Thunderclap! gets his wish, Tony Rust and The Mudhorses spring to life, Magon embraces eternity, Queency runs out of time 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) 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 take a spin through today’s epic playlist:
Thunderclap! | It’s Just What I Wanted
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Indie-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Thunderclap! is a self-taught singer-songwriter with over 30 years of experience. He has been writing songs since he was 13, and has been masterminding all different kinds of rock ’n’ roll and folk outfits since he was 14. Originally from the Niagara region, he has expanded into an international performing artist playing in Lyon, Paris, Berlin, London, and elsewhere across Europe and North America. A one-man band, he possesses the bravery needed to take the stage alone, heightening his vulnerability as a performer, which helps him to create a deeper emotional rapport with the audience. Thunderclap! prides himself on the diverse subject matter that he explores with his lyrical content. He says: “Here’s my strange take on a Christmas song! It’s an all-original song with a frenetic energy that tries to capture the excitement and chaos of kids ripping open presents on Christmas day. It’s a fast-paced, surreal and experimental rock song with pop elements. I’ve also made an equally odd, high-production value music video to go alongside it.”
Tony Rust and The Mudhorses | Alive
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Indie-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Tony Rust started playing music as a teenager and assembled his first band in 2007 at the age of 16. After 10 years of recordings, shows and tours, Tony was selected for the TV show La Voix in 2017. In early 2020, he started Tony Rust & The Mudhorses. The band features Anthony Monderie Larouche (Tony Rust) on vocals and guitars, Christian Marquis (bass), Gabriel Corriveau (lead guitar) and Nicko Fourey (drums). Inspired by the ’70s rock of Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen, along with the ’60s folk of Neil Young and The Byrds, The Mudhorses shoud satisfy nostalgics and new seekers.”
Magon | Forever
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Indie-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Paris-based Israeli psych-rock singer, songwriter and producer Magon just released his beautiful third album In The Blue. Now he unveils the video for Forever: A beautiful single and visual confirming that he is one of a kind.”
Queency | Too Late
HOME BASE: Australia.
GENRE: R&B / Soul.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Queency is a Perth singer-songwriter originally from Reunion Island. Testaments to his tropical roots and infectious passion, Queency’s compositions and live performances can be sweet or sour, deep or light, soft or energetic. All share the same commonality though: They come from the soul and speak to the soul, generating a range of emotions within anyone listening with their heart. Queency is also known as Quentin Thony — the frontman of Soukouss Internationale whose vocal abilities and natural talent for stage performance have highly contributed to setting many Perth gigs on fire over the last few years. Too Late is a classic soul track, with shallow friendships and two-faced characters at the centre of its story. True to Queency’s style, Too Late is catchy, fun-spirited, sassy and a great deal of flamboyant.”
Mcclendon | Versailles
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Folk-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Mcclendon plunges into the indie scene with a fresh perspective while making new use of traditional techniques. With a sound reminiscent of the past, he transforms the way music complements words and messages. Growing up in Oklahoma allowed him to flourish through acoustic, country, and folk music. Writing and producing his own music has always been top priority for this independent artist. He’s drawn to write honest thoughts about concepts he personally connects with. Self-producing simply came as a need for survival as a creator. This scrappy nature allows him to take risks that would otherwise be overlooked. This young creative pulls inspiration from conversations with himself. “I just want to create what feels honest,” he says. “Something that isn’t afraid of the moment.”
Peter Rhodes | IDGAF
HOME BASE: Portugal.
GENRE: Dance-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “My debut single IDGAF is already being played on some Portuguese radio stations. This new project was the culmination of more than a year of work with some of the biggest names in music, including WiiDope (a trio of Grammy-winning producers who have already worked with artists such as Nicole Scherzinger of The Pussycat Dolls). This project is about empowerment, fighting depression and being human.”
Class Vee | Where Do We Stand
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: R&B / Soul.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Many have mentioned this song has a resemblance to The Weeknd. Others have called it radio friendly.”
PNQT | Megateuf Sunrise Mix
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Synth-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “We are a French band who make feel-good electro-pop. Here is our new song. It’s an anthem to party called Mégateuf (French for MégaParty, which is kind of ironic in those troubled Times — France just decided to close nightclubs as I’m writing this. It comes with a home-made video that is slightly twisted and fun.”
Lorensa | Strangers Instead
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: R&B / Soul.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Lorensa is an Israeli-born, Los Angeles-based musician with an angelic voice. She delivers powerfully authentic messages through her unique brand of artistry. Her 2016 emigration to America served as a powerful catalyst for channeling her passion and fulfilling her destiny. After releasing four singles in 2020, Lorensa is putting the finishing touches on her R&B-infused debut EP. “This song is very important to me,” she says. “I wrote it after a very hard breakup.”
https://youtu.be/zbqLe0wqlyY
Myyora | Forever Chasing
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: R&B / Soul.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Born in London with roots in France, The Congo and England, Myyora is full of quiet contradictions. Music has forever been the essence of her life. A songstress of the soul, Myyora blends the different musical aspects of her mixed heritage and travel experiences, creating both poetic, nature-inspired music and reverberating dance numbers, subtly traversing genres. Her calm exterior hides many deep passions. She is driven by a desire to improve the world around her. Her songs work on multiple levels, with easy, lilting rythmes that work their way into the consciousness but are never quite as simple as they seem. This young singer is a voice for the here and now, but it echoes all that has come before.”
Ikkem | Hellboy
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Rap.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Ikkem, a 22-year-old rapper originally from Casablanca, is now based in Montreal. His music finds a balance between dark pop-rap and more technical, flowing fare. With well-written lyrics, he tells his stories, particularly his disappointments in love. He has four EPs available and a project due in January. Through his rap-influenced urban neo-pop single Hellboy, he brings the listener into his musical world where beauty lies in the violence of his feelings. The theme of hell is not here to represent hatred or anger, but a place of violence where it reigns. But once it has gone through an artistic process, violence gives birth to grace and beauty. This is the goal of his clip. The scenes of fights, the balaclavas and the dark colors are the representation of this violence. In the contrast between the calm ballet choreography and the aggressive ambiance of the clip, Hellboy is born.”
Begneto Jack | Sales Idées
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Rap.
THE TRANSLATED & EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “With a perfectly controlled slow tempo, Begneto Jack develops a unique presence in his music. Its warm and bewitching style draws listeners into a world of almost-spiritual sounds. In this dark world, the artist tells about himself in his sufferings and setbacks, following the languor imposed by the rhythm of the accompanying instrumental. He released his first solo project IVRS in 2019.”
Toxi Faktory | The Bounds Below
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Hard Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Toxi Faktory play energic metal, mixing prog, electro-industrial and punk influences in a dystopian universe. The Bounds Below is “an appendix, an epilogue to our last album The Tower Below,” they say. “Here, the Red King becomes Niko again, the Great Archivist becomes Floguit again, the musicians step out of their characters to become narrators of the story they embodied on the album. There was no better context to bring Chouchou l’Amoureuse into the dance.”
Tiphanie Doucet | It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Folk-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Tiphanie Doucet was a child actress on French TV and started recording music after she moved to the U.S.A. with a scholarship in acting and musical theater. She started playing on the street of New Jersey, and recorded a first album in 2018 produced by Simone Felice and David Baron (Lumineers, Jade Bird). Now back in France, she has self-produced a new EP ready to release in 2022. This Lenny Kravitz cover was recorded by David Baron, who was responsible for piano, keyboards, synthesizers and orchestral production on Lenny’s record Raise Vibration.”
Escape Ring | Winning The War
HOME BASE: Australia.
GENRE: Pop-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Hailing from Melbourne, Escape Ring write songs that sound like a continuation of classic rock, but with the sonics of today. Their music has been heard on NBC’s The Biggest Loser. Winning The War was written by main songwriter Darren Moss. It chronicles the struggle we all have from time to time conquering the voices in our own heads holding us back from whatever it is we secretly know we should be doing. Some say the song sounds like Beach Boys harmonies over a Weezer track.”
ZenToy | Butterfly
HOME BASE: Belgium.
GENRE: Synth-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “ZenToy is a composer, producer and DJ in Brussels. He will release his second album in 2022, following a more organic creative process. The biggest change: He has begun working with a singer, which gives a whole new dimension to the project! Butterfly is their first collaboration.”
Le Barouf de la Discorde | Là-Haut + Une Destination
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Orch-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “In a passionate flood, the 10 strings of the cello and the guitar invite you to travel with Le Barouf de la Discorde. Anaëlle Vorc’h is a cellist who improvises, composes and sings, performing a varied repertoire that includes tango, scholarly music, film music arrangements and traditional music. Jean Causse is a guitarist and singer-songwriter. His slams and songs give free rein to the imagination and allow for many interpretations. He also plays the ukulele, the piano and the accordion.”
Jean-Pascal Boffo | Childhood Dream
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Prog.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Jean-Pascal Boffo is a French musician, guitarist and composer. He has been a sound engineer at Studio Amper since 1990, producing, music directing, engineering, mixing and mastering more than 300 records. After playing in progressive rock bands such as Larsen, Mandragore, Troll, he has released 11 solo albums since 1986. Childhood Dream is the second single from his next album, due in spring. The song is an invitation to daydream of childhood memories and let yourself be carried away by the mysterious sound of Boffo’s guitar, which places him as the closest French heir to Mike Oldfield.”
Stiles Brisson | TMTA
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Indie-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Stiles Brisson is a young Canadian singer-songwriter living in France. His latest single TMTA was released just a few weeks ago, and heralds an upcoming album that will open a new page in his artistic life. Navigating through different musical genres with influences from Rex Orange County to Shawn Mendes, he demonstrates his diverse style. Stiles is an artist with a unique character who will bring you a real breath of fresh air.”
Healing Harm | Villains of W.W.III
HOME BASE: Mexico.
GENRE: Heavy Metal.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Healing Harm are a band from Mexico City that look up to the Scandinavian metal movement, especially the Gothenburg Sound. In order to fulfil their dream, they traveled to Sweden in 2018 and recorded at the legendary Studio Fredman alongside the maestro Fredrik Nordström. They released the album Shapes of Alienation in November. The single Villains of W.W. III, is about governments who will do anything for power, including murder. It also talks about the apathy and disinterest of those who are not involved in these conflicts.”
Thousand Thoughts | Fail Me
HOME BASE: United Kingdom.
GENRE: Pop-Metal.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Hailing from London, Thousand Thoughts have developed a ferocious sound which takes on elements of nü-metal and alt-rock, interwoven with themes of tragedy and loss. It’s easy for such a young band to get caught up in the pursuit of fame, but despite the sudden onslaught of attention, Thousand Thoughts have remained faithful to their roots. No strangers to the cruelty of mental illness, the band are passionate advocates of mental health awareness. Lead singer Ethan Smith comments “I strongly believe the majority of the world has an extreme dismissal of empathy. We’re all too opinionated and unwilling to listen to anybody else. The amount of nasty behaviour on social media is disgusting; people seem to thrive on being unkind to others — disrespecting skin colour, religion, politics, sexual orientation, music taste … the list never ends. We all use the Internet and share posts about being there for others regarding mental health — but it always takes the death of someone famous or young before that happens. This is where I’d say Thousand Thoughts truly begins.”
Foco de Atelier | Aire
HOME BASE: Mexico.
GENRE: Pop-Punk.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Foco de Atelier deliver high-energy, romantic pop-punk with synthetizers and heavy rock. Aire features Beno Genitallica, the frontman of famous Mexican punk band Genitallica.”
Pop Trash Inc. | I Don’t Wanna Be Here
HOME BASE: Netherlands.
GENRE: Synth-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Best described as the dirty love child of Garbage, Daft Punk and Darth Vader, Pop Trash Inc. are a dynamic four-piece who have been forging a unique path through the music scene with their striking sci-fi looks and trashy, guitar-infused synth-pop. Hailing from The Netherlands, this mysterious band write, produce and record their own music, backing it with original artwork and visuals to create an uncompromising assault on the senses. Their latest single I Don’t Wanna Be Here is an energetic and upbeat pop song.”
Tempoh Slow | Villains In Love (ft. Luna Aura)
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: R&B / Soul.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “L.A. duo Tempoh Slow face their loneliness head-on in their new single Villains In Love, featuring Luna Aura. Villains In Love comes from the band’s forthcoming EP Punxx Noir, due on March 25. “This song is about being anxious — just living with your thoughts,” the band share. “Yes, it’s a love-ish song but it’s more about a battle with self and the realization that maybe sticking something out isn’t always the right choice. I think that the fear of loneliness is very powerful and scary.” Luna Aura adds: “To me this is a song that really captures the feeling of loneliness and unrequited love. The back and forth that goes on in your mind when you deeply miss somebody that you also resent.”
Chancy Squire | Christmas Star
HOME BASE: Germany.
GENRE: Folk-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Chancy Squire formed in 1980. They played major clubs around Hamburg with overwhelming success. Now, they have reunited after a long break, bringing their amazing songs back to life with the help of friends who made this album possible. Their hopeful song Christmas Star was the anticipation of the birth of a child: “When I found out that my daughter Stella was going to be born on Dec. 24, I sat down full of happiness and tried to write a Christmas song. It was supposed to be a song full of gratitude for the good things most of us experience every day,” explains singer-songwriter Klaus Rieger. December is a time full of hope for all of us. Hope for a better, fairer world, in which we learn to share again, get involved, respect each other, support each other and help the poor and needy — not only at Christmas time.”
Red Skies Mourning | Deep Moonlight
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Ethereal, melodic and boasting a singalong chorus, Deep Moonlight basks in an electronically infused playground defined by saccharine synths, syncopated drums and enchanting vocals. This latest endeavor steps away from Red Skies Mourning’s previous grunge sound. This push was no accident, but a conscious decision to blend the iconic music of Zelda with modern alternative pop. This vision was helped in its execution by an all-star production and mixing team comprised of Cesar Da Emperor, Chris Aleshire, Ryan Curtis and Jeff Kanan. “As we start to fine-tune and modernize the sound, we settled on the idea for the concept of the song to blend The Legend of Zelda with a Weeknd/Post Malone vibe of music that’s still intertwined with alt-pop and alt-rock.”
Fleabustiers | Fly Away
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Jazz-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Fleabustiers are a collective born out of the pandemic, comprising musicians who found themselves unable to rehearse, record and perform to a live audience. As they became suspended in time, these musicians realised that they could do away with the rules, hole themselves up in a secret cove and bathe in musical indulgence. Fleabustiers’ mission is to surprise you into loving music that you never thought you would enjoy. Fleabustiers are musically multi-dimensional.”
M’Roy | Allo
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Rap.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Here is a new song to discover.”
Jam Khalil | Protagoniste (Main Theme)
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Rap.
THE TRANSLATED & EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Jamil Assoum — aka Jam Khalil, formerly known as J.A.M. — is a 23-year-old Montreal rapper of Lebanese origin. He has slowly but surely built himself a solid catalog and is determined to have a significant impact on the cit’s scene. He says: “This song is a test of a new tone and new voices for me … Although my album will have versatile and very different tones, this single is a way of setting up the determined tone and fierce attitude that I will keep for my career all year 2022 and more.”
Fabrizio Roperti | Aspettando La Pioggia
HOME BASE: Italy.
GENRE: Pop-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I’m a nostalgic for the music of a little while ago — classic rock, classic Italian pop — and I try to remember it in my creations (though I also like to add a splash of blues). Despite almost 30 years of live and studio experience for others, I have not yet released a project entirely on my own.”
Madda Brike | Dubsday
HOME BASE: Germany.
GENRE: Electronica.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “This track is a mix of several genres — it contains dub, hip-hop, electronic and bass music. It has a good vibe and big basslines.”
Malvill | Tout Et Son Contraire
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Four new songs are coming in the next months. An LP is in preparation.”
Jah Freedom | Peasantry
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Rap.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Peasantry is a collaboration between producer Jah Freedom (Bad Seed, Sean Price, Skyzoo) and vocalists Finian St. Omer (formerly Chaundon of NC Justus League) and veteran rapper Kil Ripkin. Laid back vibes with hard bars — be the king and queen you are meant to be … no Peasantry!”
Mystic Firm / Max Livio | Enfants du Verseau
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Reggae.
THE TRANSLATED & EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Mystic Firm are a French reggae collective of six musicians: Julien Fontana (vocal & guitar), K ‘tee (backing vocals), Mathieu Baty (keyboards), Emeric Bedu (bass), Ludovic Colleu (drums) and Jean-Marc Sabathier (percussions). Max Livio is a professional singer. Since 2010, he has released four albums, and he performs regularly on stage. A lover of the French language, this singer-songwriter likes to use words to arouse emotion and convey a message.”
Ravie | Wear These Scars
HOME BASE: Australia.
GENRE: Pop-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Ravie is a veteran in the entertainment business and has wowed crowds in Malaysia, Asia and Australia. He has made singing his profession since 1993. He has an extensive repertoire of music and can sing in three languages, English, Malay/Indonesian and Tamil. He was the founder of the band Roadhouse and One Planet. In 2020, he began to focus on his solo career and released the album Never Too Late. Ravie is a dynamic entertainer and his smooth vocals captivate any audience.”
J. Adams | What Kind Of Man
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: R&B / Soul.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Singer-songwriter and producer J. Adams hails from historic Selma, Alabama. Currently he works out of a home studio called Evan’s Room, in Prattville, where he resides. His musical ability in production, singing, songwriting, and engineering are all self-taught from videos, practical application, forums, and trial and error, focusing on topics of relationships and the trials of self-realization. His recording career started in 2009, in a friend’s small home studio. In 2020, he released two EPs, Behind Closed Doors and Mood AF. He is heavily influenced by southern trap music in his production, and genres such as jazz and neo-soul in his chord structure. He likes to refer to himself as a genre-less artist, due to his multiple approaches to making music.”
Kiernan McMullan | Cliché
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Folk-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “This song is meant to take the inevitable clichés that you hear after a breakup and turn them on their head, showing that they are more the exception than the rule. This song was released on November 19.”
Chris Wenner | Both Of Us
HOME BASE: Germany.
GENRE: Folk-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Chris Wenner is a German singer-songwriter and musician. His artistic style is characterized by his authentic style, which combines his distinctive voice — often layered in vocal harmonies — with warm acoustic guitars and fresh musical ideas inspired by the likes of Crosby, Stills & Nash, Paul McCartney, James Taylor and Paul Simon. In 2020, at age 64, Wenner released his debut album New Born Man. In 2021, he released a further 10 songs, produced by the Portuguese multi-instrumentalist Guido Craveiro. In soft and gentle tones and accompanied by light guitar sounds, Both Of Us recounts the ups and downs of the coexistence of two lovers. Not a feeling of blame, but rather the oppressive sense of parting in dissonance is in focus. In every line, the listener can feel the uniqueness of Wenner’s music: He is all about love and closeness in everyday life — and all the adventures and challenges that have to be mastered as a part of it.”
Rehan Dalal | Caramel On Porcelain
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: R&B / Soul.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “This is an R&B slow jam that is currently gaining steam on Spotify’s Mood Ring editorial playlist.”
Aspen Blu | Someday (ft. Matthew May)
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Be prepared to be blown away by young R&B crooner Aspen Blu. Born Dedrick Johnson in Houston, the 28-year-old artist has set out to make his mark with music that makes you feel something, music that has a message and music that makes you really move. Aspen Blu considers his style a blend of R&B, pop and jazz. Growing up in a strict religious household, he drew influence from his days singing in the church choir. He also found inspiration in the legendary sounds of Tina Turner, The Staple Singers, Patti Labelle, Celia Cruz, Toni Braxton and Tupac Shakur.”
Ryal | Thunder (Solo On The Dancefloor)
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Singer-keyboardist Jacque Ryal and producer Aaron Nevezie are the electronic alt-synth duo Ryal. Influenced by Bonobo, Thom Yorke, Sbtrkt, Tame Impala, Damon Albarn and Jesse Ware, Ryal’s music is embedded with stories and soundscapes. Previous releases have earned comparison to acts like Little Dragon and Portishead. In celebration of the one-year anniversary of their dreamy pop anthem Thunder (Solo on the Dancefloor), Ryal have created an acoustic version of the track. The song was written and dedicated to singer Jacque Ryal’s college roommate, who died of COVID in 2020.”
Divine&Acajou | Viens
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Indie-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “French by blood but American by heart, divine&acajou writes and composes in both English and French over an ever-changing original style inspired by pop, slam, hip-hop, indie and classical music, using African and electronic beats, among others. She’s inspired by French artists such as Berger, Sanson, Balavoine, Rita Mitsouko, as well as American and English artists such as Simon & Garfunkel, The Beatles, Eurythmics, Bronski Beat, and many others. Her single Viens dives into desire, waiting, frustration and hope. It is a calling, almost a summoning. This song also stresses the importance of being true to oneself.”
Mahitsy | A Way
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Dance-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I am a young producer who is looking to develop his first personal project. Formerly a drummer, I took up electronic music and DJing at the start of confinement. I have an EP in preparation, produced in my home studio. There are a lot of influences — rock, electro, house, pop and even funk.”
https://soundcloud.com/c-s-48/03-a-way/s-8QEuijHcRuQ?si=56dd4043081d40b88295d5f19029e2e2&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
Noom | Brave (ft. Professor Whatever)
HOME BASE: Switzerland,
GENRE: Rap.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Noom is an artist guided by his heart and soul. He has a precise vision of his art and a great ability to find talented singers. Noom spends a lot of time in his recording studio trying to capture the moment and offer listeners a rich and spontaneous musical experience. The success of his musical projects is constantly evolving and attracting new prospects. Noom travels from city to city in search of the next collaboration that will get him high. Professor Whatever calls out to the listener on Brave and invites him to enter a mysterious, intriguing and powerful universe. What about you? Can you dive in with these two artists?”
The Gum | Stage Name
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Rap.
THE TRANSLATED & EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “This song, although without refrain and clear melody, represents for me a release in lyrical envoy. Deciding to ignore the usual structures found in music, Stage Name is based instead on the famous 44 bars better known in rap. The idea behind the lyrics of this song is to demonstrate how I managed to survive on my own through music and taking my first step as The Gum.”
Mor2dekai | Take Me Higher
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: EDM.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “A romantic track with positive vibes for those who love to fly in their dreams.”
E.G. Phillips | Till We Have Faces Again
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Bossa Nova.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “E.G. Phillips is a San Francisco songwriter who creates lyric-driven songs with his own special blend of whimsy and cinematic imagery — which he uses to give a wry take on dealing with the longings of the heart and the madness of existence. In possession of a degree in Geography, he comes from a country called the Midwest and his favorites include Bob Dylan and The Kinks, as well as Duke Ellington and that crowd. When it comes to his stage presence, there’s a touch of satirist Tom Lehrer in the mix. As for the inspiration for his lyrics, he readily admits an unusually outsized influence by long running British sci-fi show Doctor Who. Ducks With Pants is the name of his fake band. “Till We Have Faces Again is the the opening track and first single off my upcoming album Alien from an Alternate Earth,” he says. “This particular song is one of the few I wrote during lockdown and blends in references to the myth of Cupid and Psyche (by way of C.S. Lewis), which came to my mind during the isolation and strangeness of living through the pandemic. Ultimately it is a hopeful song, I think.”
Richie Dagger’s Crime | Fall In Light
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Indie-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Richie Dagger’s Crime is the Seattle-based project of Richie Nelson that involves a breadth of pop stylings, ranging from acoustic soul to psychedelic funk and ambient R&B electronics. Nelson has shared the stage with local and touring acts such as U.S. Girls, Calvin Johnson and Mark Hossler (Negativland), and was featured on tracks alongside native-activist Gyasi Ross and Slug (Atmosphere) for the album Isskootsik. “This is a cover of my friend Coreena’s song Fall In Light,” he says. “I recorded it in my basement after moving in with my parents during the pandemic. It felt really romantic to me and I felt it was a signal to propose to my fiancee, so I did! Now more than a year later I am planning to release it. We get married in January.”
Evolutionary Sleeper | Never Redeemed, Never Undone (ft. Alex Hamilton)
HOME BASE: United Kingdom.
GENRE: Heavy Metal.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “A verifiable master of mischief, instrumental metal mayhem and savage melody, Evolutionary Sleeper is a one-man army of amplified awesomeness. Exploring the extremities of sound from atmospherically inspired ambience to the fired-up intensity of his professional guitar technique at maximum potential, Evolutionary Sleeper is breaking out of the U.K. and into the worldwide scene by holding absolutely nothing back. From punishing hardcore riffs, to the stunning serenity of post-rock vibes, the powerful emotion and passion on display throughout Evolutionary Sleeper’s music is undeniable, and just as wildly addictive. Never Redeemed, Never Undone is taken from his debut three-track EP Labyrinthian. Each track involves a different vocalist interpreting songs that had been intended for release as instrumentals.”
Olmer | Petrouchka (ft. Yin)
HOME BASE: Belgium.
GENRE: EDM.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “My new EP will pop out in early 2022. What you hear is entirely composed, mixed and mastered by myself. I wrote all the lyrics and composed all the vocal melodies — the singers are just interpreters.”
Johnny Blue | Freehand
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Rap.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Canadian hip-hop maestro Johnny Blue showcases his skills with buttery smooth lyrics and calm dynamic beats. The Toronto artist is no stranger to wielding multiple genres to his advantage. Johnny Blue’s music is experience-driven and much of it revolves around storytelling. His turbulent past serves as a valuable resource when it comes to his creative process. His work is a reflection of his navigation through life and himself.” Despite its insightful jazz piano phrasing, Freehand is easily the angriest song on his EP Until Then, as Johnny separates himself from the mass of creators who “paint by numbers,” to create art. For him, art is about acknowledging problems head-on through song as opposed to creating vague, poppy songs that have no real artistic worth. In a musical world run by singles based on catchy mass appeal, you have to agree.”
Big Wazy | OMO (On My Own)
HOME BASE: Nigeria.
GENRE: Dancehall.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Nigerian Afro-dancehall artist Big Wazy shares his new single OMO (On My Own). It was produced by Josto and mixed and mastered by Izzy Beatzz.”
Polycristal | Les Vautours Chargent
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Rap.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: Polycristal let their music do the talking.
Mibuzzu | 20 Ans Que Je T’aime
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Electro-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Mibuzzu is a singer and producer who works in electro-rock and electro-pop song styles.”
Benjamin Balensi | Space Machine
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: EDM.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Benjamin Balensi started playing piano at five and has never stopped since. He is a composer and a virtuoso pianist who is curious and open-minded. This sensitive artist loves to explore many musical fields. The discovery of Daft Punk in 1996 propelled him forward to a new lyrical world. This passionate and free artist doesn’t want to be locked in a style.”
Nina Deiana | Butter On Toast
HOME BASE: United Kingdom.
GENRE: R&B / Soul.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Nina Deiana is a London singer-songwriter with Sardinian and Hispanic roots. Butter On Toast is her second release. Her inspiration and knowledge of great musicians past and present — including Dave Matthews, Nina Simone, Norah Jones, Joni Mitchell, Lana del Rey, David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, Fiona Apple and Ben Harper — have shaped her sound and formed her soulful side. In Nina’s music, her Mediterranean roots melt with the British world, creating a sound that it’s hard to label but will take you on a cinematic journey across different genres. “Butter on toast is a psychological work meant to highlight the power of manipulation as well as of instincts,” she says. “I was looking for a metaphor to highlight the vulnerability of human beings. Certain things that we experience, or people we encounter, can get deep to the most vulnerable part of us, despite any boundary or limit we have set for ourselves. We can either fight this or embrace this.”
LouTheFather | On Sight
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Rap.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “LouTheFather is a rapper/producer from Louisville making his debut as a solo artist. With a sound that is often compared to Mac Miller, LouTheFather is known for his laid-back personality and lyricism. The 27 year old is currently in Florida working alongside the artists, producers and audio engineers at his record label. On Sight is an inspirational chill-rap hip-hop track with lyrics that share the lessons learned from falling down and coming back stronger. The song is written and delivered with positive energy and a glass-half-full outlook on life, and recognizing “shit ain’t great but it’s all right”.
Jonathan Grow | Les Trois Vies de Marie-Laure
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Neo-Classical.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Jonathan Grow is an American pianist and composer who lives in Franklin, Tenn. He is passionate about telling stories through the medium of music, using orchestral and piano-based composition in modern classical and neoclassical forms. His latest single is a neoclassical piece composed for solo piano, inspired by the life of Marie-Laure from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel All the Light We Cannot See.”
Christoph Sebastian Pabst | Butterfly Wings
HOME BASE: Germany.
GENRE: Neo-Classical.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “In the early ’90s I started making music on an Amiga 500. I even had an eight-bit sampler! Afterwards, digital and analogue synthesisers were added, including a Korg MS20, a Roland TB303, Juno 60 and Jupiter 6. After a long break, I started up again in 2017. This year I released my own neoclassical and ambient music in conjuction with singer Valeska Rautenberg — the album Wonderland came out in November. Butterfly Wings has no beat and no electronics. Its so beautiful, but what is the genre? Spherical music for Winter and Chrismas time!”
Laurie Lewin | Singing A Song About Christmas
HOME BASE: United Kingdom.
GENRE: Folk-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “A special Christmas song, written some years ago when I was working in London around Christmas. It was a cold and rainy day and I came across a rough-looking guy busking outside Bakerloo Underground Railway Station. The strange thing was that he was singing many normal Christmassy type songs but he sang them in a very bitter and sad tone that made me feel quite uncomfortable. As I walked off to catch my train home, I got to thinking about all of the homeless people like this guy who must be having a rough time in the middle of all the business people, and the Christmas shoppers rushing about and what an odd contrast this seemed to be. My wish is that the song makes us all think a bit and reach out to help some of these folks in some way shape or form.”
