Claire Isabelle Geo Pommet chose a stage name that feels both simple and personal. “Pomme,” meaning apple in French, comes from her surname. It started as a university nickname and grew into her artistic identity.
Born in 1996 near Lyon, France, she spent her formative years in the city’s metropolitan area. This environment shaped her musical perspective. She began her professional journey in 2015, quickly moving from local bars to national stages.
Her work blends chanson française with folk-pop sensibilities. She is a true auteure-compositrice-interprète, a singer-songwriter who crafts her own material. She also plays multiple instruments, including guitar, cello, and the distinctive autoharp.
Her talent has earned her France’s highest musical honors, the Victoires de la Musique awards. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she married fellow musician Safia Nolin, a celebrated Quebec singer. This union connects her artistry to both French and North American music scenes.
Biography and Early Beginnings
Her musical journey began not on stage, but in a home filled with the contrasting sounds of French chanson and American folk. This early exposure created a unique foundation for her future work.
Childhood Roots and Musical Education
Formal training started at age six with music theory lessons shared with her siblings. By seven, she joined La Cigale de Lyon, a rigorous children’s choir. She began cello lessons at eight, adding instrumental depth.
These early experiences built a strong technical base. They shaped her understanding of melody and harmony from a young age.
Family Influences and Early Inspirations
Her mother, a schoolteacher and flautist, introduced religious musical traditions. Her father played classics by French singers like Aznavour and Polnareff. A friend’s father then opened her ears to Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell.
This blend of French and American folk music became central to her sound. As a teenager, she took initiative. She performed in Lyon bars and self-produced a CD while in tenth grade.
She taught herself composition and shared songs on YouTube. A pivotal moment arrived in July 2012. At fifteen, she officially registered as an author and composer with SACEM.
| Age | Activity | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Began music theory | Formal foundation with siblings |
| 7 | Joined La Cigale de Lyon choir | Serious vocal training and performance |
| 8 | Started cello lessons | Added instrumental versatility |
| 15 | Registered with SACEM | Official entry as professional composer |
Musical Style and Influences
At the heart of her artistry lies a unique fusion that honors chanson française while embracing folk’s raw authenticity. This blend creates music that feels both timeless and deeply personal.
Folk, Pop, and Chanson Française Elements
Her sound draws from American folk traditions and French poetic elegance. The autoharp and acoustic guitar form her primary instruments. Critics praise the intimacy these choices create.
Lyrics explore love, death, and everyday moments transformed into poetry. This approach reflects the chanson française tradition she carries forward.
Inspirations from Past and Contemporary Artists
Influences span generations from Édith Piaf to contemporary pop figures. She cites Barbara’s emotional depth and Lorie’s childhood pop sensibilities.
American artists like Joan Baez and Sufjan Stevens inform her folk approach. The Quebec music scene represents an important collaboration that enriches her transatlantic identity.
Visual and literary inspirations include Tim Burton’s aesthetic and poet Paul Éluard’s imagery. These elements shape her distinctive stage presence.
The Rise of a Young Artist
2013 marked a pivotal year when professional opportunities started shaping her artistic trajectory. The transition from self-produced YouTube videos to industry recognition began with careful steps.
Breakthrough Moments and EP Debut “En cavale”
At seventeen, she recorded “Okay” as a duet with Matthieu Mendès. This collaboration produced her first music video. It signaled a shift toward professional collaborations.
Signing with Polydor Records in early 2015 provided crucial industry support. Her debut single “J’suis pas dupe” introduced her vocal style to French audiences. The January 2016 EP “En cavale” received positive reviews.
This early work opened doors to significant opportunities. She performed as opening act for Benjamin Biolay, gaining valuable exposure.
Early Performances in Lyon and Paris
Her concert career showed steady progression through prestigious venues. Four performances at La Boule Noire in September 2017 demonstrated growing confidence.
The autumn 2017 tour opening for Asaf Avidan included the legendary Olympia. Each venue represented another step in her artistic development.
Her first full-length album “À peu près” arrived in October 2017. Critics noted the folk-pop blend showed promise. The album became an important part of her early catalog.
| Year | Venue | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | La Boule Noire | First Paris headlining shows |
| 2017 | Olympia | Opening for major tour |
| 2018 | Café de la Danse | Solo performance venue |
| 2018 | La Cigale | Increased capacity concert |
| 2019 | Le Trianon | Major Paris venue achievement |
Pomme Claire Pommet: Personal Journey
Beyond the music, the artiste’s career is marked by moments of profound personal courage. These events have defined her public identity as much as her songs.
She consistently integrates her truth into her work. This creates a powerful connection with her audience.
Defining Moments in Her Career
A significant moment occurred in December 2019. Singer Angèle invited her and Safia Nolin on stage in Montreal.
They performed “On brûlera,” a song denouncing homophobia. This public celebration of queer love was a watershed for representation.
In a Télérama interview, she explained her comfort with her homosexuality. She uses female pronouns in her love songs consciously.
This choice addresses an absence she felt as a teenager. It allows young queer listeners to see themselves in her music.
Another defining moment came in February 2021. She published a powerful essay supporting the #MusicToo movement.
Claire Pommet revealed traumatic manipulation and harassment from ages fifteen to seventeen. She described entering the industry as a traumatic experience.
She cited specific, chilling examples from powerful men. These included demands to be “sexier” and direct sexual threats.
By sharing this story, she joined a movement of French women speaking out. She used her platform to protect the next generation of artists.
These moments reveal an artiste who refuses to separate personal truth from public work. Her platform carries a deep sense of responsibility.
Discography and Notable Albums
From modest beginnings to ambitious concepts, her discography reveals an artist constantly pushing boundaries. Each album marks a distinct phase in her artistic journey.
Critical Releases: À peu près, Les Failles, Consolation, and Saisons
The debut album “À peu près” arrived in 2017. It established her folk-pop sound and built a dedicated fanbase.
“Les Failles” in 2019 became her commercial breakthrough. This album reached the top 10 in France and earned gold certification.
Her third album, “Consolation,” was written during an isolated Quebec winter. It climbed to number 4 on the French charts.
The most ambitious project is “Saisons,” conceived as a modern opera. It was released in two parts across 2023 and 2024.
Reissues and Special Editions
She often extends the life of her albums with new material. The “Les Failles” album saw multiple expanded versions.
A special “Halloween version” added collaborative tracks. The “Consolation” album received a “(Lot 2)” reissue in 2023.
This strategy treats each release as a living document. It invites fans deeper into her creative world between major projects.
Live Performances and Concert Experiences
The stage is where her music truly breathes, transforming recorded songs into shared public experiences. Critics from Libération and Le Figaro consistently highlight the intimate energy she commands with her autoharp and guitar.
Memorable Concerts at Iconic Venues
Playing at Lyon’s Nuits de Fourvière festival in July 2021 was a dream realized. She described the historic Roman amphitheater as a magical, bucket-list venue. The two sold-out dates there felt like a triumphant homecoming.
Her connection to Lyon’s music scene deepened with a sold-out show at the Transbordeur in March 2022. This was a venue she once attended as a fan.
The extensive “Consolation” tour concluded in September 2024 after 150 dates. The final concert was a celebration of musical community.
The Energy of Live Musical Interpretations
That finale featured powerful collaborations. She performed “3e sexe” with Indochine’s Nicola Sirkis and invited rapper Zamdane on stage.
These concerts reveal an artist who views the stage as a space of freedom. Spontaneous interaction and singing along create genuine communion with the audience.
Her scheduled July 2025 return to Fourvière with “Le Petit Cirque” demonstrates artistic evolution. This theatrical production, based on her album “Saisons,” moves beyond solo concerts into multimedia performance art.
| Date | Venue / Event | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| July 2021 | Nuits de Fourvière, Lyon | Two sold-out homecoming concerts |
| March 2022 | Le Transbordeur, Lyon | Sold-out headlining performance |
| September 2024 | La Fête de l’Humanité | Finale of 150-date “Consolation” tour |
| July 2025 | Nuits de Fourvière, Lyon | “Le Petit Cirque” multimedia show |
Collaborations and Unique Projects
Her creative path extends far beyond solo work, embracing a rich tapestry of collaborations. These partnerships reveal an artist eager to expand her folk-pop foundation into diverse musical conversations.
Early work with French artists like Ben Mazué positioned her within the respected chanson française lineage. Her 2022 collaboration with Norwegian singer Aurora on “Everything Matters” demonstrated international appeal.
Featuring Collaborations in Music and Film
A standout partnership in 2024 was with Japanese folk artist Ichiko Aoba. They created a cross-cultural dialogue through a remarkable version exchange.
Pomme sang Aoba’s “Seabed Eden” in French. Aoba reciprocated with a Japanese version of “Grandiose.”
Her contribution to the Arcane Season 2 soundtrack with Stromae became a massive hit. “Ma meilleure ennemie” reached number one in France and Australia.
She has also contributed songs to animated features. This film work extends her artistic reach to family audiences.
| Year | Collaborator | Project / Song | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Ben Mazué | “J’attends” | Featured on his platinum album |
| 2022 | Aurora | “Everything Matters” | International pop collaboration |
| 2024 | Ichiko Aoba | Version exchange | Cross-cultural folk dialogue |
| 2024 | Stromae | “Ma meilleure ennemie” | #1 soundtrack single |
Radio Shows and Special Performances
In December 2022, she hosted “Pomme & Co” on France Inter. The two-week series presented songs she described as “100% feminine and sometimes feminist.”
She performed autoharp covers of artists like Kate Bush and Dalida. This project showcased her curatorial voice beyond her own album.
Further expanding her creativity, she published the children’s book “Sous les paupières” in 2022. This venture into visual storytelling demonstrates her multidisciplinary ambition.
Social Impact and Activism
The singer’s public voice carries weight beyond entertainment. She champions causes from environmental protection to human rights with consistent conviction.
Support for LGBT+ Rights and Environmental Causes
Her open lesbian identity functions as both personal truth and political statement. This representation carries significant weight for young LGBT+ audiences.
Environmental activism forms another core part of her advocacy. In 2021, she donated all proceeds from “À perte de vue” to marine mammal research.
Engagement in Political and Social Issues
She addresses urgent social issues while maintaining distance from partisan politics. In one interview, she reflected on this complex balance.
A defining moment came in July 2023 following Nahel Merzouk’s death. She signed a tribune against police violence and donated concert fees to victims’ families.
She also participated in a 2024 Gaza humanitarian benefit concert. Her refusal to let Kanye West use her music demonstrated clear ethical boundaries.
Modern Innovation in Artistic Expression
Reimagining classics from Disney animations to Kate Bush anthems revealed the diverse influences that shape her unique artistic identity. This creative restlessness extends across multiple mediums.
Creative Music Videos and Reimagined Versions
Starting in 2020, she began directing her own music videos. This gave her complete control over visual storytelling. The approach shaped how audiences interpret her work.
Her quarantine EP featured five English tracks available only during lockdown. This experimental spirit showed her willingness to work outside French-language comfort zones.
Cover choices span generations and genres. Each reinterpretation filters diverse influences through her distinctive folk aesthetic.
Exploration of New Musical Landscapes
Her acting debut came in the 2023 film “La Vénus d’argent.” She played the lead role of Jeanne Francœur. This expanded her artistic practice beyond music.
For Cédric Klapisch’s 2025 film, she both acted and composed the original song “La Nuit.” This integrated her musical and cinematic work within a single project.
The “Saisons” album represents her most ambitious innovation. Conceived as a modern opera in four seasonal movements, it pushes beyond folk-pop into contemporary classical territory.
Final Reflections on an Enduring Legacy
The trajectory of this French artiste is marked not just by critical acclaim but by a profound sense of artistic purpose. Her Victoires de la Musique wins, for breakthrough album and female performer, solidified her status within a year. These honors validate a career built on thoughtful folk songwriting.
Her evolution is clear. The album “Consolation” responded to earlier work with a calmer acceptance. In a 2022 interview, she described this shift as entering a brighter, more open creative process.
She extends her artistry beyond music. She published a poetry collection and earned a Vogue France comparison to a Tim Burton film character. Her belief that a platform is useless without lifting others’ voices defines her true legacy.
Pomme has crafted an enduring body of work. It resonates through its honesty and social conscience, ensuring her influence will last.
