The story of CRUSH is written through the journey of its founder, Maïa. Passionate from childhood, she began playing the cello at the age of 5. From her classical training at the Conservatoire de Lille to the prestigious Royal College of Music in London, she quickly stepped away from the traditional academic path of a soloist to choose working behind the scenes—where music is truly crafted and shared.
For over 15 years, Maïa has accompanied artists on stage and in the studio (Jorja Smith, Aloïse Sauvage, November Ultra, Mentissa...). Convinced of the unique magic string instruments bring to elevate a piece of music, she founded Les Accordées in 2020. Today, this structure has become CRUSH: while the excellence of strings remains its historical DNA, the agency has naturally broadened its scope to meet the comprehensive demands of modern productions.
At the core of this growth, CRUSH champions an uncompromising ethical vision: healthy working conditions, a strict non-discrimination policy, and fair compensation for every musician. Artistic excellence cannot exist without respect for those who create it.
As CRUSH's founding specialty and true core expertise, composing bespoke arrangements gives new texture and depth to the tracks. From a solo cello to a full string ensemble, the writing and orchestration process is designed to integrate organically into the aesthetic of each project. These creations bring an extra touch of soul and a strong identity to the works, elevating a studio recording session or magnifying a key moment of a live show.
While technical virtuosity is a prerequisite, human chemistry remains the true key to any project. Drawing on a highly selective network, casting goes far beyond simply recruiting performers; it becomes a work of precision. Each musician is chosen for their personality, attitude, and sensibility, ensuring their identity resonates naturally with the artist's DNA. The goal is not merely to gather talents, but to create natural connections and build deeply united teams, both in the studio and on the road.
Translating a studio album for the stage is far more than a mere technical adaptation: it means embedding the music into the overall vision of a show. CRUSH's approach relies on total immersion in the project's artistic direction. By absorbing the artist's deep universe (their lyrics, visual identity, and storytelling), the musical work serves a comprehensive aesthetic. From rearranging tracks to designing bespoke intros and transitions, every element is crafted to blend seamlessly with the artistic message and bring to life a show of absolute coherence.
Because great artistic ambition requires flawless logistics, the reality on the ground is fully taken care of. From pre-production to comprehensive administration (payroll management, contracts, declarations), as well as schedule coordination and on-site orchestra management, the entire process is secured. A rigorous management behind the scenes, designed to let the artists shine in the spotlight.
