Awarded annually to up to three musicians from the different aesthetic (pop/rock/ electro/hip-hop, jazz/world, classical/contemporary) since 2020, the Global Project Grant supports artists in the development of an ambitious medium- or long-term project aimed at boosting their career through promotion, marketing and dissemination, as well as the acquisition of know-how in the music industry. Kultur | lx accompanies the artists and their teams in each step of the project.
After Josh Island (pop/rock), Greg Lamy (jazz), and following a call for applications, the selection committee, composed of Stephanie Baustert (manager), Marc Hauser (Rotondes) Florence Martin (United Instruments of Lucilin), Marc Nickts (SACEM Luxembourg) and John Rech (opderschmelz), unanimously decided to award the Global Project Grant to C’est Karma (pop/rock/electro/hip-hop) and Pascal Schumacher (Classical/Contemporary).
C’est Karma
Statement of the artist
I am filled to the brim with joy to have been awarded next year’s Global Project Grant. I’ve spent the last few years working hard on my identity as an artist and musician and on putting together my dream team. With a lot of exciting projects coming up next year, the financial support granted through the Global Project Grant will help me put those plans into action. Aside from the financial aspect it also means a lot to me to be given the trust and faith in my vision.
Biography
For C’est Karma music is a tool for change. From causing trouble with her punk band in the age of 14 to her bold, hyperpop-infused 2022 EP „Amuse-Bouche“, Karma Catena’s passionate activist heart always beats at the core.
The daughter of two first generation immigrants grew up in Luxembourg but relocated to Amsterdam to „study the Internet“, as she calls it. Channeling her frustration into words and music has gained the 21-year-old critical acclaim from renowned publications such as Rolling Stone, GQ, ELLE or The Line Of Best Fit and collaborations with Canal+ or La Blogothèque, who also invited C’est Karma to their 2021 edition of arte concert Festival in Paris next to Damon Albarn and Joan As Police Woman.
Ploughing furrows covered with hyperpop, alt-pop and noise/industrial influences, Karmas songs range from attacking the inaction on the climate crisis and the disparity between the filthy rich and the less fortunate to her love for women, the cinema and the closest thing to her heart: Pasta.
On the back of extensive praise for her riveting one-woman live show at her first ever North America concerts, C’est Karma has recently embarked on her biggest and most ambitious project to date.
Presentation of the project
After having experimented with different musical genres over the past years, C’est Karma has found her artistic vision. On the back of significant live experiences, critical acclaim from renowned international media and together with a team of highly experienced industry professionals, Karma is ready to release her debut album. Being aimed for release in the second half of 2024, the album draws back to her musical inspirations throughout the years. It refers to musical icons like Björk, Kate Bush or Imogen Heap and draws inspiration from contemporary avant-garde idols like Arca, SOPHIE or Caroline Polachek. Being without a doubt her most personal and introspective work to date, the album explores the space between comfort and discomfort. It confesses her love to her younger brother, to her partner, to her family’s country of origin, Portugal and to the loss of control in the nightlife scene. It also opens up about abuse and fear.
With this album Karma and her team aim to build a sustainable foundation for a long-lasting career. Therefore, they have created a visual identity and drafted an extensive multi-facetted strategy to build a dedicated global fan-community that enables Karma to make a living from her art in the long run. To nurture long-term relationships Karma will combine in-person community-building events around Europe with artist-growth campaigns on social platforms such as Instagram or TikTok, cross-media PR campaigns and her very own Mailing list. In addition, she and her live team are currently creating a memorable live performance that she will present on stages around the world, starting with renowned ESNS Festival in The Netherlands in January 2024.
Pascal Schumacher
Statement of the artist
I’m absolutely enchanted to receive the 2024 Global Grant, a crucial boost for my upcoming project, GLASS TWO. Teaming up with the accomplished German-Greek pianist Danae Dörken, we are shaping a deeply personal rendition of Philip Glass’s oeuvre, interwoven with original compositions infused by his unique style and aesthetics. This funding is crucial for both the tour and the promotional campaign of the upcoming album.
Biography
Pascal Schumacher, a versatile artist from Luxembourg, seamlessly blends classical training with contemporary innovation. He pursued studies in classical percussion and jazz vibraphone at prestigious European conservatories, earning Master’s Degrees in musicology from Marc Bloch University in Strasbourg and music focused on jazz vibraphone from the Koninklijk Conservatorium in The Hague. Collaborating with a diverse array of talents like Jef Neve, Francesco Tristano, Sylvain Rifflet, Kenny Barron, and Magic Malik, Schumacher has honed a unique musical identity. Today, his music defies traditional categorization, fusing emotional classical melodies with minimal electronic elements, liberating his compositions from genre constraints to explore a boundless musical landscape.
Presentation of the project
GLASS TWO is a collaborative project featuring Luxembourg’s vibraphonist and composer Pascal Schumacher and the talented German-Greek pianist Danae Dörken, as they delve into the works of the iconic American minimalist composer Philip Glass. The album is slated for release in the third quarter of 2024 under the German label NEUE MEISTER (edel/ KULTUR). This project represents a significant step forward in Schumacher’s artistic journey, extending well beyond its initial inspiration.
As the anticipation builds for the Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) 2024 festival in Groningen, Netherlands, music enthusiasts and industry insiders alike are gearing up for a spectacular showcase of emerging European talent. Scheduled from January 17 to 21, the event promises a platform for 238 artists to captivate the audience of 4,000 delegates and around 40,000 visitors.
Young rising electro pop artist and singer-songwriter CHAiLD will join C’est Karma on the line-up of the 2024 edition of ESNS. Influenced by the likes of Troye Sivan, Sam Smith, Julia Michaels, and Mø, CHAiLD has crafted a distinctive pop style that integrates his Italian roots, creating a sonic journey that resonates with authenticity. Beyond his musical prowess, CHAiLD is a generational voice for the queer youth, offering a channel for self-expression through his evocative melodies.
Artists who perform at Eurosonic will also be included in the ESNS Exchange Programme, which helps European acts to be booked at festivals outside their home countries and gives them extensive media exposure in collaboration with the EBU (of which radio 100,7 is a member), export offices (including Kultur | lx – Arts Council Luxembourg) and local media.
More information here.
CHAiLD & MAZ Univerze | Night Call
Single release: November 3 | Beast Records
“Night Call” is CHAiLD and MAZ Univerze’s official entry for the national preselection to represent Luxembourg at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. “This song is as passionate as our friendship since we met just over 12 years ago. Since then, we’ve been through the ups and downs of our personal lives and careers together. From helping each other in school to writing and performing music together, from overcoming our greatest struggles to celebrating our greatest successes. We are proud to call each other best friends and great colleagues”, MAZ Univerze explains the reasons why we decided to enter the competition together.
The Cookie Jar Complot | Lobster Knife Fight
EP release: October 27
The instrumental duo The Cookie Jar Complot takes a step forward with their second EP “Lobster Knife Fight”, exploring heavier, faster and more danceable themes in music and in imagery. Consisting of eight melodic tracks, it is made up of quality songs with post- and math-rock accents combined with avant-garde and eclectic overtones for immediate effect. The songwriting duo Sven Schmeler and Gilles Glesener have been behind this endeavour since 2020, with Philipp Colling on bass and Miko Buraczyk on guitar during live performances.
RAFTSIDE | Midnight Sun
Single release: October 23 | Grzegorzki Records Berlin / Emptypop Records
“Midnight Sun” is RAFTSIDE’s official entry for the national preselection to represent Luxembourg at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. The brand-new song is a vibrant tribute to the pop culture of the 1980s. By blending an infectious rhythm with delightfully surreal lyrics, RAFTSIDE offers us a captivating electro-pop journey. The group manages to capture the essence of this iconic decade, evoking a time when electronic sounds and boundless creativity were celebrated. One of the unique aspects of this song is its connection to Filip Markiewicz’s painting work. The artist has developed the visual aesthetics of the video combining combines painting, 3D animation, and artificial intelligence, creating a deep connection between music and visual art. “Midnight Sun” thus becomes a multidimensional work where music, technology, and art come together to offer a new form of artistic experience.
Turnup Tun | Nuit Blanche
Album release: October 13 | Beast Records
After the album “Realtalk” in April and the EP “Schlëmme Summer 2” in August, “Nuit Blanche” is already the third longplay release of Turnup Tun this year in which he shows a very emotional side:“You lie in bed at night and just can’t fall asleep. 1000 thoughts circle in your head and don’t leave you alone. You keep trying, and eventually you fall asleep. The next day you are completely cranky and unmotivated. That’s exactly how I felt quite often and this is exactly what my new album “Nuit Blanche” is about: the topics I have to think about in the evening when my head won’t let me sleep. I am very happy to finally be able to share this song with my audience. I hope they feel the same way as I do”.
DasRADIAL | LIEBES_DRANG
Single release: October 6
DasRADIAL grows out of the absurdities of our digital age: a being, not man not machine, walks between dream and reality. Musician and actor Max Thommes, who spent 10 years as a drummer in the band INBORN! produced by acclaimed producer Ross Robinson, has been going his own way since 2019, creating a dystopian cosmos with DasRADIAL. After several works for the German State Theatre, he also produced the title track of the Arte documentary “UNTERM_RADAR”. With his electronic beats and sharp-tongued lyrics, DasRADIAL now seeks the symbiosis of art figure and musical live performance. DasRADIAL is representing Luxembourg in the EXCITE network in 2023 and performed recently at Sŵn Festival and Reeperbahn Festival.
Francis of Delirium | First Touch
Single release: October 4 | Dalliance Recordings
“The core of “First Touch” is about looking back at love with a sense of nostalgia and idealism. I wanted to capture the youthful feeling of being completely consumed by someone and believing everything would work out, even if that is naive. But, I also wanted to emphasise the beauty of that sentiment, the hope and trust that come with really believing in the authenticity of love”, says Jana. The track, produced by Catherine Marks (boygenius, Wolf Alice, The Killers), follows on from previous single, “Real Love” and makes a slight detour from the dark lyricism of the grunge-inspired songs of her first three EPs and reveals a softer, more open, hopeful and vulnerable sound palette. She adds: “It was a bit of a departure from our usual approach of writing with heavy electric guitar and drums. Instead, Chris and I decided to start experimenting with acoustic guitar and drums. During that time, I started listening to a lot of Sheryl Crow ‘s music, particularly her song ‘Soak Up the Sun’, which became a source of inspiration for the song. I wanted ‘First Touch’ to have a kind of ‘sun-rock’ vibe”.
When Airy met Fairy | Lovebomb Me
Single release: October 2
After a three-year pause, musical duo When ‘Airy Met Fairy is back with an enthralling new single. “Love Bomb Me” showcases the duo’s ability to combine haunting melodies with heartfelt lyrics. Built upon a foundation of longing, the lyrics highlight the emotional journey of the narrator who discovers newfound strength amidst heartbreak. Listeners are immediately immersed in the world of When ‘Airy Met Fairy, as the duo creates a sonic experience that reflects the conflicts and vulnerability present in relationships. Through their unique blend of folk and indie-pop, they weave a tapestry of emotions that is both relatable and cathartic.
Dreadnought | The Fire Within
EP release: October 1 | Recorded and mixed by Jeff Schmitz
The EP “The Fire Within” features three different tracks ranging from more melodic, epic moods to straight Thrash Metal, capturing the diverse inspirations that make up Dreadnought. Recorded and mixed by the band‘s own Jeff Schmitz, it is both a return to the DIY roots as well as an exploration and expansion of the quintet‘s sound.
Drogher | Hawara
Single release: September 29
After the release of a debut EP “The Last Wave” in September 2022, Drogher released their latest tune “Hawara” with the same modern death metal sound. Inspired by a broader spectrum from the metal genre, Drogher finds its harbor within a melodic death-thrash current provoking a lot of movement in the pit.
SAY YES DOG | Not Your Thing
Single release: September 8 | Diskodogs Records
Along with the announcement of their third studio album “DRÄI”, SAY YES DOG has shared the first single “Not Your Thing” from it. The upbeat track works perfectly as a mood elevator for the upcoming dark season and comes with a wacky music video directed by Tun Biever (Two Steps Twice). In November, the trio is playing several small club-shows across Europe under the label “Mini Gigs in Mega Cities”. The album release is scheduled for March 1st 2024 and will be accompanied by a tour, starting with shows in München, Köln, Hamburg and Berlin.
ARTABAN | Rec. Play. Rewind.
Album release: July 21 | Muaaah! Records
15 years ago, the duo Charles and Max Nilles released their first album “Landscapes”. Some music critics praised it as a unique fusion of the styles of Röyksopp and Boards of Canada. Following their 2013 release “Flow,” the Nilles brothers dedicated a decade to perfecting their cinematic masterpiece, “Rec. Play. Rewind.” This latest record was signed under the banner of Muaaah! Records, an ambitious new Luxembourg-based indie label. This label was established by a trio: Marc Hauser, a programmer at Rotondes; Yann Gelezuinas, the technical director at Rotondes; and Nicolas Przeor, who is also a programmer at Rotondes and notably a guitarist for the math-rock group Mutiny on the Bounty.
Lara Grogan | What Was Mine
Single release: July 7 | Recorded and Produced by Charles Stoltz
Inspired by the Beatles, 19-year-old Lara Grogan began writing songs when she was 11. At the age of 13 she started participating in local song-writing competitions and then in music festivals such as the Screaming Fields Festival. In 2022 she performed the song “City and its People” which she wrote exclusively for the Opening concert of Esch 2022. In July 2023, Lara released the song “What Was Mine” for which she wrote the lyrics, music as well as the string arrangement. She writes from her own experience and expresses questions and thoughts about the world around her. Lara loves to experiment with interesting chord progressions and her music has elements of pop, jazz and classical music.
Dreamcatcher | Live – Under a blood red ground
Album release: June 9 | jazzhaus records
In 2018, the musicians of Dream Catcher invited their fans to an extraordinary concert to celebrate the band’s 20th anniversary at an even more extraordinary venue: the Rumelange National Mining Museum, some seventy meters below ground. The three sold-out nights were recorded and filmed to produce a double live album: “Under a Blood Red Ground”. “The album is a tribute to all the women, men, children and also animals who have worked in the mine of the “Minette”. And sometimes, unfortunately, gave their lives. Our existence, our human rights, our existence, which we like to take for granted, is based on these people and their sacrifices. As a gift to us, for which we should always be grateful”, says singer John Rech. Dream Catcher creates a beautiful connection between pub folk rock and timeless acoustic pop ballads that come from the heart.
After ENGLBRT‘s acclaimed performances at the USINA23 festival, where they were spotted by renowned Belgian booker Peter Verstraelen, and their EP release show at Rotondes, the collaborative duo of Georges Goerens and Niels Engel are now taking to the stages of our neighbours in France and Belgium.
Their first show abroad will take place on the 8th of November at the Crossroads Festival in Roubaix (France). The festival was created in 2016 to promote French and international artists and provide a networking platform for professionals.
ENGLBRT’s unique sound, which combines electro, contemporary jazz and well-crafted indie pop, can also be heard on 22 November at De Zwerver in Leffinge (Belgium), when they support Compact Disk Dummies for their sold-out show.
Shortly after the turn of the year, Groningen (NL) will be the place to be for international music lovers and music industry professionals. From 17 to 21 January, ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag) will present more than 350 emerging European artists who will have the opportunity to perform in front of 4,000 delegates and around 40,000 visitors. Two acts from Luxembourg are part of the selected line-up. C’est Karma has already been announced on the recommendation of radio 100,7. The musician, passionate activist and pasta lover will be making her ESNS debut. The second act will be announced in the coming weeks.
Artists who perform at Eurosonic will also be included in the ESNS Exchange Programme, which helps European acts to be booked at festivals outside their home countries and gives them extensive media exposure in collaboration with the EBU (of which radio 100,7 is a member), export offices (including Kultur | lx – Arts Council Luxembourg) and local media.
More information here.
Each September, the international music industry turns its eyes to northern Germany for the Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg, Europe’s largest club festival and one of the most significant music events worldwide. This year, Kultur | lx once again presented a new edition of its renowned showcase series “lx finest – Sounds from Luxembourg” featuring talented artists like Josh Island, CHAiLD, MAZ, and DasRADIAL.
The festival kicked off on the opening night with a remarkable performance by C’est Karma at the Backseat showcase presented by Fanklub at Grüner Jäger as well as Florence Besch’s performance at the Thomas Read Pub presented by VUT Nord.
On Friday, Josh Island managed record-breaking three performances within four hours on three different stages. His journey began with an acoustic set at the MoPo-Mobil in the festival village, hosted by Hamburg’s tabloid newspaper Hamburger Morgenpost. This was followed by the N-Joy Bus session at the bustling Spielbudenplatz, organised by NDR Radio. Finally, he opened the “lx finest – Sounds from Luxembourg” showcase at Häkken club.
Before the showcase, the networking reception was well received with over 300 registered delegates including, including a small delegation of Luxembourgish professionals and journalists (from among others, Konektis Entertainment, Beast Records, Two Steps Twice, Kulturfabrik, Rotondes, den Atelier, opderschmelz and radio 100,7). Despite numerous concurrent shows on the festival’s packed schedule on Friday night, Josh Island, CHAiLD, MAZ and DasRADIAL all enjoyed large and enthusiastic crowds throughout the night.
On the festival’s final day, MAZ and guitarist Patrick Miranda (frontman of the band Pleasing) delivered an acoustic set at the MoPo-Mobil that left the audience with goosebumps and marked the end of the highly acclaimed Luxembourg program at the Reeperbahn Festival 2023 featuring a total of nine performances by six acts across five venues over four days.
Kultur | lx – Arts Council Luxembourg presents another edition of the celebrated |lx finest – Sounds from Luxembourg showcase at the Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg. Four acts will take the stage at HÄKKEN club in the heart of St. Pauli on Friday, September 22nd from 8:30p.m.: Josh Island (groovy singer-songwriter pop combined with soul and folk elements), CHAiLD (electro-pop with a trace of pleasing melancholy), MAZ (explosion of emo-rap with references to metal and punk), and DasRadial (electronic beats and cutting-edge lyrics from a dystopian dreamscape).
If you’re attending Reeperbahn Festival as pro/delegate, make sure to stop by early for our networking reception at 7:30p.m. with finger food and wine from Luxembourg!
RSVP HERE
Friday, 22. September at HÄKKEN
Spielbudenplatz 21/22, 20359 Hamburg
19:30 – Networking reception (only for delegates)
20:15- Doors open to the public
20:30 – 21:10 | Josh Island
21:45 – 22:25 | CHAiLD
23:00 – 23:40 | MAZ
00:15 – 00:55 | DasRadial
Josh Island | 20:30
(+ Friday 22th September at 16:15 – MOPO-Mobil in the Festival Village)
Josh Island is a true European. Born in the British roundabout town of Milton Keynes to a Dutch family, he moved to Germany and the Netherlands before eventually settling in Luxembourg. This natural curiosity for cultures and people is reflected in his music, with the ability to go beyond geopolitical boundaries. As a vocal powerhouse, soulful songwriter and engaging live performer, Josh Island has been steadily growing a loyal fan base across Europe. He draws inspirations from Sting, Jamie Cullum or John Mayer, a dynamic blend of catchy singer-songwriter pop with strong influences of soul and folk. At its core lies, Josh’s unique ability to connect with the crowd – his interactive shows breakdown invisible barriers between audience and artist. Since starting out playing local bars in Luxembourg at the age of 15, he has opened for James Morrison, Passenger and Clueso, toured the Benelux and Germany and released two EPs. He has worked with Guy Chambers (Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue) and represented Luxembourg at the Eurotoire songwriting camp on Cyprus. On 15 September 2023, he is releasing his album ‘In My Head’, an introspective yet mature full-length debut, recorded by Portuguese producer Nelson Canoa (Sara Tavares, Carminho, Mariza) at his studio in Torres Vedras, the winegrowing region north of Lisbon. The Black Mamba (Eurovision 2021) was his studio band. The first singles went on to achieve national airplay in the Benelux and Germany and added to numerous playlists, further cementing him as one of Luxembourg’s most international pop songwriters. This fall, Josh is embarking on a 20-date European tour.
CHAiLD | 21:45
CHAiLD burst onto the music scene in 2019. The young rising pop artist from Luxembourg rapidly became known and stood out for his unique, soothing yet intense voice that pulls at your heartstrings and transports you into his melancholic universe. While there’s a nostalgic air to CHAiLD’s vocals, they also possess a modern twist resonating as vulnerable, strong, and intimate all at the same time. CHAiLD identifies as a Gen Z artist, standing up for a youth generation seeking self-expression. That said, a sincere approach to his music means CHAiLD wears his heart on his sleeve, a path that has helped attract a fan base attending his concerts and seeking out his music, which hails from all walks of life. Despite being on the scene for a relatively short time, CHAiLD has many remarkable achievements under his belt whether it is supporting major acts such as Nothing But Thieves, Dean Lewis, and Mahmood, or performing at local and international festivals. He’s also achieved extensive radio play and chart success in Luxembourg, as well as releasing his debut EP “Urgent Care” in 2023.
MAZ | 23:00
(Saturday 23rd September at 16:15 – MOPO-Mobil in the Village Festival)
Maz emerged from a conservative little town in Luxembourg, where the blueprint to a traditional way of life was put into his cradle in 1999. It took a while for his beautiful, yet gory poetry notes to escape his bedroom drawer; for the pride flag to appear between metal posters. Today, he puts his thoughts into an explosion of emo-rap with references to punk and metal music. He mixes skilful rap with distorted screams and melodic hooks; creating a dark, yet hopeful form of expression. As Maz enters the stage, he ties audiences up into the limb of a giant marionette. A powerful collective beast that puts up a fight against social injustices and inspires one to accept their own darkness just as much as their light. This captivating live energy seems to have escaped from secrecy, earning him slots at iconic festivals such as Sziget or ESNS and the award for the best live performance at the Luxembourg Music Awards in 2022. Maz is currently based in Berlin and Brussels and is working on his forthcoming album while currently releasing his EMO SEASON EP.
DasRadial | 00:15
DasRADIAL grows out of the absurdities of our digital age: a being, not man not machine, walks between dream and reality. Musician and actor Max Thommes, who spent 10 years as the drummer in the band INBORN! produced by acclaimed producer Ross Robinson, has been going his own way since 2019, creating a dystopian cosmos with DasRADIAL. After several works for the German State Theatre, he also produced the title track of the Arte documentary “UNTERM_RADAR”. With his electronic beats and sharp-tongued lyrics, DasRADIAL now seeks the symbiosis of art figure and live musical performance. On stage Max Thommes will be joined by drummer Wouter Rentema who also plays for Bonaparte and Sophie Hunger.
With C’est Karma one of Luxembourg’s most multifaceted musicians will also perform at the Reeperbahn Festival as part of the Hamburg Music Business X Backseat Showcase presented by Fanklub.
On her third EP, “Amuse-Bouche,” Karma’s style is covered in noise/industrial and hyperpop influences. The daughter of two first generation immigrants, and supporters of feminist and LGBTQ+ causes, approaches music as a tool for social change, also attacking the inaction on the climate crisis and the disparity between the filthy rich and the less fortunate (although she sometimes indulges in more sentimental remarks or mentions her love for pasta).
Wednesday, 20 September, 8:00p.m. at Grüner Jäger
Francis of Delirium | Real Love
Single release: 20 July | Dalliance Recordings | Producer: Catharine Marks
With her new track “Real Love”, Jana Bahrich aka Francis Of Delirium expands the darker, grunge influenced sound of earlier releases into a softer, more fragile scenery. The song is about being in love with your best friend for years without finding the right timing and suddenly it worked out. Asked about the song writing process, Jana says: “After writing our last EP ‘The Funhouse’ which was all about darkness and the feeling of being engulfed by the chaos of the world, I just couldn’t write anything super dark and heavy at the time, it just wouldn’t come out. My body and brain were just guiding me to writing lighter, more open music. If there’s a motto to the song, it’s about finding the nerve to be honest, even if circumstances don’t always seem to be in your favour”.
Englbrt | Odes to Everything
EP release: July 14 | Listen Records
ENGLBRT is the collaborative duo of Georges Goerens and Niels Engel. The astonishing partnership sounds effortless thanks to the chemistry between two of Luxembourg’s most prolific and respected musicians. Like a well-adjusted science experience, they carefully draw from a vast field of source materials to achieve genre-defying results. After being active in acclaimed projects within the Luxembourgish music scene, both musicians retreated into renowned culture hub Kulturfabrik to eventually come up with ENGLBRT’s distinctive sonic palette, laying the groundwork of future recordings with their first EP ‘Odes to Everything’.
Josh Island | In My Head
Album release: September 15 | Josh Island
Josh Island’s debut album ‘In My Head’, produced by Portugal-based producer Nelson Canoa, will be released on September 15th. The first four singles, ‘Make It’, ‘Pennies From Heaven’, ‘Rewind’ and ‘Patio Blues’, are teasers of an album showcasing Josh’s love for catchy earworm melodies, guitar-based grooves and intimate ballads that pull on your heartstrings. Josh is this year’s recipient of 2023 Glonal Project Grant which he wants to use to promote the album – including a European tour in fall 2023.
ROME | Gates of Europe
Album release: August 25 | Trisol Music Group
“Gates of Europe” starts off with a burst – a haunting collage of the sounds of February 24th, 2022, the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine – and proceeds almost chronologically through the first year of war via meticulously crafted songs. The album blends traditional song writing craftsmanship with more radical arrangements, carefully combined with intricate and obscure poetry. The 14 songs are captivating glimpses into the inner life of a country that is facing the storm with resolve and courage. With more than 50 official releases, including circa 20 albums, live sessions and various other official releases, ROME has managed to create a world of its own entirely and built a strong and devoted following in Europe and the world.
Seed to Tree | A Little Life
Album release: September 8 | popup-records
On their upcoming album “A Little Life” Seed to Tree returns with a welcome change-up, as they move away from their trademark indie sound, experiment with electronics and write from a more mature perspective. On the single releases “Overhyped”, “Major Lydian” and the title track “A Little life”, Seed to Tree is taking a new turn on their musical journey, walking down the memory lane of new wave and dream pop, loaded with pop-cultural references hinting at David Bowie, The Talking Heads or 90s cult movie Trainspotting. But besides being an homage to all the influences that have been part of the band’s history, the album is mainly a realisation that the band Seed to Tree has become more than the sum of all their inspirations. After playing music together for more than a decade, the four musicians are finding their comfort of a home town in creating songs together that have an identity on their own. The record release concert will take place a den Atelier on September 16th.
Scarlet Anger | Hunger
Single release: June 4 | Scarlet Anger
“Hunger” is the second single of Scarlet Anger’s upcoming album “MARTYR” that will be released at the end of this year. The Thrash Metal band was founded in 2007 by vocalist Joe Block and guitarist Fred Molitor who explain the song’s content like this: “The song title refers to the central theme of the song, which is the insatiable greed and inner hunger that drives us. The term ‘Hunger’ symbolises the intense longing and desire for more, whether it be material or immaterial.” Their previous albums “Freak Show” (2016) and “Dark Reign” (2012) earned lots of respect and appreciation among critics and fans in the Metal scene.
Iceleak | Name
Single release: June 2 | Soave Dusk
The latest single “Name” of the Italian-Luxembourgish DJ and producer Filippo Gorla aka Iceleak, adds another notable track to his release list that reached more than 10 million streams on Spotify. Iceleak’s songs have received support from the biggest names of house music, like Martin Garrix, Tiësto, Lost Frequencies, Hardwell, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Oliver Heldens, Mike Williams, Sam Feldt, Lucas & Steve, Morgan Page, Breathe Carolina, Borgeous, ARTY, Swanky Tunes, Yves V, LVNDSCAPE, Leandro Da Silva, Provenzano and many more.
NOSI | Home
Single release: July 27 | Beast Records, distributed by ADA Benelux, part of Warner Music Benelux
DJ and producer NOSI has gone from playing small venues in Luxembourg to performing at the biggest clubs abroad in a short period of time, and releasing several singles that all achieved chart success including a number one in the Luxembourg national charts. NOSI has made a name for himself receiving international recognition for his DJ sets but now his focus is more as a producer with his own songs and varying music styles. “Home” is just another step on this journey and he’s currently working on a lot of new music to be released in the near future.
Fusion Bomb | Fusion Bomb
EP release: June 30 | Fusion Bomb
Fusion Bomb’s new EP acts as a bridge, connecting the raw intensity of their critically acclaimed debut album, “Concrete Jungle”, to their upcoming second album, scheduled for release still in 2024. The four tracks “Personality?”, “Confessions”, “Consolidate” and “Fifty One Fifity” from the EP got “all the thrash and groovy shit ’Concrete Jungle’ have and a crossover attitude that welcomes many other influences”, so Luc and Scott from Fusion Bomb about their EP.
EDSUN | Live at the Rockhal
Release & video release: August 18 | Beast Records, distributed by ADA Benelux, part of Warner Music Benelux
EDSUN is a multidimensional force combining contemporary dance and R&B to create bold and uplifting art. His abundant creativity and artistic direction are best expressed in his live shows and visuals. His inspiration comes from energy sources like SZA, Janelle Monàe and Beyoncé. EDSUN strives to be remembered as a performer that stood up for something, a badass risk taker incorporating social issues deeply into his art, effectively creating a discourse around those subjects. The three live tracks are taken from EDSUN’s legendary live show at the Rockhal least year and arranged by none other than Sergio Manique Jr.
Ryvage| Les Nuits I
EP release: July 28 | Independent Little Lies
Initially composed for a geo-localized nocturnal soundwalk project combining voices, sound-layers and electronic compositions to be listened to while walking around post-industrial sites in southern Luxembourg, the three tracks on the “Les Nuits I” EP are the brainchild of a collaborative effort by electronic musician Ryvage, actress Elsa Rauchs, whose voice can be heard on two of the three tracks, and a team of sound technicians. “We approached the tracks and lyrics as if they were the soundtrack to an imaginary film, each piece corresponding to the musical setting of one or more scenes from a fictional story describing the inner monologue and nocturnal wanderings of a young woman in the near future,” explains Ryvage. He adds: “In 2020, we began surveying working and idle steelworks sites in southern Luxembourg and capturing the industrial sounds and noises of the town of Esch-sur-Alzette. These samples served as starting points for the compositions and as raw material for some of the sounds”. The “Les Nuits I” EP thus invites us into the inner world of a young woman who has decided to accept her condition as an insomniac, defying the daytime laws of the society she inhabits. We’re not in 2023, but in a near future, from which we learn little beyond a few fragmented textual indications. It’s a dark journey through time, marked by a sometimes melancholic, sometimes oppressive atmosphere, and interspersed with moments of light and driving energy.
2023 Global Project Grant Laureate (pop/rock), Josh Island is releasing his first album In My Head, on 15 September. Recorded by Portuguese producer Nelson Canoa (Sara Tavares, Carminho, Mariza) at his studio in Torres Vedras, he was accompanied in the studio by The Black Mamba (Eurovision 2021). His two singles Fire In You and Love Don’t Come Easy, released in 2022, have been broadcast in Germany and the Benelux countries and are available on numerous streaming platforms.
The Global Project Grant offers Josh Island the opportunity to raise his profile abroad through press relations in targeted territories, digital campaigns and give him a chance to tour abroad with his band rather than alone. This fall, Josh will embark on a twenty-date European tour.
About Josh Island
Josh Island is a true European. Born in the British roundabout town of Milton Keynes to a Dutch family, he moved to Germany and the Netherlands before eventually settling in Luxembourg. This natural curiosity for cultures and people is reflected in his music, with the ability to go beyond geopolitical boundaries.
As a vocal powerhouse, soulful songwriter and engaging live performer, Josh Island has been steadily growing a loyal fan base across Western Europe. He draws inspirations from Sting, Jamie Cullum or John Mayer, a dynamic blend of catchy singer-songwriter pop with strong influences of soul and folk. But at its core lies Josh’s unique ability to connect with the crowd – his interactive shows breakdown invisible barriers between audience and artist.
Since starting out playing local bars in Luxembourg in 2015, he has opened for James Morrison and Passenger, toured the Benelux and Germany and released two EPs.
Josh Island is represented by booking agency Dox Live since August 24.
About Global Project Grant
Created by music:LX and taken over by Kultur | lx, the Global Project Grant is awarded to a musician of each genre (pop/rock/electro/hip-hop, jazz/world, classical/contemporary). It allows to support the artist in the development of a project that aims to stimulate his/her career. Kultur | lx follows the artists and their teams in each stage of the project.
More information about the Global Project Grant can be found here
Applications to be submitted by September 18, 2023
The Global Project Grant, available to artists in the Luxembourgish music scene, offers them the chance of setting out and proposing a project that will enable them to kick-start their career development, promotion and marketing, participation in tours, involvement in international workshops/conferences, and to increase the depth of their compositional work.
This initiative is intended to add value to the project and to encourage artists and their teams to plan their strategy one year ahead, with a dedicated budget. For its part, Kultur | lx is committed to accompanying the laureates in all stages of the project.
More information about Global Project Grant here
Deadline to apply: September 18, 2023
In 2022, Francis of Delirium embarked on three tours: early in the year, a first-ever North American tour as support act for The Districts, with around thirty dates across the USA and Canada, including their first headline gig in New York at Baby’s All Right; the band then supported Briston Maroney across Europe before touring the UK as headliners in the autumn. Francis of Delirium have also released a series of three EPs with The Funhouse, out on 27 April on Dalliance Recordings.
Francesco Tristano released his new album on early music on 11 February 2022 via Sony Classical. The promotion of this album, which marks his return to the baroque repertoire, was accompanied by a series of concerts in Europe and a marketing strategy designed to promote both the release of the album and tour dates in specific territories.
Claire Parsons and Laurent Peckels founded the collective The Aquatic Museum, at the crossroads of pop and chamber music. The collective worked on their eponymous album, which combines jazz harmonies with pop sounds, while retaining the delicacy of chamber music. Alongside this album, an application is currently being developed that will transport users into an aquatic museum and guide them through the rooms of this virtual space.
Previous laureates
2023
Pop/Rock/electro/hip-hop : Josh Island
Jazz/World : Greg Lamy
2022
Pop/Rock/electro/hip-hop : Francis of Delirium
Jazz/World : Claire Parsons
Classical/contemporary : Francesco Tristano
2021
Pop/Rock/electro/hip-hop : TUYS
Jazz/World : Michel Meis 4TET
Classical/contemporary : Cathy Krier