Faux Real work for scale, Tiphanie Doucet takes a deep dive, Drew Charron makes a powerful impression without uttering a word — 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, you should pick up on what these artists are putting down:
Faux Real | The United Snakes Of America
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Pop-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Through their music and choreography, brothers Elliott and Vigrile Arndt of French-American duo Faux Real celebrate, destroy, and re-invent their kinship, exploring the boundaries of duality, theatricality and sensuality by mixing absurdist Frenglish poetry and Stooges-esque pop. Their approach firmly places them in traditions inherited from the underground, subverting time-tested formulas to suit their needs as modern artists. Everything in their bold productions betrays a fierce desire of modernity. The United Snakes Of America is another amazing track that lands somwhere between prog rock and glam rock, artsy yet accessible and more serious than it seems.”
Tiphanie Doucet | Ocean Blue
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Indie-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. to study acting and musical theater. After the critically acclaimed success of her 2018 LP Under My Sun, she released her ethereal EP Painted Blue. Fans of Feist, Charlotte Cardin, Maggie Rogers or Taylor Swift will have their hearts stolen by her earnest lyrics and calming yet majestic take on alternative-tinged electro folk-pop.“Ocean Blue, the third single from my upcoming album Letters, is an open letter to the world,” she says. “And it has a special place. It’s less pop, it’s more alternative. It is bilingual like many of my songs. We made the track during the quarantine time. Remotely. Me in France, (producer) David Baron in Boiceville N.Y., my drummer in France, my violinist and guitarist in New Jersey. At the time we were all craving for blue skies, fresh air, we were all wondering when the end of the tunnel would be. The ocean has always fascinated me. Water has always liberated me. I wanted this title as a breath of fresh air but also a cry — that scream you send out to the world when you throw yourself into cold water, that release when you cry out to the world about your distress.”
Drew Charron | Anoetic
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “This is the new single from my new sophomore studio album Archives. I call my music progressive/psychedelic rhythm and bass. It’s not all instrumental music, but this track is.”
Tylass | I Douce
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Rap.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Originally from Martinique, Tylass (real name Steven Scaron), sang from an early age. “Music is something cultural in Martinique,” says Tylass. “There are many amateur and professional artists. You have to fight if you want to stand out.” It is not easy for an artist to live exclusively from his art, so Tylass works odd jobs while he devotes time to writing and improving his skills. “After working in a group for a long time, I will release my first solo EP very soon,” he says. “It will be called Kreolissime. It is a project that mixes the current rhythms with that of my home island.”
Les Évadés | La Holi
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Prog-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Based in Quebec, Les Évadés are an instrumental collective that create an eclectic sound universe, mixing jazz, rock, surf and world influences. Merging a rock-influenced rhythmic section (guitar-bass-drums) with the lyricism and almost classical feel of a strings section (violin-cello), their second album Black Mamba stands out due to its hybridity. La Holi, the single, is the celebration of colors, the intoxication of the senses; all delivered in an aesthetic that fuses Asian colors with rock groove. As instrumental music transcends the language barrier, we believe in the power that our musical universe can generate.”
Dany Sharp | Just Be Free
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Synth-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I am composer and producer Daniel Jabot. I created a virtual artist named Dany Sharp who will carry my music through incredible filmed adventures. In Just Be Free, Dany Sharp praises the rights of women in the world.”
Bishop Falz | Eyin Ara (ft. Mike Abdul)
HOME BASE: Nigeria.
GENRE: World.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “The track is a Thanksgiving song showing appreciation of what God has done, It also an end-of-the-year celebration song, featuring danceable, love-filled gospel music.”
Tosing Ojuri | This Is How I Woke Up
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Rap.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “This Is How I Woke Up vividly describes my recovery after trauma. The greatest joy for me is that people who have listened to it have been inspired to stay hopeful despite pain. It’s a feel-good rap song!”
Petitsoleil | Alma En Flor
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Latin Folk-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Supported by the swaying swing and the crystalline sound of the ukulele, by the percussions of Japy Lo Pinto, and the “tremolo-twangy” electric guitar of Piero Bégot, the songs of Roberto Lozano take us from Southern France 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 without age or borders — all performed with heart and soul.”
Mike Schu | Daily Grind
HOME BASE: Germany.
GENRE: Indie-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Mike Schu is a German singer-songwriter and guitar player who has been playing blues, soul, funk, country, bluegrass, rock ’n’ roll, folk and Americana for more than 40 years. Beyond guitar, Mike loves to slap the bass, pick the banjo, slide on the square-neck dobro or blow the harp. About four years ago he set up his own home studio and has been composing, arranging, recording, mixing, mastering and producing his own songs since then. Daily Grind is about the huge impact of common things and actions on our lives. This overdose of daily routines more and more reduces our creativity. That’s a pity.”
Hipo | Laisse Tomber
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Rap.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “With Laisse Tomber, Hipo speaks in a melancholic way — but with a touch of hope — about his desire to escape after a complicated breakup, with strong lyrics that can speak to everyone.”
Karl Baudoin | Gotta Go
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Funk.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Karl Baudoin has been playing music from an early age. He studied at Berklee and has a degree in Composition and Orchestration for Film and TV — among other degrees — and studied classical composition at the French school Polyphonies. He started at age 14 with hard rock and heavy metal in the ’80s, then moved on to blues and rock in the ’90s playing hundreds of gigs in pubs, bars and festivals. He shifted to world music in the 2000s, then back to blues around 2010. Gotta Go is an school funk-rock cut with a bit of James Brown here and some Red Hot Chili Peppers there, plus lots of bluesy guitar and — best of all — a fantastic real horn section.”
M.A.P. | Sorry L.A. … I Won’t Come
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Indie-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I was hit by music at the age of four and it has never left me since. I wrote my first lyrics at a very young age, but it was not until I was 24 that I was able to play them to a small circle of people. I am a guitarist and self-taught author-composer.”
https://youtu.be/xCHuEuzso04
Julien Delaye | Ancient Monster
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Indie-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Julien Delaye is a French singer-songwriter from Marseille and the former frontman of the metal band Caedes, rock band The Coyotes Dessert and Canis Majoris. The pandemic having passed by, he finds himself alone with his snippets of compositions and a new folk guitar which made him return to his first inspirations. Ancient Monster is a solitary project, entirely produced, recorded and mixed at home, mixing a dark and melancholic folk with rock flights. A harmonious and hypnotic turn!”
Olivia Ouedraogo | La Majesté
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: CCM.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “My name is Olivia and I am a singer-songwriter in Canada. La Majesté features simple words sung to give glory to a God so good and so powerful who reigns above all.”
Patrick & Daniels | Good Vibes
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Jazz-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “This is the title track to our LP Good Vibes Live, produced by Canadian Mark Howard. In the past, we have been nominated for a variety of songwriting awards, as well as a nomination for Blues Recording of the Year in 2021 at the Nova Scotia Music Awards. We are very active, very invested, and have a great team that worked on this project. The album comes out Jan. 20 and fuses blues, jazz, pop and Americana over 11 songs reecorded live off the floor.”
D-Track | Sans II
HOME BASE: Canada.
GENRE: Rap.
THE TRANSLATED & EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “A true veteran MC, David Dufour, alias D-Track, has accumulated 15 years of work in the hip-hop milieu, releasing eight albums/EPs and two collections of lyrics. Recognized mainly for his writing, his authenticity and his talent in freestyle, the hip-hop artist from Gatineau has won numerous awards. After the release of the album Hull a little over a year ago, D-Track is back with the single Sans II, whose predecessor appeared on his 2011 album Le Feeling. D-Track worked with American beatmaker August Fanon (Mach-Hommy, Griselda) to produce this self-described “exercise in style.” The lyrics are inspired by the phrase “You can’t put the D without the track.”
DJ Mèche | Go Arabia
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Electronica.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Kévin Pieters, known by his stage name DJ Mèche, is a 27-year-old artist from the Hauts-de-France region. A composer, author and performer, he has also been a sound engineer since 2006. He finds his universe by mixing musical genres: Urban, pop, dance, electro and many others. Go Arabia is the second single from his EP United World.”
https://youtu.be/i-JjNJcrHAw
Michael Kay | Candy
HOME BASE: Australia.
GENRE: Rap.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Zambian-born, Perth-based singer-songwriter Michael Kay is able to shift between R&B, soul, funk, pop and rap. Michael has evolved his sound, infusing his songs with irresistible hooks, lyrics and melodies. His soulful melodies, concepts, memorable lyrics and stage presence have become his signature since his appearance on The Voice Australia. Like one of his biggest heroes, Beyoncé, his goal is to level up with each project, create new trends and present art that is authentic and doesn’t strive to be flawless, just honest. “Music is an extension of my being, and part of that is being able to share how I feel, healed or just have some fun with my music,” he says. “Candy to me represents a moment when I was so appreciative of the differences of everyone in the community I keep around me. It celebrates the strength and confidence in who you are and are becoming. Regardless of where you are in your journey of self-discovery, over here all my people have always been there to celebrate and be there for each other. This song is basically about having confidence in who you are and celebrating all those around you.”
The ConSoulTant | Up On The Housetop
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: EDM.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “With her remarkable energy, upbeat sound, and impeccable style, The ConSoulTant has been creating exciting anthems, lively music, and holiday themes for all to enjoy. Now, she is promoting her single Up On The Housetop. This remake of the classic Christmas tune reveals her joyous holiday spirit through a stunning combination of electro-soul and her undeniable gift for creating hooks that resonate for all the right reasons. Up On The Housetop sparkles and shines amongst the best of holiday music. Join her as she continues to spread cheer and create unforgettable moments.”
Alec Berlin | Minir Maad
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Indie-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “After more than two decades as an in-demand sideman, Alec Berlin has made an album that combines his love of concise pop-rock songwriting with his expertise as a guitarist. Berlin describes Space Punk And Other Junk, his fourth release, as “instrumental singer-songwriter music. These songs speak the vernacular of concise pop-rock music, so you’d expect them to have words. But it’s instrumental music … Minir Maad is a propulsive track that places you in the desert at sunset.”
The Kofrim | Memory Loss
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Pop-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “In their revolutionary four-part album Commentology, The Kofrim confront different manifestations of loss: Memory loss and dementia, cracks in our social fabric, ruthless wars and the destruction of planet Earth. Going from the most personal to the global, each topic is conveyed through the lenses of multiple commentators, clashing and arguing provocatively at times, with one another. Memory Loss opens the album’s first part, which revolves around all-too-familiar yet devastating cognitive disorders. The song raises a philosophical question around the identity of a person suffering from progressive dementia: Is it still him inside, or is it somebody else?”
Jadanaë | Entre Tes Mains (ft. Vany)
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: R&B / Soul.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “A new month, a new single from Jadanaë, and a new banger: In collaboration with Vany, she delivers jazz-tinged R&B with a disconcerting ease. A swaying rhythm, a piano and a haunting guitar to support her warm and slightly veiled voice leave no doubt that Entre Tes Mains will warm this cold period.”
Emmrose | Cuffing Season
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Emmrose is a 19-year-old songwriter who wrote her first single in Grade 8 math class. Now’s she is working on her second EP while going to college in New York City. She still writes songs in class — except now thousands of people have discovered her brand of original, introspective dream-pop. “Tis’ the season — cuffing season,” she quips. “What does cuffing season even mean? The holidays can either feel like the most special time or the most lonely.” Emmrose wrote this song to comfort everyone yearning for love.”
Jade Ashtangini | Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
HOME BASE: Taiwan.
GENRE: Neo-Classical.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Jade Ashtangini is a classical pianist, composer, cellist, mantra and kirtan chanter in Dallas and Taiwan. Her music is soothing and graceful, encompassing modern classical, contemporary, minimalist, new age, classical crossover and ambient. She loves to compose calming spiritual music for people to practise yoga, meditate, study or simply just to relax. “The creative idea for me to write this song is that bamboo has been used throughout Japanese history as an important material for art and music,” she explains. “So it should be no surprise to find bamboo forests in Japan, several of which are located near the city of Kyoto, one of the most classic is Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. I wrote this song to express the meditative and peaceful vibes in this space to bring you the best inner peace. Unwind and lie down at ease, allowing yourself to be in this tranquility.”
Jeremy Burke | Metaphysical Breakdown
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Prog-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I’ve been playing bass for over 15 years. Primarily self taught, I play multiple genres with a solid foundation in rock and improvisational music. I like to bring together musicians you would not normally hear together and get them on the same track. Featured on this track are Mario Conte on drums, Caton Sollenberger on lead guitar and Ethan Stauffer on rhythm guitar. This track steps a bit outside the bounds of the rest of my EP and ventures more into the realm of progressive metal, while also drawing from Latin, funk and jazz. This song is essentially an instrumental representation of an internal existential crisis — or at least that was partially what I was trying to get across.”
Vince van Soth | Insuline
HOME BASE: Spain.
GENRE: Indie-Rock.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I’m a musician, singer and electronic music producer. This song is from my Guitars album.”
Tokyo Omega | HMU
HOME BASE: United States.
GENRE: Rap.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I’m a rapper / singer-songwriter releasing my first grown and sexy record. It’s heavily ’90s influenced. The track samples Lil Kim’s Big Momma Thang.”
Berthe | Madame
HOME BASE: France.
GENRE: Synth-Pop.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Infused by LCD Soundsystem, Talking Heads, The Cure and Bashung, Olivier Bertholet created Berthe to mix his influences with disco-punk energy. Madame is the first single from the album Polarité, due in February 2023. It’s a kind of disco-rock turbine which highlights the live energy of the group.”
Zara Moana | Take Me Away
HOME BASE: Australia.
GENRE: R&B / Soul.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Zara Moana is a singer-songwriter from Melbourne. Known for her colourful storytelling, she has deliberately crafted an interconnection between her songwriting and her paintings. Zara finds utmost value in the simplicities of life and relationships, connecting with listeners on a personal level. Despite her music’s contemporary feel, her work has hints of nostalgia reminiscent to that of soft R&B, with infusions of rock.”
Romain Gutsy | Frenchy Boy
HOME BASE: Belgium.
GENRE: Folk.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “Romain Gutsy is a French-born singer-songwriter and a musician who started his career in the ’90s, singing and playing accordion with Soul Asylum and Calvin Russell. After more than 20 years of traveling all over the world, he came back in 2020 with a solo album under the name of The Red. Whatever Says the Clock featured songs composed of lyrics made of classical American and Irish poetry. It was followed in 2022 by the album When Leonard Met Dolly. “What if you were a Frenchy Boy and the expectations of you American girlfriend were way above reason, and full of clichés?” he says of his latest track. “And what if you had interiorized all these clichés about Americans expectations and wrote a song about it? That’s what Frenchy Boy is: An anthem for all cliches and for all Frenchy boys of the world! It was co-written, co-produced, mixed and masterised by Marc Bentel.”
Olario | Prelude Nr. 1
HOME BASE: Austria.
GENRE: Neo-Classical.
THE EDITED BIO & PRESS RELEASE: “I am a violinist, pianist and composer. I perform as a soloist in places like Carnegie Hall and La Scala and have won international classical music awards. I am UNICEF Austria Ambassador. My latest release is called Prelude Nr. 1. It is a multi-instrumental piece showcasing virtuoso solo trumpet, cinematic strings and Steinway piano. It is about unstoppable motion, emotional harmonies, and an uplifting ending. The main melody travels from strings to trumpet and then to the piano, accompanied by diverse soundscapes and multi-melodism. I composed, recorded all instruments (except trumpet), produced, mixed and mastered the whole track myself.”
