A Poignant Podcast From a Psychiatric Hospital

A new podcast project is being born at the Bohars psychiatric hospital. Between poignant stories and artistic creations, “Boum Boum Tourbillon” immerses us in the world of patients with unsuspected talent. A sound journey that challenges and moves us…

What happens when two music and sound enthusiasts decide to meet patients in a psychiatric hospital? An extraordinary human and artistic adventure, which today takes the form of a podcast as touching as it is inspiring: “Boum Boum Tourbillon”.

A Talented Duo at the Service of the Word

At the origin of this unique project, we find Arthur B. Gillette, musician well known for his work with the groups Moriarty, Mick Strauss and Asteréotypie, and Victor Blanchard, specialist in sound capture. Their objective: allow patients at the Bohars psychiatric hospital, near Brest, to express themselves freely through sound creations.

For 8 days last February, the Agora common room was transformed into a real recording studio. Microphones, instruments, radio set… everything was in place to welcome the thirty volunteer patients in the best conditions. “We talk to them as equals, and I think that’s what feels good – especially when we’re faced with great vulnerability”confides Arthur B. Gillette.

A Sound Journey in 10 Episodes

From this experience was born “Boum Boum Tourbillon”, a podcast in 10 episodes which takes us on a unique sound journey. Poetic delusions, fictions, moments of life… The patients speak with disarming sincerityguided by the kindness of Arthur and Victor.

• Planet of Cats
• The Great Watermelon-melon Adventure
• Ty-Mamm Gozh, between Breton language and memories
• The Safe, to relieve heavy words

So many milestones in this sonic journey, which reveals unsuspected talents. “Structures like the Bohars Psychiatric Hospital are places where there is an inexhaustible supply of art”underlines the creative duo.

Committed Partners

This innovative project was made possible thanks to the involvement of selected partners:

• La Carrière, scene of contemporary music in Brest
• The Brest University Hospital and the Bohars psychiatric hospital
• The mental health support association An Avel Vor

This week of creativity with them was a powerful ray of sunshine in my depression.

– Marine, 73 years old, patient with chronic depression

Proof that art and creation have their place in a care pathway. An observation shared by patients, nursing staff, and cultural structures involved in this type of approach.

On the Road to New Adventures

After these emotion-rich recordings, “Boum Boum Tourbillon” takes off. The little red bus, born from this unique complicity, now has the mission of travel across France and break down barriers. First scheduled stopover: Les Ateliers des Capucins in Brest, during information weeks on mental health.

A great opportunity to discover these life stories, these fragments of existence set to music and sound. Arthur B. Gillette and Victor Blanchard affirm: “Patients are artists, the true vaults of sensitivity and creativity”. With “Boum Boum Tourbillon”, they offer us the key to diving into their vibrant and touching universe. A listening experience not to be missed!