Cigar Club unleash a blast of winter, Posh would like you to meet anyone, Running Tree step up, Rivax chows down, Wave 21 ask the tough questions — and they’re just a few of the acts competing for your attention in today’s epic collection of cuts from Groover, a platform that connects artists with critics like me for a small fee. You can (and should) follow me on Spotify HERE, check out my Top 150 playlist HERE, or 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, go HERE. But first, make your way through today’s marathon setlist:
Cigar Club | Like White Flats In Winter
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Indie Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Like White Flats in Winter may be the most instrumentally dynamic track on Canadian band Cigar Club’s album Day, Now. Lead singer Trevor Coughlin starts off the sonic mysticism with the opening line “Walking off pavement into stars,” and the track slowly builds into a dark and foreboding jam reminiscent of QOTSA circa …Like Clockwork. The band say: “The album takes the listener through all ends of the music spectrum, from heavy hard rock to soft ambient soundscapes. We really aimed to display our dynamic ability in this record and I think we managed to pull it off.”
Posh | Mr. Anyone
HOME BASE: Italy.
GENRE: Indie Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Posh are an alternative rock band. Born in 2001 and active throughout the first decade of the millennium, they were selected as the Italian alt-rock band for the 2007 Midem Festival in Cannes. From 2010 to 2020, the band remained silent until 2021. Mr. Anyone is the first single from the album Port Out Starboard Home, coming in December.”
Running Tree | Fantômes
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Pop.
THE TRANSLATED & EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “We are three brothers from Lyon in France. We are pleased to present our song Fantômes, from our recent EP. We have previously written in English; Fantômes is our first song in French. It was inspired by Bashung’s La Nuit Je Mens. For Fantômes, we have chosen a different approach to the arrangements, leaving a lot of space for the voice.”
Rivax | J’Adore Manger
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Rap.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: Rivax lets his music do the talking.
Wave 21 | Why Does It Happen?
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Folk.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Wave 21 deliver melodic rock with timeless riffs, lavish harmonies, and lyrics that read like short stories on life, love, and rock ’n’ roll. Based in Montreal, Canada, the band is fronted by Mary-Lynn Doroschuk. Her father, Stefan Doroschuk of Men Without Hats, joined the band in 2020. Wave 21 made the most of their time recently in confinement by recording their second album Brace Yourself, which features guest appearances by Sam Roberts and Steve Hill. Why Does It Happen? is about how our planet is constantly faced with destruction and pollution on a daily basis. The song asks us to collectively change our ways to respect our surroundings and the sacred land that we all share.”
Excelsior | Midas Touch
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Indie-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Coming straight from Corsica, Arnaud Castelli presents his new alt-pop project Excelsior. Midas Touch is a chill tune with a catchy chorus that brings us memories from summer, with a touch of psychedelism on the backing vocals and keyboards.”
Elnegrojoan | Pegaitos (ft. Ivy Boy)
HOME BASE: Chile.
GENRE: Latin-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Elnegrojoan is a Colombian-Chilean artist who seeks to mix urban and pop sounds, with catchy queer lyrics. Pegaitos is the first single from Elnegrojoan’s new EP, created in collaboration with Ivy Boy, a pop artist from southern Chile. Energetic and sexy, the song is intended to be played at the club or at parties.”
Les Frères Dubz | Errance
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Gypsy-Folk.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Les Frères Dubz are two curious characters in love with Balkan musique. Over the last three years, they have played more tha 100 concerts and sold more than 1,000 copies of their first EP Tsalaïka. They say: “We come out of this period of forced cessation with even more desire than ever.”
Colm McIntyre | Weak Old Town
HOME BASE: United Kingdom.
GENRE: Ska.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Irish singer-songwriter Colm McIntyre here. I wanted to blend my love of ska, reggae and rock with a message of hope for my latest single Weak Old Town.”
Les BriSKArds | Billie The Kid
HOME BASE: Switzerland.
GENRE: IndieRock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Inspired by the desire to create an original musical project, the Swiss band Les BriSKArds formed in 2013, inspired by ska-punk and rock. At the beginning of 2019, they released their first EP First Time. 2021 marks a new era for the band, with the creation of their first album Smile Again. Laced with rock influences, sprinkled with ska, punk and pop, our 10 new tracks tell very distinct stories, evolving in a common musical universe. Billie The Kid takes you to the American West where Billie reigns, a woman who finds better ways to settle conflicts than violence.”
Kennedy One | Solstice
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Electronica.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Kennedy One is a multi-instrumentalist and producer who creates cinematic electronic music. As a ghostwriter, his music has played all over the world. His debut album Metropolis was released June 5. Offering a journey of introspection, the album tackles the challenges of leaving the past behind in search of something new, a path that is often taken alone. Solstice is an instrumental prog house track, with a driving and hypnotic pulse. It’s an ode to the classic Global Underground mixes that influence my music. It was mixed by Hannes Bieger.”
Oversense | Love
HOME BASE: Germany.
GENRE: Metal.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Oversense hold up a distorted mirror image to the world with their album Egomania, coming Sept. 17. In the dramatic Love, the third single, Oversense illustrate a family history that has gone out of control, and from which psychopaths are born. The video depicts the traumatic transformation of their protagonist Mr. Mackie into a psychopathic serial killer. Haunting pianos contribute to the dark instrumental atmosphere, perfectly matching young Mackie’s desperate search for love and affection. Meet Mr. Mackie’s ‘lovely’ family and his first victim now!”
Nicolas Haas | Au Milieu De L’Extérieur
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Synth-Rock.
THE TRANSLATED & EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “In this third and final part of a triptych started in 2017, I plunged into metaphysical questions and rectangular mystical reflections. It is a question of light, of travel, of what is hidden in ephemeral happiness. The guitars of my friend Matthieu Imberty, supple and refined, navigate in the middle of electronic rhythms and old synths. The title, which translates to In The Middle Of The Outside, sums up this record.”
Løuna Astier | Sœurette
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Pop.
THE TRANSLATED & EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Løuna Astier, 20 years old, is an artist, songwriter and singer from Mouans-Sartoux. Despite her young age, she knows how to captivate her audience with her enthusiasm and talent. Her tone of voice leads us to the emotions and the importance of the lyrics in her compositions. Sœurette (Sister) appeared on my first album. I’m currently working on the second one. I write my own lyrics in French and English.”
Lakunée | Sourire
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Pop.
THE TRANSLATED & EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I used to play the violin when I was young. When playing the piano, I often let my voice tell me imaginary stories. Two years ago, I went to a recording studio. I have co-written, composed, pre-arranged, and performed several songs. This time, I offer you Sourire (Smile). Sometimes melancholy wins us over. This song is meant to be a moment of sharing in a cheerful and dynamic atmosphere that brings a smile.”
Kokujin | Oh Bella
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Latin Pop.
THE TRANSLATED & EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Here is my track Oh Bella. I’m trying to gain visibility. I hope that pleases you.”
Bob Rocket | Kepler One (Instrumental)
HOME BASE: Italy.
GENRE: Ambient Electronica.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Bob Rocket is a music producer. Since he began composing, he has always liked the idea of discovering which kind of music could exist out there in the cosmic vastness, and with this project he decided to find an answer, creating audio environments that make listeners dive infinitely deep inside and infinitely far in space and time. His dream is to surpass the limits of a mere genre, allowing the listeners to entwine their own experience with the musical flow and their introspective explorations. Air, Antonin Dvorak, Jimi Hendrix, Jerry Goldsmith, Nils Frahm are tutelary spirits of the compositive process escorting Bob Rocket in his cosmic travel to the borders of imagination, science and emotions. Kepler One is a song that comes directly from the space probe. In search of distant exoplanets this song creates imaginary worlds yet to be discovered. Big synth and texture pads create the right atmosphere to dive into the stars.”
Morris Northcutt | Lightning Rod
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Neo-Classical.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Morris’ playing has been described as artistic, lyrical and expressive, with impressive technique carried by his beautiful, smooth, and rich tone. On a thrilling South American interpretation of a North American classic, the trumpet virtuoso has teamed up with an all-star cast of Venezuelan musicians to inject new life into Jerry Reed’s timeless western melody. These top-notch artists have come together to remind us that no matter where we come from, the euphoria of a brilliant melody is universal. This is part of Morris’s most recent project, the album Tonada, a trans-continental exploration of the unifying power of music.”
Luis Paul | A Magical Journey
HOME BASE: Germany
GENRE: Neo-Classical.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Every person has his or her own stories — and all too often they could just as easily come from a movie. The only thing missing is the music. Ludwig Paul Karsch aka Luis Paul wants to capture exactly such moments, stories and associated feelings with his compositions and give them what they deserve in retrospect. With a lot of love, the studied music producer and composer creates touching sound worlds that can be classified somewhere between well-known film scores by John Williams, Hans Zimmer and the more reduced soulful songs by Ludovico Einaudi or Yann Tiersen. This song takes you on a magical journey through the power and beauty of nature. He says: “While writing it I imagined beautiful landscapes, the wildlife and a wonderful sunrise in the early morning. As the song progresses, it becomes more dense and intense with percussion and strings.”
Couanos | Just A Mother Fucker
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Hard Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Couanos is a multi-style artist. In 2013, he created the music group M.F. Crew. In 2015, they released the EP Last Beer, followed by First Ride in 2017 and Stay Grooues in 2020. This year, he plays himself in the short film Notre Pere by Sabine Iwaszko, starring alongside Megan Northam, Sébastien Kheroufi, Sidi Mejai and Didier Bourdon.”
Your Evil Boyfriend | Rampage (ft. Brunetti)
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: EDM.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Dance music producer Your Evil Boyfriend blends jaded super-saws with distorted pianos and big sound system drums. Born in Peru but heavily marinated by his maple syrup passport, he started his musical journey while being stuck in the silver mines of the Sonora Desert. Speaking about his unique handle, he says: “I didn’t come up with my artist name; a girl gave it to me. I’ve come to embrace the good in my dark side so that’s translated in my music.”
Hatim | Fall
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: R&B / Soul.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Vancouver’s Sudanese/Canadian R&B/soul artist Hatim is dropping the perfect collection of songs to encapsulate an event almost every human has experienced — a summer fling. The Summer Fling EP is inspired by a real-life relationship of Hatim’s and is upbeat, bright, and funky as hell. The five-song EP is relatable, following the trials and tribulations one faces when beginning a relationship and accepting its ultimate demise. The lead single Fall, with its indie-funk guitar lines and bass, is an R&B epic about the pitfalls of a budding relationship. Parts of the instrumentation lay deeply into the ’70s cosmic funk brought by groups like Parliament or Hot Chocolate. This one will definitely have you grooving in your seat or on the dance floor. He says: “My goal with the music was to serve the story, create a sound that played to my strengths, and contrast the generally unhappy story with a bright, summery vibe that turned that sadness into a beautiful musical celebration.”
Ficmaro | Body Beg
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Electronica.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Ficmaro’s music is configured on a kind of dismantled and seemingly emotional dance floor of colour and calidity. The Montreal producer makes his official debut in 2021. “This is really only the beginning. I know what stories I want to tell. I know where I want to be. I have a mixture of house, techno, and Italo-disco influences in my music. And there is something spiritual, even philosophical to each of my tracks. It’s a pendulum of moods, just like me. That’s what it symbolizes for me.” Body Beg mixes classic house, tech-house, and techno into a sexy track for late-night playlists and/or clubs. This song is about looking your best.”
Ray Isaac | 1 Seven
HOME BASE: Australia.
GENRE: Dance-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Ray Isaac is a singer and DJ from Australia. He returns with the catchy piano-house anthem 1 Seven. It reminds us to take one night out of seven to be free and just dance!”
Perla Nalu | Twilight Sleep
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Dream-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “A wordsmith and a creatrix, Perla Nalu tells her bold story in an upcoming non-fiction book, and through singles which function as a soundtrack. Some tracks are narratives, some snapshot scenes from the book, and some just evocatively capture the emotions of the saga. The songs are a portal into a private world, brimming with themes of sexual liberation, betrayal, ill-fated romance and a maddening clash between conservative cultural perspectives and fiery desire. For each track, Perla chose the vocal artist that most resonated with the protagonist at key moments in the story. It’s a unique collaborative construct where three female vocalists help create a cohesive collection of songs. The soundtrack is influenced by pop, soft rock, and indie pop, layered with cinematic & orchestral elements. The first single is Twilight Sleep”, a hauntingly beautiful lullaby swirling with dreamy synthesizer textures, meditative acoustic guitar melodic patterns, and vocals that are sensually emotive. The music’s ethereal quality is a powerful counterpoint to the raw feelings of the lyrics.”
Marisol La Brava & A Flor de Piel | Quincenera
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Latin Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “How do you plan a Quinceañera (traditional Latin American 15th birthday celebration) during a pandemic? Chicago family band Marisol La Brava & A Flor de Piel were inspired by the online exhibit Girlhood: It’s Complicated to celebrate their daughter’s 15th birthday by recording the EP Girlhood, It’s Complicado. Facing the challenges of throwing a typical traditional Mexican celebration to honor this transition to womanhood, they decided to produce an EP that highlights different experiences of girlhood in a Mexican American family instead. Inspired by the moments in her daughter’s girlhood as well as her own, Marisol and Sofia attempt to define where girlhood ends and womanhood begins. The songs weave a retelling of narratives in a modern context, combining traditional instruments such as the jarana (8-10-string guitar from Veracruz), vihuela (a 5-string small guitar used in mariachi music), and the “quijada de burro” (donkey jawbone), a traditional percussion instrument used in Africa and Latin America.”
Bones In Butter | So Alone
HOME BASE: Serbia.
GENRE: Indie-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Bones in Butter are a Serbian act led by Milutin Krašević with a revolving cast of players from all around the Belgrade indie music scene. Milutin pours himself into his art the way few can, so when you absorb his music you know that it has been polished to a fine degree. But the music also comes fitted with the message to take the experience to a different level altogether. So Alone is a sad story about a ruler who’s lost all his power and is about to fade into oblivion.”
Bullpup | Thoughts & Prayers
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Emo.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Theatical emo outfit Bullpup are never ones to repeat themselves, and their new release Thoughts And Prayers is a fresh addition to their catalogue. The song takes an introspective look at a dying planet both politically and ecologically, drawing parallels between the two issues all the while attempting to invoke action and deter apathy. Like the rest of Bullpup’s upcoming album, the song was written with all of Bullpup sheltered in place at their homes, passing demos back and forth through online calls. Soon after pre-production, the band quarantined in the studio with producer Michael Abiuso. The band and production team pulled together to make something truly special.”
The Curse of K.K. Hammond | The Ballad of Lampshade Ed
HOME BASE: United Kingdom.
GENRE: Blues.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “K.K. Hammond is a slide guitarist and singer-songwriter living in the U.K. She takes her influence from the Delta blues players of the 1930s, the roots music of Appalachia and its ancestors.”
Davide Perico | Sad Night
HOME BASE: Italy.
GENRE: Lofi.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Since the age of four, I have been thinking about only one thing: Music. I make music for movies and video games, and take care of the entire creative process from composition to mastering. I like to be master of my music and sound. Cinema and video games force me to fast-paced, so I found refuge in lofi music and in its wonderful collaborative community. If on a difficult night you need a jazzy trumpet, and super smooth sound, then this is the right song for you.”
Todor O | Behemoth
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Synth-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Behemoth, the latest track from electronic-experimental artist Todor O, sounds like the proverb of a demented priest in a dingy lit gothic disco club. The track truly sounds like it is slowly decaying into nothing but a blip in time — yet you can dance to it (although it’s recommended you do so in the dark). Behemoth is the second track on Todor O’s upcoming Regenesis LP, a concept album following the structure of the German Künstlerroman, or artist’s novel. “It tells the story of an artist’s struggle to elevate himself to the status of true creator by wading through his insecurities and anxieties about his own work,” Todor O says. “In Behemoth, the narrator stares down a work of art so enormous that he could not aspire to it, but will attempt to anyway, despite the harm it may cause to him.” The track is a bit gothic rock, experimental electronica, and post-punk and requires multiple listens to truly capture and realize each sound. “Behemoth, for me, is a perfect first chapter and introduction to the album for new listeners,” Todor O says. “It was a difficult piece to write as it gets pretty personal and bleak, but I hope people can connect to it.”
Philomena | Wildfires
HOME BASE: Germany.
GENRE: Soul / R&B.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I’m Philomena, a 21-year-old singer-producer from Munich. Wildfires is my self-made debut single.”
OneHeadApart | Psycho
HOME BASE: Germany.
GENRE: EDM.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “OneHeadApart is a german DJ and production duo consisting of Joël Körner and Tim Balbach. After releasing a track in 2019 with the voice of Nico Santos, their musical identity is starting to shape. During the lockdown they sat down and produced a lot of tracks that will now be released in a frequent schedule. They say: “Psycho had a really long production process, because we weren’t quite satisfied. We made it in the studio and tried to get some futuristic sounds inside. The track is energetic and motivating even though the message is quite sad: the love story of a confused girl.”
Clide | Curve Me
HOME BASE: Germany.
GENRE: Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Clide grew up in a flat in Berlin. His parents worked as classical musicians, so it’s no surprise that he learned to play piano at an early age. At 16 he started off fiddling around with a computer, a microphone and a piano, and hasn’t stopped since. Lo-fi pop is a big source of inspiration. Although still pretty young, he knows exactly what adjectives he wants his music to be associated with: Authentic, innovative and raw. He wants to talk about things that move him and are close to his heart. Of course, love is one of those things but so are questions around his own identity, the search for truth, dreams and interpersonal relationships. The collaboration Fake Love combines U.S. production duo Young Saab’s modern alt-pop approach and Clide’s soft yet remarkably intense vocals. The song deals with the little fights in a romantic relationship, the ups and downs, and the question of what we have is real?”
Jibi | Sweet
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Disco.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Wanting to fully start my artist journey, I send my music to you so that as many people as possible can discover my universe.”
Jnatra | Slow Motion
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Electronica.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “This was the first track I created as Jnatra. I turned my extra bedroom into a studio, learned modular synthesis, and started recording while stay-at-home orders were in effect.”
Letchi | Goldrush
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Folk.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Montreal’s Letchi — aka singer-songwriter Nick Trode — has been hard at work the last four years, creating and sharing his musical projects. Born out of the desire to shake loose an older sound, his new EP The Static aims to be his most ambitious work to date. 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 eagerness to grow. Goldrush is the EP’s fourth single. It’s accompanied by melodic strings and acoustic guitar mixed with honest vocals and ambient synth. This song addresses a longing to move away from our destructive paths and the fear that we might not be able to.”
Calista Garcia | My Love, My Love, My Love
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Folk-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “My Love, My Love, My Love is the first single off of my upcoming EP A Beautiful World, to be released Oct. 8. I’m trying to put some love and light back into the world.”
Adam Mah | Manic Pixie Dream Girl
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Indie-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Adam Mah is no stranger to creating evocative music. An artist, producer, and composer in Western Canada, Adam’s music often examines the notion of perspective through captivating vocals, synthesizers bathed in reverb, and introspective lyrics. His debut EP The Cloud (2020) features production from Shane Stephenson as well as synth-rock heavy hitter Jordan Lawlor. Manic Pixie Dream Girl takes a closer look at the problematic trope of women in film being depicted as beings with the sole purpose of fulfilling a male character’s needs. Abandoning the electronic feel from previous works and returning to indie-rock roots, Mah pokes fun at the male gaze through satirical lyrics and an explosive chorus.”
Ko’Fyn | 6am + Long Time
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Rap.
THE TRANSLATED & EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I am a singer and rapper based in Montreal. 6am” is the first track of my first EP K.O.F.Y.N., which contains five great songs.”
Emmrose | Ragdoll
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Emmrose is a 17-year-old songwriter whose career began three years ago when she wrote her first single in her Grade 8 math class. She is currently working on her second EP, which will be released in the fall of 2021. Emmrose hits the listener right in the heart with the empowering anthem Ragdoll, her second release co-written and produced by Richard Orofino. Unlike most Emmrose singles, which are soft and dream-like, this piece hits hard, puts an abusive man in his place, and is an epic ‘stand up for yourself’ anthem. Opening with a simple melodic tune that sounds like it is played on a wind-up toy, the listener is captivated by Emmrose’s sweet signature vocals, only to be swept into the explosive chorus and powerful ending.”
https://soundcloud.com/user-832758212/ragdoll/s-TXNQQwIPYLg
MOA Electronic Poetry | Bumping 2021
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Electronica.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “MOA Electronic Poetry’s Daniel Sebih is a French artist. “Writing poetry was already usual for me, so I’ve tried to accompagned my engaged words and my feelings with melancolic and angry rhythmics. This personal electronic experiment was made to be played and shared at a public festival. I really need to dance and smile with people”
Andrea | Choose My Way
HOME BASE: Macedonia.
GENRE: Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Andrea is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Macedonia. In addition to multiple television appearances in her native Macedonia, Andrea has appeared on Albania’s popular Zone e Lire. Choose My Way is the upcoming release from Macedonia’s leading independent pop songstress. It is a gritty electropop ballad telling the story of a rebellious teenager finding her way.”
