Miels light up your head, Soul Funk Factory throw a party, Petitsoleil pluck their ukulele, Pileos let go 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 200 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, settle in for another musical journey:
Miels | La Tête Électrique
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Indie-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “After their first encounter in the Nevada desert, Paige and J-F decided to cancel their respective return flights and take the road through the American West. Paige, straight out of the Georgia swamps, and J-F, far from the Quebec countryside, never left each other again. They moved in together in Montreal and formed the band Miels (Honeys). Since then, they have been composing together, mixing their two universes to create a unique sound that resembles them: Sexy rock ’n’ roll mixing blues with modern rhythms. It’s a sound that makes you want to hit the road on a whim and forget about everyday problems. A pure, sexy and electrifying sound from the first listening.”
Soul Funk Factory | Celebrate
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Funk.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Built around human values and enriched by the experiences of its members, Soul Funk Factory offer original compositions where soulful melody and funk energy are put at the service of emotion. We would like to introduce you to our latest single Celebrate, a groovy and elegant track from our EP All We Need, which will be released in June. This EP creates a dream bridge between the punch of raw funk, the purity of soul and the excitement of rhythm and blues. All We Need carries the ambition to keep the frenetic energy of the live show. In a word, it’s a very groovy EP which allows you to discover the unique sound of our group at the crossroads between modernity and vintage.”
Petitsoleil | Ukulélé Song
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Folk-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Supported by the crystalline sound of the ukulele, the percussion of Japy Lo Pinto and the “tremolo-twangy” electric guitar of Piero Bégot the songs of Roberto Lozano take us from Southern France and Spain to Latin America. On heady refrains that celebrate life, love and the intoxication of Latin fiestas, the three boys, their heads in the sun, delight us with songs performed with heart and soul. Ukulele literally means “leaping flea,” probably from the Hawaiian nickname of Edward Purvis, who was small and quick, and who popularized the instrument brought to Hawaii by the Portuguese in 1879. Ukulélé Song is dedicated to this wonderful piece of wood that gives, through its clear and chiming sound. It is the first single from the new album Haïkulélé Songs, to be released at the end of 2022.”
Pileos | Let Her Go
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Folk-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Before releasing my first EP of French electro-folk, I have shot a video for a cover of the international hit Let Her Go by Passenger. Let Her Go is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. It’s the song that drove me into folk music when I discovered it in 2013, after a tough breakup. Releasing this cover is a way for me to introduce people to my personal universe and sound. The video was shot by the French lifestyle photographer Vincent Beck Mathieu.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdQlSS0UVFc
Clou9 | So High
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Hip-Hop Soul.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Clou9, an artist / producer / engineer from New Jersey, brings class and substance into a struggling hip-hop genre that is missing morals and value. He represents truth, authenticity, loyalty, accountability, and dedication. ‘So High is a song I wrote subliminally about dealing with depression in a nutshell,’ he says. ‘So High was written, and produced by me from scratch. It features a local artist, Carina Barrios.”
DJ Chinwax | Twerk
HOME BASE: Martinique.
GENRE: Rap.
THE TRANSLATED & EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Do you know the Shatta? It is a musical style originating in Martinique which is beginning to invade clubs all over the world. This style, mixing Caribbean dancehall and electronic music, leaves no one indifferent. One of its representatives is DJ Chinwax, whose latest song is Twerk.”
Holy Field | Breathing
HOME BASE: Switzerland.
GENRE: Nu-Metal.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “My name is Brian Bendahan. I’m a Swiss-based film composer. Holy Field stands at the vanguard of the nu-metal
revival that’s conquering the world. Influenced by icons like Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit, Korn and Jedi Mind Tricks, Holy Field has developed its original style built on huge guitars, cutting lyrics performed by a pair of lead vocalists, and cinematic production and sound design.”
The Orchid | Loin
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Indie-Folk.
THE TRANSLATED & EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “The Orchid just released their album on May 6. It was produced and mixed by Warren C. Spicer (Plants and Animals) and welcomes the participation of Denis Péan (Lo’Jo).”
Keith Orlando Harris | She’s An Instagram Model
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: R&B / Soul.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “My name is Keith Orlando Harris and I would like to submit my award-winning comedy / pop / R&B video. I wrote the screenplay and song lyrics, produced, directed, acted, sang and edited it. I am a native New Yorker who traveled to 34 countries, and while traveling the world throughout the pandemic, I created and produced the video in three different countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and the U.S. It took a year and a half from start to finish. The video has won 20 awards and is set to screen in upcoming festivals in the next few months.”
n.e.r.d. life by D’Vo | What’s The Meaning
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: R&B / Soul.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “n.e.r.d. life by D’Vo is an alternative hip-hop and soul artist from Houston. He is the voice of Global Rhythm and the owner of the label Element 11. D’Vo is a different breed of artist — he remains anonymous while giving listeners a unique blend of hip-hop with down south soul, jazz, rap with modulated voices, all chopped and screwed. His futuristic sound has produced four top-charting songs. ‘What’s The Meaning was written after the winter storm in Texas last year,’ he says. ‘Spring was just around the corner and I pondered the meaning of life, so the song is poetic but also has an urban pop sound to it.’ ”
Entrée Libre | Pixel
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Indie-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Entrée Libre, a Parisian duo formed in 2019, create joyful and spontaneous pop to escape the enclosement of the strange days they were born in. The two childhood friends took the first letters of their name to create the name Entrée Libre (Free Admission). Through the singles they’ve released in the last few months, they’ve shown some magnificent musical promise: some influence of Flavien Berger‘s perched elegance, a genial resourcefulness reminiscent of Mac DeMarco, all carried by a rock energy and poetic, sharp French lyrics.”
Sauce40 | Active
HOME BASE: New Zealand.
GENRE: Rap.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “After making a splash with his debut single Eight, Sauce40 is back with a new song that is set to take over the soundwaves in New Zealand and put him on the map internationally. Active is an introduction to the world of Sauce40, bringing together hard-hitting 808s, vibrant melodies and lyrics that give rise to the story of a young man adjusting to his new lifestyle ‘This track is about me talking my piece to the world, letting everyone know that Sauce40 is here,’ he says. ‘I want to let everyone feel what I am going through and encourage them to continue on their journey wherever they are in life. If you’re ever feeling down and out, just look how far you’ve come and motivate yourself to go even further.’ ”
Mathieu Saïkaly | Aainaye
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Indie-Folk.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Mathieu Saïkaly is an explorer. What stands out in his search are his atypical melodies and choice of arrangements in the French pop scene. After winning Nouvelle Star, he was signed on a major label and released his first album A Million Particles in 2015, followed by Quatre Murs Blancs in 2019 and Plus Jamais Te Revoir in 2021. Aainaye is the last single of his upcoming EP out on June 3. it stands at a crossroads traced by the experiences and identities that Mathieu shares in the song. Where does he want to go? What is the path that will really make him move forward, and what’s at the end of it? With his thin guitar, voice isolated in hesitation, and the tremolo of plucked strings, the song is somewhere between the feverish folk of Elliott Smith, Mediterranean tunes and Russian Orthodox choirs, mixing a ghostly silhouette with a sense of grandeur.”
Stolt | More
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Synth-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Stolt is a powerful name, in keeping with the voice of the person who bears it and to whom it gives the shelter of a bronze shield. A geode-like name whose rugged, organic envelope conceals the refinement of a hidden treasure. A unique voice. THE voice. A voice of rough velvet and flayed silk. Bitter and soft. Deep like tightrope walking, as it soars high and wide with disconcerting ease. Behind this cracked bronze tone hides Marc Bayard, a 26-year-old singer. Bayard thought for a long time that he was fearless and blameless, convincing himself that he was omniscient, even immortal, and boldly multiplying hazardous if not perilous experiences. But this period of soul-searching is over. He has found his voice, his way. He is no longer arrogant. He is proud. In the vein of his previous songs, More evokes the ambiguity with which one can perceive the harshness of existence. An emotional dissonance tinged with inspirations close to Imagine Dragons and Benjamin Clémentine. Is despair not basically a substantial marker capable of allowing us to draw this intrinsic strength to face the meaning of life? Simple but powerful images that bring out in everyone this duality between darkness and light, a tear that makes us kneel down or rise up.”
https://youtu.be/AL_yz9u9FLI
Chan Handpan | Du Haut De Toi
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: World.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “He wields a “celestial” instrument and sings in French, English and Berber. Alea Jacta East was the name of the group Chan joined in the ’90s as a drummer. Some 400 concerts, three albums and a double CD/DVD later, he discovered the handpan and a new world opened. In 2020, he made his first solo album Awid Aman (Bring Water), an album that wants to be refined, deep and open. Now Chan gives us Du Haut De Toi to complete his reflection on absence, lack and desire, the parts of ourselves we all try to find. What if it was just a decoy? And if it was only a quest towards oneself? It is in this tension that this song plunges us.”
Cat | Tout Donné
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: R&B / Soul.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I’ve made music since my childhood. My ultimate goal is that when people are listening to my music they feel less alone and misunderstood. My brand new single Tout Donné (All Given) was meant to be as intimate as possible and was recorded it in such a way that the listeners could have the impression of a moment of confession. The sweetness and intensity of the chorus envelops us like a mist, symbolizing a blind fall into the void. As much as the song is sad, it has this little flavour of hope — even if I want to give up, I keep hoping that it will be better and that the best way to start is to let go, put a knee to the ground, stopping time before starting again. It’s a call for help.”
DJ H Chimist | Life Bond
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Dance-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “DJ H Chimist is a composer from Paris. From his beginnings, he was influenced by hip-hop and rap. He has produced several albums in the world of French rap. He has expanded his horizons with new musical influences by composing in different styles like rap, pop, chill and reggaeton. Life Bond deals with a personal subject but can also touch everyone.”
Deep Dive Species | Beach Runes
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Synth-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Deep Dive Species are a guitar/synth duo from New York City, formed during (and basically because of) the 2020 lockdown. Vadim Militsin is an electronic scene veteran who stands behind numerous projects like AUTiSM, Logica Abstracta and Robotov-Millentrop. Sergey Popovich is a guitarist and vocalist with a string of projects like Vopli Vodoplyasova (famous in and beyond his native Ukraine), Hey! Lubo! and Goodswan. This track sits between genres, mixing a new wave / post-punk riff with a mellow electronic background. It’s a short and atmospheric piece, a little gem and a good filler at the same time.”
Spoke | Come My Way
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Indie-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “A new take on punk.”
LoufoQ | Lumière Claire
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: R&B / Soul.
THE TRANSLATED & EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Originally from Drummondville, the LoufoQ duo have been juggling hip-hop, rock and funk since the launch of their first album Rap ’N’ Roll in 2014. Guitarist and technician Phil Beaulieu offers warm funk-rock productions without fear of adding the strength and ardor of an electro sound. For his part, the vocal agility of Fred Simard evokes trap and Quebec rap. The mixture of styles creates a unique, contemporary, easily recognizable and fundamentally catchy sound. After years of fine-tuning their art, the duo are ready to present their series of Artists Unproductive mini-albums.”
Anna Winkin | Peace Of Mind
HOME BASE: Belgium.
GENRE: R&B / Soul.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Anna Winkin finds her inspiration in nature and spirituality, blending African and classical music with R&B and soul. Her lyrics are an invitation for the listener to reflect and reconnect to the heart. With an atmospheric sound, a soulful and crystalline tone, fine and resonant harmonies, her music delivers a message of hope and love. She released the EP Space For Love in 2017, followed by a series of singles including her latest track Peace of Mind. A soulful and intimatestory about finding peace within a conflit between loved ones, it boasts strong vocal harmonies supported by melancholic piano.”
7eme Vague | Ondines
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Ambient.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I’m a French artist and surfer. Connected to Mother Nature, I’ve decided to launch my project 7eme Vague, where I compose very deep and calm music.”
Rylai | Testimony
HOME BASE: South Korea.
GENRE: Hip-Hop Jazz.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Testimony is pop rap, but goes in a completely different direction than the other pop rap records these days. The track is chill, funky, danceable, and has an old-school Motown vibe.”
Valkyrie | Heavy Is My Crown
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Metal.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Amongst the hordes of chaos in the San Antonio music scene were the thrash warlords Valkyrie. After releasing a cult classic demo in 1985, and playing shows throughout Texas for a three-year stint, they vanished. In 2018, a renewed interest for San Antonio metal bands from the ’80s, prompted them to get back together and perform again. Needless to say, Valkyrie had unfinished business to attend to and released a proper offering for their fans. The Choosers Of The Slain EP was recorded and released in 2019. Now the thrash-metal pioneers are back with a blistering and unforgiving effort for fans of old school thrash and today’s modern metal. Their bone-crushing release chronicles the past few years and the impact it’s had on all of us!”
Zoe Mazah | Bang Bang (The Sweetest Sound)
HOME BASE: Germany.
GENRE: Reggae.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Liberian/German singer-songwriter Zoe Mazah writes soul-infused reggae songs of big and small emotions close to her thoughts and feels, with lyrics to uplift and touch the heart. Fat beats, pumping bass lines and the sweet skank of reggae guitars seduce and invite listeners to daydream and relax. Bang Bang (The Sweetest Sound) is a tribute to sound system culture. Mazah is supported by roots reggae veteran Rob Symeonn. Bang Bang (The Sweetest Sound) is a statement. Let music be the only thing to hit you! One love.”
Frolin | Improvisations
HOME BASE: Norway.
GENRE: Neo-Classical.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I live in the southwestern part of Norway, surrounded by beautiful scenery like the sea, fjords, small islands, forests and mountains. This scenery is an inspiration for my music, and it is my hope that you can feel this when you listen! I have always been looking for inner peace, to benefit both physical and emotional health and well-being. This inner search has led to my desire to be a part of the solution for others who also desire tranquility through music, meditation and mindfulness.”
QuinDonxDonQuin | Sides
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Rap.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I make songs about my life and things I’ve been through.”
Sambox | Love Truth
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Electronica.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “After studying classical music, Samuel Pineau aka Sambox moved towards lounge music, chillout, ambient and jazz sometimes. His productions have appeared in 65 CD compilations and been used on television and in luxury hotels and spas. His latest track Love Truth sits between pop/chillout and lounge music, tinged with a pleasant melody and a feminine voice to deliver a moment of relaxation.”
HC Nitter | Æ Savne Dæ
HOME BASE: Norway.
GENRE: Acoustic Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I am from Tromsö in the north of Norway. I am trying to promote my songs in Norwegian also outside of Norway. Norwegian is the language I feel I can express myself in most, and also it is interesting to see how people will react to a foreign-language song. There are many Norwegian-Americans living in the U.S.A. and other countries.”
Stellan Perrick | Golden Baby
HOME BASE: Germany.
GENRE: R&B / Soul.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I have been making music for nearly seven years. All by myself, I produce, write, mix, compose and master all my stuff. I taught myself everything to the best of my abilities, but it has taken some serious work. I experiment with all genres, mixing stuff to make something interesting that sparks excitement. I made this song for people who feel unlucky. People who feel like they have too many difficulties and that God is being unfair to them. People who feel lonely because nobody can relate to their struggles. People who feel like they are worthless. People who don’t want to keep feeling like everyone is privileged except for them. It’s a message to them saying that it’s not everyone else, it’s you! You are the real golden baby! My journey of loving myself made this song for people who have felt like I did at one point. So that people would never have to feel like how I felt. It is my message of love to each and every one of them.”
Osta Love | Wishful Thinking
HOME BASE: Germany.
GENRE: Folk-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Osta Love are Tobias Geberth and Leon Ackermann, who started the band after moving to Berlin in 2010. They weave diverse influences into their very own style of indie-rock, always adding a dose of melancholic dreamscape to their unique sound to touch both hearts and heads. This is the title track fro their new EP Wishful Thinking.”
Mark Hopter | Cactus
HOME BASE: Belgium.
GENRE: EDM.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I tried to build a melody which can stick in the head for hours, so that people would be bewitched by the buildup and wonder what’s next. The drop is heavy and combines plucky sounds and bass. It’s close to a techno track but still accessible for EDM public.”
https://soundcloud.com/mark_hopter/mark-hopter-cactus/s-pbKOfRPukIK?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
RA-15 | Juice
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Rap.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Rapper and entrepreneur RA-15 is a hip-hop musician who combines lyrics, storytelling, and contentious artistic components. His recording method is founded on the idea of true acoustic integrity, which requires a seamless blend of excellent sound quality, thought-provoking rhymes and exceptionally high performances. The result is euphoric emotion and gorgeous, high-fidelity recordings. RA-15 has created an environment in which his love of music and reverence for the art and science of sound production inform and justify every decision he makes. RA-15 is back with a new EP titled 3G. The lead single Juice is a nostalgia-driven tune, accompanied by eclectic lyrics and hypnotic horns.”
Julius Rut | Cruise Dans La Ville
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Rap.
THE TRANSLATED & EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I am Julius Rut, a beatmaker, rapper and singer. My music mixes sarcasm, melancholia and storytelling on productions ranging from bangers to organic instrumentals. Greatly influenced by American rap from the ’90s to today, my music is a cross between Notorious B.I.G. and Anderson .Paak, on tracks where Niska would be comfortable. Cruise Dans La Ville (Cruise In The City) is the first single from his forthcoming EP. The refined and chill boom-bap instrumental produced by Noe highlights a story of seduction between two souls during a car ride in Paris.”
Blitz Union | Plastic
HOME BASE: Czechia.
GENRE: Industrial.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Blitz Union are a furious rock band. They combine melodic pop with hard rock and EDM. Using a blend of heavy guitar riffs, industrial metal overtones and melodic vocals, Blitz Union refuse to be put into a specific genre or category. The band stand for much more than music. The idea of creating an “union,” a community of devoted followers is omnipresent in their music. Blitz Union are about standing together in times of uncertainty, pointing out social, economic and political issues — sometimes seriously and forcefully, sometimes with irony and sarcasm, but never conventionally. The original version of Plastic and the remix version by Zardonic were a big success for the band. Consequently, they decided to record Plastic in Russian, Spanish, Japanese, Czech and German. Marek, the singer of the band, shows amazing language skills in his vocals.”
Bruno Bower | Belle Comme Une Vestale
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Indie-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Influenced by Radiohead, Neil Young and David Bowie, I have writtten 500 songs in French and English and given more than 100 concerts in 30 years. With this evanescent and ethereal track, I made the vocals seem like they are hovering over the track. It’s less rock than my previous songs but still fills the space.”
