DJ Cosmic pours it on, Mamie Cat invades your dreams, Yuanfen have your number, Roquemore returns, Swim take a pass 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, on with today’s show.
DJ Cosmin | Milkshake
HOME BASE: Germany.
GENRE: Pop.
THE BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Transylvanian-born Cosmin is known for his singles Brother, Milkshake and Luck Is. All three were well-represented in the German airplay charts and the Top 20 of the international DJ charts for several weeks. “Milkshake is about enjoying life outside with your best friend. It is about those intimate moments you have with your partner. Enjoying a milkshake in all so many ways!!”
Mamie Cat | Mamie Cat Dream Rewire
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Synth-Pop.
THE BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Mamie Cat is doing everything to become the digital star. She puts all her energy into keeping up with new technologies. She makes her dream come true, she is an example. Time does not pass on her. She parodies digital, makes fun of it with humor, while describing it with the utmost seriousness, like a necessity for its vitality. She expresses the past, the present and the future in this dynamic. Crazy, surprising, new literary rap or slam style.”
Yuanfen | L1
HOME BASE: United Kingdom / Slovenia.
GENRE: Electronica.
THE BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “We are Yuanfen, two friends, collaborating across borders. We’re currently based in Ljubljana (Slovenia) and London (U.K.). We officially formed in 2019, following a couple of collaborative projects and a shared mutual interest in creating something unique and we have just released our first single L1. Expect to hear dance-infused downtempo indie that draws from a broad spectrum of influences — from U.K. underground music to dream pop. Think washed out guitars; crisp, swung percussion; hard-hitting in the low end; airy synths, pads, and textures to tie everything together.”
Roquemore | Back
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Orch-Rock.
THE BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Roquemore is a new beat-driven, baroque-orchestral rock project. Wrought from late-night sessions in Montreal’s Mile-End basements & recording studios, Roquemore’s session-beats grab robust baselines to trap sprawling arrangements into compact grooves. Roquemore’s third single Back is an indie cinematic power ballad for the ages. Groovy arrangements set the tone for sibilant and seductive vocals, balancing retro roots within a reassuringly indie ambiance. Humbling and affirmative, the track is appropriately timely, conveying a desperate hope despite a crumbling social climate.”
Swim | Pass By
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Pop-Rock.
THE BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “We are an indie pop-rock band from New York! Four friends having fun and making music about the ups and down that accompany the universal journey of finding yourself and the life you want to live! Our song Pass By is on our new EP which includes our two most recent singles reimagined as acoustic, stripped-down versions. This EP demonstrates our diversity of songwriting ranging from alternative to pop-rock to acoustic coffeehouse style music that’s great for all listeners!”
Lundi Bleu | Nobody is Perfect
HOME BASE: France / United States.
GENRE: EDM.
THE BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “French electro deep house band. Romeo Galasso is an American model and DJ based in Los Angeles. His first track Nobody Is Perfect was produced by french DJ Alexis Barbosa, founder of Lundi Bleu. Our intention was to keep the underground and experimental mood of the warehouse parties in downtown L.A.”
Bel Ombre | Les Reines
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Pop.
THE TRANSLATED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I invite you to discover Bel Ombre. A dreamy, electric and poetic pop, texts between fantasy and reality, obsessions and fascinations. Bel Ombre is my stage name, I am Laurie Xhaard, singer-songwriter and I live in Paris. Visages is my first EP in French. It is made up of four pieces.”
Tiphanie Doucet | Imagine
HOME BASE: France / United States.
GENRE: Folk-Pop.
THE BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “French songbird Tiphanie Doucet’s dreamy and distinct vocals take you on a rustic journey through tender emotions that will lift your spirits. Fans of Norah Jones, Ingrid Michaelson and Feist will welcome her new take on this popular classic. Doucet is a French singer-songwriter and actress who had her first staring roll as a child in French film le Bebe d’Elsa and later the Glee-like TV series Chante, giving her popularity in her native France. Focusing on her love of music, she transitioned into a music career and eventually traveled to L.A. and New York, where she now resides. In 2020 Tiphanie performed on Canadian Voice where she was praised by the judges for her dreamy voice and faultless emotional performances. Doucet is set to release her latest EP Painted Blue, which threads darker, more mature and haunting tones through her adored folky sound. Recorded in the Catskills and later finished in her hometown Paris, it follows her last album Under My Sun which was produced by Simone Felice and David Baron, who have worked with the likes of The Lumineers and Jade Bird.”
Wallish | Cry
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Orch-Pop.
THE BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Edmonton based singer-songwriter Wallish brings incredible artistry to her raw and emotional lyrics accompanied by nuance and fresh melodies. Breaking into the music scene in the spring of 2020, Wallish combines her love for an authentic acoustic sound, with her love of musical exploration to create a unique musical style of her own. Wallish grew up living and working at the family business, a greenhouse, which has ingrained in her the value of hard work, and a love for natural, unaltered beauty. This is how she aims to create her own music, natural, imperfect, but true — and in the truth there is beauty. While she does not aim to push boundaries for boundaries’ sake, Wallish does not back away from the uncomfortable and controversial in order to say what needs to be said.
“Cry reflects on the current moment I found myself in after recovering from addiction, dealing with mental illness, moving home, going to treatment, and learning the daily life skills I failed to learn as a young adult. I found myself ready to go out and spread my wings — but terrified to do so. And that is the place Cry was written out of.”
Steven Pierce | Hand’s Up ft. Crazy Charlie
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Synth-Pop.
THE BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Steven Pierce has grown up to be the DJ producer you know today. This track will make you groove when you hear the chorus with catchy bass line. Simple but attractive. When we try a crowd review, every time (we get) the same response: “I really loved this beat. It made me want to get up and dance. Its electricity is contagious. The artist’s accent made it unique. I would download it.”
Modeo | Free Dream
HOME BASE: Belgium.
GENRE: Synth-Pop.
THE BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Modeo is the new pop-dance sound from Belgium. Behind this project hides a musician and radio host. Free Dream is a dance ballad. The first feedbacks are promising and several radio stations immediately agreed to play it soon.”
Fold | Aphelion ft. Mr Gee
HOME BASE: United Kingdom.
GENRE: Hop-Hop.
THE BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Fold is a Leeds-based collective exploring different ways in which narratives & poetry can be woven into music. They aim to honestly reflect the world of today, to speak truth clearly, and to represent diverse perspectives. Fold have gained a solid reputation as a gem in the crown of the underground British music scene. Fold’s releases are about encouraging a sense of empowerment, understanding and unity among listeners. Fold have bound together a diverse group of voices and perspectives across time & space dealing with urgent issues. These voices come in the form of MCs, poets, historical speakers and singers. Musically they’ve let all of their influences freely commingle; ranging from jazz-funk through Brazilian psyche, hip hop and downtempo.”
Running Lights | One In A Million
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Pop.
THE BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Hard work is nothing new to the NYC-based trio Running Lights. For Mike Squillante (guitar/vocals), Nick Squillante (keys), and Steve Ranellone (drums) it’s a deep-rooted notion that has been a cornerstone of their Italian working-class upbringing, paired with an unwavering passion for music. Over the last five years the brothers have been lending their talents to industry professionals, Mike as a touring guitarist/keyboardist for major label acts such as Melanie Martinez and Gnash, and Nick as an engineer at NYC’s legendary Electric Lady Studios working exclusively with Grammy-winning mix engineer Michael Brauer. After years of being students to the game and millions of views for their covers on YouTube, the guys decided to direct full focus on themselves. They joined forces with childhood friend Steve Ranellone, a seasoned drummer and Warped Tour veteran, and have been giving it their all as Running Lights ever since. Together they’ve been crafting a debut that captures the energy, power, and fearless passion of the band’s live show.”
Roah | Old Friend
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Metal.
THE BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Founded in 2017 by brothers Clément and Pierre Afoumado (Inhepsie, ex-Neuronspoiler), Roah is a Heavy Metal band with various influences (Metallica, Iron Maiden, Sonata Arctica, Children of Bodom). The founders were joined by bassist Juan Barragan, drummer Romuald Carbone and singer Quentin Thevenard. After shows in Paris and elsewhere in France through the year 2019, Roah published a five-song demo in August 2019. Their second single Old Friend was recorded and produced at Vamacara Studios. “This song features great clean vocals, powerful choruses, catchy guitar riffs and melodies with a sense of groove.”
Sally Ann | Pretty Mess
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Pop.
THE BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I’m a Parisien-Malaysian singer and actress. I began singing before I could even speak properly. With a toy microphone and dolls, I enjoyed belting songs in my imaginary concerts. But growing up wasn’t as fun as I just made it sound. From childhood, I’ve been battling mental disorders. Singing has been the one big thing that’s kept me going. Now, armed with the experiences I’ve taken out of my battles with depression, I write songs with strong lyrics and themes that I hope to share with others who can identify. Pretty Mess is an electro pop number which contains a lot of ‘good vibes’ and speaks of a fairly serious subject (identity crisis and racism) but with a very positive rhythm — and finally, it’s about love!”
