describe it as poetic, electronic French pop that blends piano, synths, drums and drum machine.

EA: What subjects do you explore in your songs? 

Almée: I examine desire and love, of course, but also intimacy in general, self-confidence, fears. My first EP also gave me the opportunity to reconnect with my own personal story, with the song Odessa, which I wrote while travelling there, tracing my family's roots, and with C’est Vrai, which I kind-of co-produced with my grandfather. Being Jewish and a resistance fighter, he was deported to Auschwitz, where he remained for two years. Upon his return, he was interviewed about his experience. I built this song around his account.  

EA: Do you write your own lyrics? And do you compose your own songs? 

Almée: Yes, I write, compose and play piano – in the studio and on stage. For me, a song always stems from a desire to say something. From this starting point, I write the lyrics, imagine the sounds that could showcase them, and then the magic happens. While I usually work alone, I sometimes collaborate on both the writing and composing, which I find very enjoyable, as it allows me to explore new directions and break out of my routines or automatic patterns. 

EA: When and where can we see you in concert? 

Almée: I’ll be performing at the Rare Gallery in the Marais on 12 June to introduce the tracks from my new album, then in Neustadt in Germany, in January 2025. I’ll be announcing further dates soon.

EA: Can you tell us more about your stage partner Kee-Yoon Kim? 

Almée: Kee-Yoon Kim is an amazing artist who had already lived a thousand lives before venturing into music. Even though she grew up in a musical environment (her mother is an opera singer) and has always played music (violin, piano, guitar, singing), she initially honed other talents in writing and stand-up. Today, she seamlessly blends all her different facets in concert. Her first EP, Palli, Palli (Read our article in French), produced by Sylvie Hoarau (formerly of Brigitte) delivers catchy pop that celebrates the urgency of living, above all else. Her new single, taken from her forthcoming debut album, is called Mon P’tit Chéri and features the comedian Axel Lattuada as the titular sweetheart in the video. It will stay in your head and put a smile on your face amid the April showers. 

EA: Why do you perform onstage with Kee-Yoon Kim? Do you have other joint projects?  

Almée: We enjoy playing with the contrasts between our two different yet complementary musical styles, to offer the audience two variations of French pop. We also want the same things in terms of stage performance and career development. Hence, our collaboration came about naturally. We’ve already had the opportunity to sing together in Paris, Reims and Lamorlaye, and we're working on additional dates for this summer. In any case, the life of an independent artist always involves an entrepreneurial dimension, and our shared journey at ESSEC also unites us in this regard. 

EA: How do you approach performing on stage? 

Almée: Although I love working in the studio, I think I still prefer the adrenaline of live performance. I love that moment of connection and exchange with the audience, the nerves and improvisation that make the moment so unique. Usually, I'm at the piano, accompanied by a drummer. For the gig at the Trois Baudets, we’ve invited a flautist to join us for a few numbers, which is a first! I love bringing guests on stage, because, for me, a concert is basically a celebration. I’ll also have the pleasure of welcoming singer Adelys for a surprise duet. Ultimately, I see the stage as an experimental lab, where the songs reveal themselves and where we play – in both senses of the word. 

EA: What’s next for you?

Almée: I'm currently working on my album, which comes out in 2025. I want to try it out live as much as possible, before moving on to final recording. I'm also starting to write for other artists, as well as for films. I had the opportunity to co-write the music for the end credits of Yann Arthus-Bertrand's next feature film, France, une histoire d’amour.

Interview by Louis Armengaud Wurmser (E10), Content Manager at ESSEC Alumni 

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