September 30th

TheMerode
Brussels, Belgium

Where groovy soundscapes and animated visuals come together for a cinematic experience.

Groove maestro, acclaimed keyboardist and composer, Anthony Malka created Le Commandant Couche-Tôt in 2018—his animated alter ego designed to take audiences on a very unique musical journey. Blending groove, poetry, animation, and storytelling, this character brings to life a world where sound and vision meet. Vision, process, magic, mystery—for the first time, Le Commandant Couche-Tôt tells us his story.

Heir to the French keyboard tradition of artists like Chassol and General Elektriks, and the cinematic flair of composers such as François de Roubaix and Serge Gainsbourg, Malka crafts a laid-back, time-bending groove rooted in funk, yet drifting effortlessly through disco, Brazilian rhythms, and dreamlike textures, somewhere between Khruangbin and Air.

Each track tells a sonic story, brought to life through a visual universe reminiscent of Wes Anderson and Terry Gilliam—offering an immersive experience where music and image merge.

Une Histoire d’Amour Brésilienne (LP)
(BMM Records - 2021)

Le Commandant Couche-tôt et son magnifique orchestre de claviers
(BMM Records - 2020)

a bit of Air, something of Yussef Dayes, a breeze of Azymuth…
brazilian disco & sophisticated funk at his best

People say

 

« Le Commandant Couche-tôt nous embarque à bord d’un vaisseau fantasmé, navigant dans le sillage de Serge Gainsbourg le temps de quelques envolées instrumentales. »

— Radio Nova

« …something of Vulfpeck and a reminiscent of 70s cinematic music plus a hint of Brazil »

— London Jazz News

«Le Commandant Couche-Tôt gelingt ein ganz großer Wurf in Sachen instrumentaler Black Music-Coolness und ein kleines Meistwerk in Sachen Soundtrack-Reminiszenz an die glorreichen und unerreichten Siebziger Jahre »

— Soultrain Online

Heir to the French keyboard legacy of artists like Chassol and General Elektriks, and to film music composers such as François de Roubaix and Serge Gainsbourg, Berlin based French keyboarder, composer and educator Anthony Malka aka Le Commandant Couche-tôt champions a distinctly French kind of groove—refined, eloquent, and endlessly sample-worthy.

Alongside his magnificent orchestra of keyboards, he crafts a laid-back, time-stretching groove somewhere between Khruangbin and Air, with smooth detours through disco and Brazilian influences.

Each track tells a sonic story, brought to life by a carefully curated visual universe reminiscent of Wes Anderson and Terry Gilliam.

He released 2 critically acclaimed EPs on French based label BMM Records feat. General Elektriks, UK neo-soul legend Omar Lye-Fook, ex-Jamiroquai drummer Nick Van Gelder, Azymuth’s bassist Alex Malheiros
and got remixed by renowned producers Fouk, Max Graef, Souleance and Paul Cut.

Malka received support from David Blot (Radio Nova), Worldwide FM, FIP, Jeremy Sole (KCWR), Diane Marois (La Première/Jam), Andrew Jervis (Bandcamp Weekly), le Bureau Export, Délicieuse Musique and many more.

Discography
2025 - Discordance (EP - Ouvo Records)
2022 - Lose It (single - BMM Records)
2021 - Une histoire d’amour brésilienne (LP - BMM Records)
2020 - Le Commandant Couche-tôt et son magnifique orchestre de claviers (EP - BMM Records)