Born in Marseille in the early ‘80s, Martin Dupont quickly emerged as a singular presence on the French post-punk and new wave scene.
Driven by Alain Seghir, Catherine Loy, Brigitte Balian, and Beverley Jane Crew, the band crafted a unique sonic universe - dark, sensitive, and hypnotic. Cult favorites like Inside Out and Just Because… left a lasting mark before the group’s dissolution in 1987.
Over time, their work achieved a mythic status; once a closely guarded secret, it captivated enthusiasts of electronic music, cold wave, and the international underground. The New York label Minimal Wave’s reissues opened their music to a new generation enthralled by the timeless modernity of their compositions.
Today, Martin Dupont is reborn. Alain Seghir and Beverley Jane Crew are joined by Sandy Casado, Thierry Sintoni, and Olivier Leroy (Olli) for an unprecedented world tour. Their music - ever emotionally rich and elegant - continues to inspire: recently featured in fashion shows for houses such as Chloé and Enfants Riches Déprimés, and resonating in cinema, notably on the soundtrack of the horror film Cuckoo.
NEW ALBUM: You Smile When It Hurts
Worldwide release: October 17, 2025
(Hot Paradox, Label Caravan, L’Autre Distribution, IDOL)
Martin Dupont – The Return of French New Wave Pioneers
A cult icon of France’s ‘80s new wave scene, Martin Dupont delivers an eagerly awaited and striking return with You Smile When It Hurts, their first studio album in over three decades.
Far from a mere nostalgia trip, this record asserts the group’s daring and singular artistry, blending legacy with rebirth.
Often likened to bands like Depeche Mode or New Order, Martin Dupont has always charted its own course - melding melodic minimalism, elegant melancholy, and pulsing electronics. With You Smile When It Hurts, the band reinvents this sonic language: vintage synthesizers and classical orchestrations intertwine with a modern, luminous production, elevating lyrics rich in poetry and chiaroscuro.
More than an album, You Smile When It Hurts is a sensory experience: an intimate journey where light and shadow converse, demonstrating Martin Dupont’s undiminished ability to move, surprise, and inspire. A work that confirms their music - timeless and visionary - has never been more relevant.
The Influence of Martin Dupont
Martin Dupont’s singular sound has inspired across eras and genres. In 2011, hip-hop producer Madlib sampled Just Because on For the Nasty. Three years later, Tricky reinterpreted the same track on Something in the Way (album Adrian Thaws). In 2015, Kanye West introduced Martin Dupont to Theophilus London, who reimagined Take a Look on his album Vibes.
Their influence continues in electronic music: in 2017, DJs like Mick Wills, Marcel Dettmann, or DJ Rat-Ward remixed and played their tracks. That same year, the label Boredom released Broken Memory, a tribute album featuring multiple international artists.
Their universe extends into cinema: featured in Lucie Borleteau’s Chanson douce (2019), and in the compilation Des Jeunes Gens Modernes, vol. 3 (2020) curated by Marc Collin (Nouvelle Vague) and Agnès b., which included the previously unreleased Nice Boy.
As a striking testament to their timeless appeal, Martin Dupont’s music continues to resonate - shaping pioneers and new generations alike.
