DeLaSar - Pop Maestro
Traversing the sanctuaries of rock at a time when the genre wasn't taught in schools, DeLaSar discovered within himself the key that few musicians carry in their toolkit—the essence of pop music. This art of crafting tunes that are simple and catchy, an elusive quest for many, is a rare and precious tool that the singer-songwriter wields with subtlety in his new album, In-To, exuding the freshness of someone who does not age. Is pop music the fountain of youth? Undoubtedly!
DeLaSar, known in the city as Yves Zbaeren, did not emerge from obscurity. Weaned on rock music since his teens, he formed his first band at the age of 14 in Lausanne (Switzerland) in 1974. Then, as a complete self-taught artist, he co-founded the band Maladie Honteuz in 1980, a group that would shine during the 'Lozâne Bouge' movement and the long nights at Dolce Vita, a hub for alternative cultures. It was a bohemian life where Yves Zbaeren and his musicians (not to mention friends and passers-by) lived in a communal farmhouse, refining their repertoire day by day. This all led to the creation of Taboo, which would become one of the best-selling Swiss bands, moving no less than 100,000 records. In 1994, Taboo was even the second most-played Swiss artist on the radio. This was in addition to tours in Europe, numerous television appearances here and there. Nearly 15 years on the road, in studios, and on the airwaves.
As the quintessential pop group, Taboo served as the canvas for Yves Zbaeren's multifaceted artistry as a composer, pianist, and singer. When Taboo disbanded in the mid-nineties, he journeyed to India to rejuvenate—a country he visited more than 30 times. It was there, traversing Indian mountains on a bus teetering too close to a ravine, that Zbaeren, panicked at the thought of a foolish death, observed the calm and collected native passengers, seemingly amused by his fears. This sparked a revelation: to no longer let anxiety prevail. He returned from his wanderings with a renewed mindset and fresh projects: singing in French with a nuanced variety starting in 2003, and reconnecting with the English pop that he adores through DeLaSar, beginning in 2010.
Following 'Say' in 2010 and 'DelaSar & Katt’s Tales' in 2019, Yves Zbaeren dons the mantle he wears so well with the release of DeLaSar's third album, 'InTo', which reflects both an inner life and the desire to engage with others. Recorded in his Saint-Sulpice studio, the album caught the attention of Solstice Denervaud, a well-known Swiss concert organizer and manager, who sent the tracks to the young English sound engineer Pierse MacIntyre to imbue the songs with a contemporary flair.
The outcome is beyond doubt: at 60, the man who has reconciled with his past navigates the complexities of pop with undiminished grace, masterfully creating melodies that linger in the listener's mind and transforming each lyric into a catchphrase.
