The 2024 Olympic Games have come to an end, and we’ll surely miss the excitement. As is customary for the world’s most significant sports event, it has once again delivered countless moments of triumph, effort, and resilience across all disciplines.
However, as we know, the Olympics aren’t just about the competitions. The Opening Ceremony left us all in awe, showcasing every facet of French culture through diverse performances.
In addition to global stars like Lady Gaga and Celine Dion, artistic director Thomas Jolly and his team ensured the inclusion of key figures in contemporary French culture, such as DJ Barbara Butch and Axelle Saint-Cirel. Now, alongside Billie Eilish, Snoop Dogg, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, they’ve brought the electronic band Air to represent the nation on the world stage.
Who is Air?
Air is a French electronic music duo formed in 1995, consisting of Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoît Dunckel. Known for their distinctive sound that blends electronic music with elements of ambient, synth-pop, and downtempo, Air gained international fame with their debut album Moon Safari in 1998, which includes the hit single “Sexy Boy.”
The duo’s music is characterized by its dreamy, atmospheric quality, often featuring lush synthesizer melodies, gentle rhythms, and a blend of electronic and acoustic instruments. Their work is often associated with the “French touch” movement, a style of French electronic music that gained prominence in the late 1990s.
Who makes up Air? Introducing the French electronic duo at the 2024 Olympics
- Nicolas Godin
Nicolas Godin was born in Paris, Île-de-France, on December 25, 1969, making him 54 years old. He studied architecture at the École nationale supérieure d’architecture de Versailles, where Jean-Benoît Dunckel studied mathematics before they formed Air in 1995.
Nicolas Godin of Air performs onstage during the 2017 Governors Ball Music Festival – Day 3 at Randall’s Island on June 4, 2017 in New York City. (Source: Noam Galai/Getty Images)
Back then, they first played together in the band Orange. Originally intended as a solo project for Godin, he invited Dunckel to join Air once the project started gaining traction, recognizing that he would be a valuable addition. They chose the name Air to reflect the airy quality of their music.
For Godin, making this art is not an obligation but a passion. In an interview with Huck, he mentioned that he only creates and records music when he feels inspired, giving more importante to the simple joys of life, such as sleeping in, walking his dog, and spending time with friends. He also enjoys composing soundtracks and creating music for ballet performances, fashion shows, and art exhibitions.
- Jean-Benoît Dunckel
Jean-Benoît Dunckel, born in the same region as Nicolas Godin and just a few months older, on September 7, 1969, is also 54 years old. Before pursuing a career in music, he studied mathematics and physics and taught at a middle school in Paris.
Jean-Benoit Dunckel arrives at the 46th Cesar Film Awards Ceremony At L’Olympia on March 12, 2021 in Paris, France. (Source: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Both Godin and Dunckel are known for their private nature, revealing little about their personal lives. However, they have frequently discussed their music composition. Dunckel’s early major influence was Brian Eno, and he began composing as a teenager only using a Korg MS-20.
When asked if his background in mathematics has influenced his work, Dunckel mentioned that he sometimes views music through a mathematical lens. This perspective has not restricted his creativity; rather, it has encouraged him to explore and experiment further. As he explained in a conversation with Paris Project, “Rhythm is mathematical; it’s a division of time, and harmony is a spectral division of an interval between two notes”.
