musette
what it is
Bal-musette is a style of French music and dance that first became popular in Paris in the 1880s. Auvergnats settled in large numbers in the 5th, 11th, and 12th districts (arrondissements) of Paris during the 19th century, opening cafés and bars where patrons danced the bourrée to the accompaniment of the cabrette (a bellows-blown bagpipe locally called a "musette") and often the vielle à roue (hurdy-gurdy). Parisian and Italian musicians who played the accordion adopted the style and established themselves in Auvergnat bars especially in the 19th arrondissement.
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art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
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deep experimental
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questions
What is musette?
Bal-musette is a style of French music and dance that first became popular in Paris in the 1880s. Auvergnats settled in large numbers in the 5th, 11th, and 12th districts (arrondissements) of Paris during the 19th century, opening cafés and bars where patrons danced the bourrée to the accompaniment of the cabrette (a bellows-blown bagpipe locally called a "musette") and often the vielle à roue (hurdy-gurdy). Parisian and Italian musicians who played the accordion adopted the style and established themselves in Auvergnat bars especially in the 19th arrondissement.
What are good musette albums to start with?
Try Frank’s Wild Years (2023 Remaster) by Tom Waits, Lon Gisland by Beirut, Hawaï by Java, and The Rough Guide To Paris Café Music by Various Artists.
Who are some women making musette?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/musette/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making musette, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-20