BEN L’ONCLE SOUL is a French songwriter with an uncanny knack for the sounds and sights of Stax-era soul. His 2010 debut on Motown Records captured his retro stylings to a T, with intricate arrangements and soaring melodies that are “sweet, smooth … and immediately impressive,” (BBC) in a blend of English and French. His first hit single to chart was a cover of The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army,” which remains a rousing part of his live show, and his subsequent singles have been a blend of originals and reimagined covers. Before his time as a solo artist, he came up as a member of the Fitiavana Gospel Choir, which recorded memorable versions of such classics as “Killing Me Softly” and “Lean On Me.”
SWEET CRUDE is an “extremely exciting new group with haunting and mesmerizing vocals,” (PopMatters) leaping out of New Orleans with bilingual pop that builds upon the musical traditions of the bayou. Brooklyn Vegan writes, “If you’re a fan of many-membered pop ensembles like Polyphonic Spree or The Most Serene Republic, you may very well dig these guys too.”