Herman Dune, the most Californian of all French songwriters, returns with “Odysseús”—a heroically raw and romantic sonic journey blending Parisian roots with West Coast flair. The album will be released on June 13, 2025, via Santa Cruz Records.

A defining figure of the anti-folk movement, Herman Dune (the project of French-Swedish artist David Ivar) delivers a deeply personal album chronicling the twists and turns of his life. This fall, he’ll embark on a solo tour across Europe and the UK, bringing his poetic storytelling and signature sound to the stage.

Founded in the late ’90s, Herman Dune emerged as a bold voice at a time when performing English folk songs with an acoustic guitar on Paris stages was considered absurd. Drawing from influences like Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Townes Van Zandt, Elliott Smith, and Silver Jews, Ivar created his own scene—one marked by introspection, rebellion, and artistic independence.

Since 2015, Herman Dune has lived with his wife and collaborator Mayon—and their three black cats—in San Pedro, the harbor district of Los Angeles and a legendary hub of Californian punk rock (home to bands like Minutemen and Black Flag). From his California bungalow, he runs Santa Cruz Records, has released six of his fifteen albums, and composed several film scores including Mariage à Mendoza and Pétaouchnock (both directed by Edouard Deluc).

With “Odysseús,” Herman Dune continues to blur boundaries—between continents, genres, and emotional worlds—crafting a musical odyssey that’s as intimate as it is epic.