Ragdoll and Doh Doh dish up some exclusive tracks, Father Moon know what the early bird gets, JeanDo finds a little slice of heaven, Brisa Roché doubles down on the sound of classic singer-songwriter pop — and those are just the openers in today’s submissions from Groover, a platform that connects artists with critics like me for a small fee. You can (and should) visit to my Tinnitist Top 150 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, enjoy some songs you won’t hear anywhere else:
EXCLUSIVE: Ragdoll | Rise
HOME BASE: Ireland.
GENRE: Alt-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Ragdoll formed in Northampton U.K. in the late ’80s. The band played a mix of original and covers on a local and national level until the mid-’90s, when the members began moving to different countries. Guitarist Dec Burke has released several studio albums both solo and with named prog acts. Drummer Wayne Cox moved to Ireland and worked as a session player. Bass player/vocalist Paul Hird moved to California, where he mixes and masters for artists worldwide. Keyboard player/vocalist David Cox also moved to Ireland, where he has starred in numerous musicals. The band reconnected during lockdown and began writing and recording new material. Main influences range from The Beatles and The Who, through Led Zeppelin, Free and Rush, on to Toto, Journey and Van Halen, with a splash of Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. Rise is their first release. The production, mixing, mastering and video production were all done by the band in England, Ireland and the U.S.A. They are currently putting the finishing touches on a self-titled EP and writing new material for an album. They say “Rise is a song about the collective power of people to bring about positive change by peaceful means.”
EXCLUSIVE: Doh Doh | Don’t Stop The Music
HOME BASE: Italy.
GENRE: Disco.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I’m Doh Doh. I’m from Ivory coast, I live in Italy and I’m a singer, songwriter and producer. The entire universe is paralyzed by this Covid-19 pandemic, but music is not because no one can stop it. With my single Don’t Stop The Music, which will be released on April 30, I would like to restore smile and hope to all of humanity.”
Father Moon | The Worm & The Raven
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Metal.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Father Moon hit the scene in 2018 and have used their love of doom-metal, occult literature, and ethereal entities such as religion to craft heavy sounds of redemption, the fall, and strife. “Our name is multi-faceted in the definition. What started off as a playful tease of an online band name generator turned into a moment of inspiration,” they says. From there, the band crafted their own lore surrounding the moniker — “a post-apocalyptic future where the Sun has become severed from Mother Earth, and now Father Moon is our only source of celestial companionship.” These themes and more will be fully explored on Father Moon’s upcoming concept album later this year.”
JeanDo | Paradis
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Folk.
THE TRANSLATED & EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “A native of Quebec City, JeanDo began writing songs at the age of 25. At 34, he sings like he dreams and travels like he writes, sinuously but surely! His atmospheric folk has a good-natured universe of tender revolt and unleashed love. Since 2014, he has produced three EPs titled Prisonnier, Le Shack à Souvenirs and All The Stars Told Me. Paradis was recorded in the open air, on the shores of the St. Lawrence River. Says JeanDo: “I wanted my songs to blend with the songs of the birds, the sound of the wind and the waves. This acoustic version of Paradise will make you impatient for the return of summer.”
Brisa Roché | Last Song + Don’t Want A Man
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Classic Pop.
THE TRANSLATED & EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “He, Fred Fortuny, had long dreamed of making an album like the beautiful records written in Laurel Canyon in the ’60s by The Mamas and Papas, Byrds and Joni Mitchell — along with echoes of The Brill Building, Carole King and Jimmy Webb. She, Brisa Roché, is a beautiful American voice residing in France — a total artist, singer, songwriter, writer and painter. Together they record songs which come from afar, which come from the heart.”
Pastel Coast | Sunset
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Indie-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “From the shores of Boulogne-sur-mer, Pastel Coast look toward the sea. Quentin Isidore and his band ride the U.S. indie pop wave “à la française.” Following up their award-nominated debut album Hovercraft, Pastel Coast return in 2021 with a new opus titled Rendez-vous and its latest single Sunset. Pastel Coast are in a race against time, trying to find love before the sun goes down. Directed by Robin Laroque and Quentin Marinelllo, starring Samya Arrat, the music video for Sunset mocks a romantic love affair in four minutes — filmed as a Super 8 movie.”
Ruca | Billie Jean (ft. Owlite)
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Ruca teams up with Owlite on the catchy and dancing single Billie Jean. Ruca is a French pop and nu-disco producer with various influences such as Breakbot, Yuksek and Phoenix. Billie Jean will be the third and last single before the release of his debut EP Aperoze on May 21.”
Tenacity | Wish
HOME BASE: United Kingdom.
GENRE: Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “London’s Tenacity are Ula Wodarz, Tim Burghaus, Daniel Lazenby and Simba Jindu. Tenacity have been bringing their boundary-breaking sound to prestigious stages for three years and released the There/Gone EP in 2019. Their eclectic style blends a forward-thinking pop and rock framework with jazz harmony, electronic production, world fusion beats and ambient flourishes. They have continued working on new material in spite of the pandemic and are now making the finishing touches to their first LP, a collection of songs refined through hours of studio work and organic development. Wish is dedicated to all the overthinkers, strugglers, worriers and anyone in need of some hope and love right now.”
Larissa Tormey | Slightly Mad
HOME BASE: Ireland.
GENRE: Roots-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Larissa Tormey — a native of Central Russia — made her break onto the music scene in Ireland when she released her first album Perfect As I Am 2014. She released on her second album God Loves A Trier in 2017, followed by Cowgirls Don’t Cry in 2018. This is the third single from her new project Slightly Mad. Says Tormey: “I hope I will send you my happy vibes with it. I made a video myself here In Ireland where I live, in our farmhouse. Covid time taught me a thing or two.”
Jordi Forniés | River
HOME BASE: Spain.
GENRE: Neo-Classical.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Jordi Forniés is a Spanish musician, composer, and visual artist based in Singapore. Always contemplative and expansive, his compositions draw on neoclassical and ambient electronic music. Forniés composes for piano, strings, and small ensembles, working with studio recordings alongside electronic elements. River was composed for string quartet and piano in 2020 but recorded in 2021 in Singapore. He says it’s “a challenging and rhythmic piece that wants to transport the listener to a place near moving waters.”
SGF Graham | Truth
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Rap.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Fun, smart, determined, funny, loyal and ready to show the world who I am! I am ready!”
Marcel Docteur | La Baronne Du Jazz
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Jazz.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Originally from Paris, I am a singer-songwriter. I work for arrangements and musical direction with Eric Miller. I am also a producer under the label Aucleamy. My last album Musicales 3 featured music for films or future songs.”
Adam Berry | Princesse
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “A 22-year-old artist, Adam Berry combines universal musical trends with a style and groove all his own. His trademark? A good funk/soul influence, soaring and dancing at the same time. Always looking for new sounds for each of his songs, he juggles from one musical genre to another while keeping his style. His first album CAL->MTL, released in 2019, allowed him to express the richness and diversity of his influences. With house, hip-hop, soul and pop tracks, his latest EP Citron Juice is his most representative project. Princess ”is a disco-sounding pop song composed and written by Berry and Alastair Lane. Jazz, funk and soul influences are also present throughout the song: the bassline is groovy and the synths transport you. Berry’s crooning adds another dimension to the song, while Lane’s solo takes you on a cosmic journey. Princess is a cocktail of disco and pop brought up to date — perfect for balmy summer nights and frenzied dance floors.”
Mathieu Cetta | Never Knew Love Like This (ft. Terri B)
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: EDM.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “DJ and producer Mathieu is an emerging artist from the south of France. His music features melodious and joyful deep-house and house sounds, marked by sensual and cheerful voices. He says: “I present to you my latest track Never Knew Love Like This, with the diva Terri B.”
$0-LE$ | Easy Way Out
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Rap.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Emmanuel McNeil (aka $0-LE$) is a rapper from Lower East Side Manhattan. His music is largely influenced by the works of God, his family, and himself. He composed, produced, mixed and mastered every single track by himself. What does $0-LE$ mean? “The simplest meaning is I’m from the Lower East Side. The more descriptive meaning is: Like any other poverty-riddled neighborhood, the environment that I lived in and all the pain I endured at a young age from being poor, the gun violence or violence period, the crime, the death, the gang affiliation, the killings, and disappointment of not having a father, you would think that I would be soulless. The dollar bill sign and the zero represent the generations of wealth passed down in my family.”
Lu Peez | G’d Up
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Rap.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “As a new voice coming out of California, Lu Peez has established himself as a torchbearer for the style of hip-hop pioneered by Bay Area greats. In Peez’s music, soulful samples and harmonious choruses are intertwined with edgy lyrics and a passionate delivery. Throughout his musical career, which started in 2010, Peez has been acknowledged by some of the industry greats. Over his four projects — one official album and three street records — Lu Peez has shown his dedication to his career. Going forward, he is determined to keep telling his story one song at a time. He says: “Whether you’re at the clubs, working out or driving in your car after work, my song G’d Up will give you that boost of energy. Now that things are opening back up around the world and people are starting to gather again, this will be THE song of the summer.”
Robyn Bennett | Fight Song
HOME BASE: France / United States.
GENRE: Jazz-R&B.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Robyn Bennett is an American singer, songwriter and producer based in Paris. She writes songs with her partner in life and work, the trombone player Ben van Hille. You can find Robyn and her band touring around Europe (and elsewhere), spreading their groovy, feel-good, retro-yet-modern music. Just try not to smile. Bennett spreads more good vibes and serious groove with her new single Fight Song, a high-energy, positive call-to-action anthem with a blend of funky guitars, urban drums, vintage keyboards and brassy riffs. Written during a transportation strike in Paris, the song takes on a whole new meaning during this global pandemic, where musicians around the world are fighting to keep their art alive. This song is for all the fighters out there: Whatever your battles may be, don’t give up.”
SovRin | Dungeon
HOME BASE: Germany.
GENRE: Dubstep.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Born and raised in Germany, young SovRin picked up the guitar at 16. In 2006 he discovered electronic music and in 2010 he found out about Savant and wanted to do something just like that. He has been making electronic music since 2018, always evolving to become more like the big ones.”
Daily Dose | Boss
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: EDM.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “L.A.-based producers ThatBoyLaurent & eMMber have teamed up to create the superduo Daily Dose. Las Vegas native ThatBoyLaurent has produced a variety of styles ranging from house, pop and funk. eMMber, originally from Chicago, has broken the genre barrier by having a stellar 2020 with a pair of house and future bass releases. The pair met in 2016, and have started amassing thousands of plays with their respective projects. The versatility of both producers helps them break through genres seamlessly and keeps their ideas fresh and ahead of the curve. Their debut single Boss is a high-octane tech-house heater that’s sure to get your booty bouncing. The tight groove and dirty baseline are sure to keep the dance floor shaking all night long.”
Diezeo | Torn (Remix)
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Elecronica.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Having mixed for any type of evening and style, Diezeo has performed for crowds up to 10,000 people. Determined to release his first official album, he started a collaboration in 2018 with HUMAN. Says Diezeo: “My modest single and remix of Torn (Natalie Imbruglia) is a mix of ambient, pop, electro and chill styles.”
Maky Joe | Marie
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Reggae.
THE TRANSLATED & EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Maky Joe spreads a message of tolerance, peace and love. Dodging false debates, he expresses his vision of the world and his life experiences with simplicity. A rrue showman, his boundless energy carries us along, with the common thread of reggae. After a first EP Makyzart, Maky Joe gives us a more personal title. Marie is a real ode to love, to the carefree encounter and to true sharing. It is in this positive energy of true love that the artist projects us between desire and respect, between real and imaginary. The woman is here placed on a pedestal and the eternal quest for love that we all know, finds a perfect echo in the words of the singer. Maky Joe is the new face of French reggae.”
