La Réunion (Reunion Island) is a tiny speck of land situated in the Indian Ocean just east of Madagascar. Famous for housing one of the world’s most active volcanoes, Piton de la Fournaise, this French domain is something of an island paradise.
Home to the largest French city outside of France, Saint-Denis, as well as the community of Hell-Bourg, which has been ranked among the most beautiful villages in France, La Réunion is the lush setting that nurtured the musical stylings of the fledgling new group OMA.
The husband and wife duo Romane and Gaël Marimoutou utilize their classical training to conjure a mindful mix of electronics, world music, and pop elements.
Their debut track, “Dance,” is a collaboration with fellow Reunionese artists, directors, and dancers to introduce OMA and their Reunion Island vibes to the world.
“Dance was inspired by a sleepless night,” the pair reveal of the track’s intimate minimalism and easy, breezy atmospheres. “It’s about the feeling of being alone even if your partner is right there next to you.”
To create the song’s music video, OMA and friends went the DIY route to capture the genuine artistic energy of the island.
“Our director, Yoann, was familiar with Pierrefonds’ abandoned sugar factory in the south of the island. It is a space that is regularly infested by the street artists of Réunion,” OMA explain. “In terms of staging, we had to adapt to the space and ensure that no one could get hurt—there was a lot of scrap of broken bottles in the place, metal hanging around everywhere. The roof was threatening to fall every minute. We had to climb walls to make the most of the location.”
OMA will release their debut EP, In Motion, on Infinite Companion this March. Get a glimpse of La Réunion in the “Dance” video below.
