Your Story Starts Here: Maeve de Bordons x La Bonne Musique

Every story starts somewhere. Some begin in studios, others on stage… and sometimes, in a Facebook group among friends who just love good music. Your Story Starts Here is a series dedicated to capturing these journeys. For this chapter, we handed Maeve de Bordons from La Bonne Musique a disposable camera and asked her to document the world behind their collective. What started as a small community in Reading, UK, has grown into a label, event series, and creative hub that celebrates connection, collaboration, and the ever-evolving sounds of electronic music. 🔊🪩 Learn more about how their story began right here…

Your Story Starts Here: Maeve de Bordons x La Bonne Musique

The Story of La Bonne Musique

What started as a simple music-sharing group on Facebook quickly evolved into something much bigger. Founded around 2017-2018, La Bonne Musique began as a tight-knit community of university friends in Reading, UK, brought together by a shared love for electronic music. Before long, those online exchanges turned into real-life events, hosting DJs they admired like FAUZIA, Finn, Aleksandir, and DELASFLORES.

When the crew later moved to London, their events grew too, taking over venues like The Cause, Venue MOT, and Peckham Audio. Then, during the pandemic, La Bonne Musique took the next step and officially became a record label, debuting with their Friends & Fam compilation featuring producers they’d met along the way.

Now with 15 releases and artists from all over the world, La Bonne Musique continues to celebrate the diverse and evolving sounds of electronic music, from breakbeats and jungle to techno and club-driven tracks. Co-run by Ben and Maeve, the label thrives on collaboration, creativity, and community, with both playing to their strengths to bring every idea to life, whether that’s a new release, a merch drop, or an event. With a new zine and VA compilation on the way, the La Bonne Musique story is far from over.

🎙️ We talked with Maeve de Bordons about the story of La Bonne Musique, what inspires them, and more. Check out what she said below…

How does your community inspire you?

“Our community is the reason we started, and as we have lived more experiences, traveled, and met new people, this has informed how the label has grown. We have met some of our greatest friends and collaborators through La bonne musique.”

“It’s a creative outlet for both Ben and me, evolving as we evolve and allowing us to try new things with extremely talented people. We feel very lucky every time we receive a demo, work on a release, put out a mix, or collaborate with our community in different ways.”

Why do you run things out of London vs. another city?

“London is one of the most vibrant cultural cities in the world. I love all the different sounds I can hear when I go out. It’s one of the reasons I live here.  On any given night, there are multiple parties and events with incredible music, influenced by places all over the world and mixed in unique ways. It is a place where you can find all types of scenes, sounds, and dance floors.”

What influence does your city have on your music?

“London’s influence on the label is all over the projects we put out. While the artists on the label are from all over the world, there is a clear connection to London and the UK’s electronic music culture, with a strong presence of breakbeats, jungle, and techno.”

“The approach to the music we receive and put out is very much shaped by how London is a space that encourages us to be open to trying new things, experimenting, and coming together for the love of music. It’s a city made up of huge contrasts in every aspect of daily life. It can have huge highs and equally challenging times. It’s a place that has made us more resilient, and also allowed us the joy of following through on our creative ideas, and meeting people willing to collaborate and work together through different mediums.”

Got any favorite record stores in your city?

“Phonica, Dash The Henge, Kristina Records, Planet Wax.”

What are your favorite venues to see live music in your area?

“So many to choose from… but to go out: Venue MOT, FOLD, Spanners, Starlane Pizza Bar, Avalon Cafe, among many other great spaces. Then, Space Talk and Jumbi for more intimate evenings or listening parties, and Shai Space for amazing community events. We have worked very closely with them on multiple occasions and brought a few of the label artists there to launch new projects or lead workshops.”

What about favorite local music festivals?

“Rally Festival for a great South East London community festival, Body Movements, Transmissions… London is full of amazing festivals, especially during the summer.”

This is just a chapter of their story… where does yours begin?

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