Biography

Élodie Buchonnet

An accomplished musician and singer with extensive training, Élodie Buchonnet holds degrees in musicology from the universities of Grenoble and Saint-Étienne, as well as from the CNR of Grenoble in vocal technique, instrumental training and choir direction.

She performs as a singer (and keyboardist) in several contemporary music bands such as AUSPEX (symphonic metal) and KALISIA (progressive death metal), and has also participated in a tour with the band Alkemyst (power metal). She sings and plays various flutes in DARUMA.

Julien Pelloux

A passionate guitarist and multi-instrumentalist from a young age, Julien is a self-taught musician (guitar, piano, drums, charango, violin, Andean flutes, etc.). His journey has led him to travel extensively to discover the traditional music he loves, particularly in Latin America. He has also been a member of various groups, including KE ONDA (a Latin-rock-reggae band) which has worked and recorded with Gambeat, bassist for Manu Chao, and performed on major national stages; FAMILLE (a Jean-Jacques Goldman tribute band); and JE (an acoustic folk duo he created with Élodie, the singer of DARUMA).

The metal he’s always loved (he’s a fan of IRON MAIDEN, HELLOWEEN, ANGRA, BLIND GUARDIAN, METALLICA, SEPULTURA, NIGHTWISH, DREAM THEATER, among others) was long missing from his musical repertoire, and that dream has now become a reality: he is, of course, the founder and main songwriter of the band. Julien, also passionate about recording and sound in general, handles the music production for DARUMA, where he likes to create atmospheric soundscapes and blend samples (vocals, narration, traditional instruments, etc.) with the power of metal to further enrich the band’s sonic universe.

Cédric Stoeckel

Cédric Stoeckel is a passionate metal guitarist, shaped by the powerful riffs and dark atmospheres that define the genre’s great legends. Originally from the Isère region, he developed a fascination with the electric guitar at an early age, drawn to the raw intensity of metal and the freedom of expression it offers.

A tireless self-taught musician, Cédric has refined his playing over the years, blending technical precision with artistic sensitivity. His style is a blend of sharp rhythms and sonic textures that evoke both chaos and beauty. Influenced by bands such as Metallica, Gojira, Pantera, and Opeth, he continually explores the many facets of metal, from groove to progressive, including melodic death metal.

On stage and in the studio, Cédric stands out for his infectious energy and a constant search for authenticity. He participates in several musical projects, collaborates with other musicians from the local scene, and composes his own pieces, driven by a personal and committed artistic vision.

Beyond performance, he sees the guitar as a vehicle for rebellious emotions, a means of telling stories and stirring souls. His journey is that of a sound craftsman, always in search of new sounds and musical challenges.

Pascal “Sqwal” Mesquida

Pascal Mesquida, aka “Sqwaly,” is the bassist for DARUMA, which he joined in 2019. Originally from Marseille, he has been immersed in music since childhood. A self-taught musician, he developed his musical skills first on the guitar and then on the bass. Arriving in the Grenoble area in 1994, he formed Charly les Voyous, a folk-rock band with friends, where he was the lead guitarist.

Two years later, he formed Versatile with other musicians, a pop-rock band playing covers and original songs, where he also played lead guitar. With very eclectic musical tastes, he is most influenced by blues, funk, rock, and metal.

In 2001, he joined the progressive symphonic metal band Eltharia as bassist, recording the album “Legends of a Forgotten World” with them in 2004. From 2004 to 2011, he played with the progressive power metal band Somdravz, and with this group of friends, recorded their 3-track EP.

For many years, he has also been involved in various musical projects in different styles (jazz, world music) with schools, associations, and artists. He is also the bassist in two other bands: TabazZ, a rock/rock’n’roll cover band since 2013, and Yotélé, a folk/rock cover band since 2023.

Tristan Rota

About fifteen years of drumming, a good ten on guitar and vocals, and always faithful to the rhythm! Self-taught musician taken by passion very early on by the grooves, rhythms and syncopations of Heavy and Nu metal drums, I also pay a very attentive ear to the melancholic and deep melodies and atmospheres of symphonic metal, as well as the melodic death metal of our Nordic neighbors, and I do not hesitate to let it drag on the galloping riffs of more modern metalcore. These are the main representatives of these fields who inspired my drumming, and continually participate in my musical evolution. What I like is the harmony of instruments and voices, it is the group that forms a whole, it is also the subtle melodic or rhythmic demarcations that one will not notice, but that others will see as a touch of genius. I see the drums as a melodic instrument as much as a rhythmic one, but that doesn’t stop me from blasting the bass drum when a head bang is called for!

Aside from metal, my musical tastes are extremely varied and can easily be lost in reggae, rock, blues, film music, classical, rap, trance, and so on. Anything goes, as long as the song is generously offered!

After a few years abroad, and a lot (too much) time spent on the guitar, it’s time to pick up the drumsticks again, and it’s with great pleasure that I join the Daruma adventure!

Loïc Jaillet

Having started learning piano at the age of five, Loïc draws his main influences from 1970s progressive rock (Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Genesis, Magma, Frank Zappa…), but his inspirations also include hard rock, jazz fusion, and several other genres.

He joined DARUMA in 2022 as a keyboardist and made his first participation in recording an album with the release of “Full Circle” in 2025.

Alongside Julien and Élodie, he is also a member of FAMILLE, a Jean-Jacques Goldman tribute band. In addition, he also makes music as a solo artist, and released his first EP, “Looking Out”, in 2025.