Waldskin head for shore, Yadam opens the door, Tristan introduced Rhea, Letchi loses it and more in today’s submissions from Groover, a platform that connects artists with critics like me for a small fee. You can (and should) subscribe to my Tinnitist Groover Top 100 playlist HERE, or you can listen to it via the widget at the lower right of every page on this site. If you want to be in an upcoming playlist, click the link just below the widget or go HERE. But first, check out today’s roster of mostly mononymous musicians:
Waldskin | The Shore
HOME BASE: Switzerland.
GENRE: Art-Rock.
THE BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Waldskin is a Swiss band that stands out from the current national production by proposing a more typified music in phase with the international alternative scene. Composed of sound design, old machines and more obscure music lovers, the band develops a style oscillating between pop art and electronica without however forbidding themselves from ambitious musical extravagances. Waldskin’s music is meant to be oppressively beautiful and grainy. A complex mix of purity and imperfections, of calm and latent violence. Through an unusual instrumentation (drums, synthesizers, cello, guitars, noises and vocals), Waldskin presents a unique musical style, oscillating between art pop and electronica, without denying themselves stylistic digressions. In spite of a musical line of their own, the band doesn’t deny their numerous influences: Massive Attack, Portishead, Nine Inch Nails, Moderat, Radiohead, etc…”
Yadam | Empty Doors
HOME BASE: Venezuela.
GENRE: Pop.
THE BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Yadam has lived a life of turmoil. He was born in Venezuela, but spent most of his childhood in the US. In 2012, he was forced to return to his country as it was undergoing its worst crisis in history. Determined to find a way out, he began studying different languages on his own, starting with French. In March 2017, he won the Alliance Française singing contest that granted him a free ticket to France. While in France he auditioned for Nouvelle Star (French Idol), where he reached the finals in December 2017 and was granted an artist visa to remain in the country. Yadam is now ready to release his very first EP, with the support of a successful fan-led fundraising campaign. He hopes to walk in the footsteps of artists such as RY X, Banks, Ibeyi, Woodkid and most recently Rosalia. This EP will present Yadam — a nomadic, tri-lingual, tri-cultural singer songwriter — with an emotional depiction of the never-ending turmoil his short life has already been through, constantly looking for his safe place.”
Tristan | Rhea
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Rap.
THE BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “It was at the age of 30 that Tristan decided to confront his past by writing rap lyrics linked to certain episodes in his life. He realised that confession in his future projects could have a therapeutic impact in the same way as a session in a shrink’s office. Thus Haiti, where he grew up and lived a large part of his life, often remains the theatre of his songs, a setting in which his memories evolve. After releasing a project titled Pile ou Face under the artist name Bpl’R, what Tristan now seeks to share in his stories is their authenticity.”
Letchi | Insane
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Folk.
THE BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Montreal, Quebec: Letchi has been hard at work the last three years creating and sharing his musical projects within North America. Under the his pseudonym, Canadian singer-songwriter Nick Trode has promoted and expanded his artistic approach with charismatic performances, rhythmic instrumentals and authentic vocals. Born out of the desire to shake loose an older sound, his new project, a five-song EP entitled The Static, aims to be his most ambitious work to date. With larger arrangements drawn from the musical talents of Lucio Jara, Alexy Guerer, Geoff Macfarlane, and Dylan Keating, the world of Letchi is growing. Encompassed in themes of movement and tales on the inevitability of a changing environment, The Static marks a step into a strange new world with an awakened curiosity and hunger to grow. The indie folk-rock project blends a world of rich acoustics and character-driven vocals with a lush melodic soundscape. Insane is posed upon an earnest question of our collective sanity, while pedal steel wistfully cries out and mandolins pluck away.”
Achim | Quitters La Zone
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Soul/R&B.
THE TRANSLATED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “In continuation of [R] released last April, Achim unveils the first song which opens [G], his second album announced for July 2020. Quitters La Zone (Leaving The Area) is a piece in which Achim continues to highlight the paradoxes that the inhabitants of the northern districts of Marseille are facing. A rhythmic, warm and optimistic instrument is set against harsh and cold words. The contradiction allows him to paint a fair picture of the reality of city life. Once again, Achim offers his own bittersweet production. With a touch of black humor, the artist from the La Castellane district in Marseille combines substance and form brilliantly.”
EïJi | Grand Frère
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Pop.
THE BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Ny name is EïJi, I am almost seven and from the region of Nantes in the West of France. I like to sing. I sing all the time…. While waking up, while showering, while listening to music with my parents… With my daddy, music composer, we challenged ourselves to write and create our very first song together during the containment. Today, we are so happy about the result that we would like to share our song to everybody else. Above all, we would like to create many more songs together. We are not running out of ideas ! Thanks to all of you who would like to share our work and see you soon.”
Jona Oak | Turbulence
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Folk-Pop.
THE BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Jona’s artistic world is truly bedazzling. She plays and performs a unique genre of a pop-folk mixed with Celtic and classical influences. Her ethereal melodies and vintage songwriting can be compared to Agnès Obel, Feist, Kate Bush, or even Joni Mitchell. She plans on releasing an album, A Step at a Time in 2020, accompanied by the musicians who have been following her for five years now: Nicolas Charlier, Dima Tsypkin and Rosie Marie. Genuine and organic: that is how Jona Oak’s electro-acoustic music sounds … Songs in which the cello, the voices and the rhythm combine to become one unique ensemble. Her original compositions are subtle, refined and full of rich sounds and take you on a blooming and unpredictable musical journey.”
Tadini | Welcome Back to Freedom
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Rock.
THE BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Tadini is a Los Angeles based Italian-Brazilian rock artist. Producer, arranger, songwriter, singer and pianist, with a degree from Berklee College of Music. Tadini is fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, English and Italian, and his music is a blend of all of the cultures he has been exposed to throughout his multicultural upbringing. This is the second single off of his upcoming album. Welcome Back to Freedom is a song about surpassing your inner struggles (mental health) to win back your freedom, and the message is delivered through electrifying guitar riffs, a wall of synths and an arena-ready, catchy chorus.”
Coralie Senkashi | Fighting Alone
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Synth-Rock.
THE TRANSLATED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Samurai from Albi in the south of France, I have been passionate about music since childhood. For me everything is a question of melody when I listen to a song rather than quoting great artists being part of the classics or not at all, hence my very selective tastes. Through my universe, I wish to transport people in joy, suffering, hope, in a deep and sincere way by mixing styles … a powerful Kamehameha of emotions!”
Lectrom | The Paradise
HOME BASE: Germany.
GENRE: EDM.
THE BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Lectrom is an electronic music producer originating from Germany. As a kid, he started to make beatbox beats and up until now. He learned to play the guitar a little bit, but it was not his passion and stopped it. It took more than 20 years, to give music another chance. Now he has found what makes him really happy and that is to produce electronic music.”
Adam Wendler | The Door Is Open
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Folk.
THE BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Adam Wendler is an independent multi-instrumentalist from Ontario, Canada, currently based in Berlin, Germany. Ever since picking up the guitar at the age of 15, he has been writing songs, dedicated to sharing his music with the world. Adam has independently put out three full-length albums before releasing his latest album The Compass LP — a compilation album that is representative of Adam’s diverse songwriting abilities. He is known for having no musical boundaries; blending pop elements with folk, country, indie and a touch of rock, he’s got something for everyone. Adam has received critical acclaim for his many thought provoking and elaborate music videos.”
Kimchii | Free Mind (Nicolaas Yacht Remix)
HOME BASE: Sweden.
GENRE: Synth-Pop.
THE BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Kimchii is the artist name of the Stockholm-based producer, DJ and performer Kim Söderlund. Influenced by artists such as Arthur Russell, Chic, Empire Of The Sun, Fred Falke and Kaytranada, Kimchii moves freely in diverse musical dimensions. Uniting the sounds of rnb, disco and house in dreamy ways — always with a deep, energetic and futuristic feel — Kimchii is generating a unique sound that keeps evolving. Kimchii invites some of his favorite artists to remix his latest single Free Mind. The resulting EP takes you on a Free Mind party voyage, each track playing out in diverse settings.”
thaïs | Boréal
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Synth-Pop.
THE TRANSLATED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Montreal songwriter and performer thaïs explores the sounds of French pop music, soaring and sparkling. With her soft and controlled voice, she sings of the melancholy, the loneliness and the love disorders that often inspire her. Her influences are diverse, ranging from Emily Haines to Malajube to Serge Gainsbourg. The delicate arrangements of an electric guitar accompany it, while keeping its indie signature on a powerful electro instrumental. With resolutely pop and dancing electro aerial instrumentation, Boréal, inspired by a trip to Iceland and the majesty of the great outdoors, marks the start of summer by evoking a desire for escape and freedom. With Boréal, Thaïs reveals the electro dance facet of his universe: A musical landscape inhabited by dreamy melodies and his voice of infinite sweetness.”
Beatslikeval | This Feeling
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Soul/R&B.
THE BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Hey everyone ! I’m Beatslikeval and I’m a young french indie producer, beatmaker, artist, composer of R&B, Neo-Soul & Hip-hop instrumental sounds. I have been passionate about music since a very young age. This year I have released the album Soul Summer 14 and two singles. The album allowed me to assert my musical style (very soulful). My singles Explanations and Say It are more trap/R&B. Many artists inspire me, including Daniel Caesar, Mary J. Blige, H.E.R. and Bryson Tiller.”
