Pearl and the Oysters

Pearl and the Oysters is a French-American indie pop duo formed by Juliette Pearl Davis and Joachim Polack. The group originated in Paris, later relocating to Gainesville, Florida, and then to Los Angeles. Their music blends elements of indie pop, synth-pop, dream pop, and 1960s/1970s-inspired sounds.^[1][2][3]

Davis and Polack met during high school in Paris and began collaborating musically. They later moved to the United States, where they became part of Gainesville’s independent music scene.^[4][5] After moving to the U.S., Polack earned a master's in musicology focused on Brazilian popular music and began a Ph.D. at the University of Florida School of Music.^[6] In 2020, they relocated to Los Angeles.^[7][8]

Style

The band's musical style is often described as an eclectic fusion of space-age pop, soft rock, and jazz influences, characterized by lush arrangements and a dreamy atmosphere.^[9] Their songwriting often evokes nostalgic moods while maintaining a contemporary indie sensibility.^[10][11][12]

Influences

Juliette and Joachim met on their first day of high school in Paris, sharing a passion for music and artists like Burt Bacharach, Kurt Weill, and Antônio Carlos.^[13][14][15] Also American band such as The Beachboys to the Japanese group Yellow Magic Orchestra.^[6]

Their self-titled debut album was released in 2017. Subsequent releases include Canned Music (2018), Flowerland (2021), Coast 2 Coast (2023), and Planet Pearl (2024). They have released music under labels such as Ghostly International and Stones Throw Records.^[16][17]

The duo has collaborated with musicians including Lætitia Sadier of Stereolab and Riley Geare of Unknown Mortal Orchestra.^{[18] [19]}These collaborations have been noted in critical discussions of their evolving sound.^{[20][21][22][23]}

• Juliette Pearl Davis – vocals, flute, synthesizers
• Joachim Polack – keyboards, production
• Juliette & the Oysters performing live at SXSW in 2019

• Pearl and the Oysters (2017)
• Canned Music (2018)
• Flowerland (2021)
• Coast 2 Coast (2023)
• Planet Pearl (2024)

• "Pacific Ave" (2022)
• "Konami" (2023)
• "Think of Rain" (2024)

Publications such as Clash, FLOOD, and Wonderland have positively reviewed the band's work, noting their blend of retro styles with contemporary pop. Clash Magazine referred to their sound as “space-age pop folded with soft rock and jazz influences.”^[20][24]

• Indie pop
• Dream pop
• French music

• Official website