Music has a way of bringing different worlds together. For Joannie Labelle, rhythm is a language that connects her love of percussion, intimate songwriting and electronic textures. For Danny Wheeler, better known as WheelUP, it is the foundation of a sound rooted in broken beat, jazz, soul, house and the musical influences of the African diaspora.
Their paths crossed thanks to Ivan Halen-Semeria, WheelUP’s manager and a curator on Groover, who discovered Joannie’s music on the platform and recognised the potential for something special. After hearing her distinctive voice, WheelUP reached out with a selection of unreleased productions. Joannie responded with vocal ideas that immediately sparked a creative connection.
The result? New collaborative tracks in development for WheelUP’s upcoming album, demonstrating how a digital platform can lead to genuine artistic relationships and music that might never have existed otherwise.
We spoke to both artists about their musical identities, the power of collaboration, their experience with Groover and what comes next.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Joannie Labelle:
I’m Joannie Labelle, a singer, percussionist, songwriter, producer, explorer of rhythm, and nature lover.
Rhythm and melodies have always felt like home to me. I grew up in Canada in a family where music was highly valued. We danced to it, sang it, played it. It was everywhere and important.
Over the years, my journey has taken me across different countries, musical cultures and collaborations that have shaped the way I create. Every experience leaves a little imprint on my music. In a way, it’s a form of journaling for me.
I’m endlessly curious. What happens if a Cuban rhythm meets electronic textures? What if my voice stays soft on a bold track? That’s usually where my fun begins.
WheelUP:
I’m Danny Wheeler, also known as WheelUP. I’m a Zimbabwean-British producer, DJ and artist based in West London. I’ve been involved in underground music for many years, originally releasing drum & bass as Danny Wheeler before creating WheelUP as a home for my love of broken beat, bruk, jazz, soul, house, UK funky, UKG and Afro-influenced rhythms.
My music has been released through Tru Thoughts, Laurent Garnier’s COD3 QR, Liquid V and other independent labels. I’ve also performed at festivals and venues including Worldwide Festival, Glastonbury, We Out Here, Love Supreme, Tate Modern and Jazz Café.
Can you tell us about your musical project?
Joannie Labelle:
My project, my songs, are rooted in rhythm, but they reach for emotions, feelings and dreams. I blend percussion with intimate songwriting and electronic production.
I love instinctive writing. That’s how I start my lyrics and melodies most of the time. Every release is another little piece of my story, trying to reach out to other individuals like me.
WheelUP:
WheelUP represents the “West London Sound” genre and the musical culture that shaped me. The project connects broken beat with jazz, soul, house, hip-hop, funk and sounds from across the African diaspora.
Collaboration is a major part of the project. I enjoy bringing together different vocalists, musicians and producers and seeing what happens when our musical worlds meet. Connecting through music is a big thing for me.
How would you describe your music, and what are the best conditions for discovering it?
Joannie Labelle:
I’d say my music is rhythmic, dreamy, organic, electronic… human. Sometimes polished, sometimes chaotic.
The best way to discover it is probably to sit down comfortably with something pleasing to drink. Then start listening to my album or EP from beginning to end, because I really take the time to feel and imagine a journey for the listener. I try to create a travelling experience through music. But you should have some space around you to make a few dance moves here and there!
WheelUP:
The music is rhythm, soul and feeling. For me, it’s all about positive vibrations through music and sharing that energy. I’m influenced by UK club music, but I have an international mindset: world music meets UK club culture.
A powerful sound system and an open-minded dancefloor are probably the perfect conditions for me.
How did you discover Groover, and what convinced you to use the platform?
Joannie Labelle:
I remember looking for ways to promote my music as an independent artist. I’m so glad I found Groover. What attracted me was how direct the process is. Instead of wondering if my music disappears into the internet forever, I know I’m actually reaching people who are genuinely listening.
I was really pleased to find curators there who truly supported me and my releases.
WheelUP:
My connection to Groover came through my manager, Ivan Halen-Semeria, who is a curator on the platform. Ivan is a wonderful person and, as well as managing me, he’s the co-owner of Worldwide Festival with Gilles Peterson.
Ivan discovered Joannie’s music through Groover, heard something distinctive in her voice and musical personality, and felt that our worlds could work together.
He then introduced us directly. I listened to Joannie’s music, immediately heard the potential and sent her a selection of my unreleased productions.
What opportunities have you had through Groover?
Joannie Labelle:
Groover has helped me connect with many playlist curators and diverse music professionals.
Among other opportunities, I’ve been added to a playlist that skyrocketed my song “On prend le thé.”
More recently, I got in touch with Ivan Halen-Semeria from Worldwide Festival, who manages DJ WheelUP. Ivan has been really generous in connecting us. I was very pleased when WheelUP asked me to record some vocals for him. I really liked the tracks.
Now the songs will be released on Tru Thoughts Recordings, a truly surprising turn of events. That’s really amazing!
WheelUP:
The most important opportunity was an authentic artistic connection rather than simply receiving feedback or promotion.
Joannie responded creatively to 2 unreleased WheelUP productions. She recorded vocal ideas and sent me the individual stems, which allowed me to develop and reshape the tracks from my side.
The chemistry worked straight away. I loved the originality and beauty that her vocals added. I subsequently shared the music with my label, Tru Thoughts, who responded very positively to Joannie’s voice and the overall musical direction. The tracks are now being developed as part of the creative process around my next WheelUP album.
It’s a great example of how a digital platform can lead to a real human connection and new music that would not otherwise have existed.
Joannie Labelle:
I’m currently working on new songs, and I’m incredibly excited about them. I’m trying to push the limits of percussion, soft vocals and electronics coexisting. I’ve also been working hard on my production, vocals and mixes. They should be out by next winter at the latest.
And, of course, there are the tracks with WheelUP. He’s mixing the songs right now, and I can’t wait to hear them and celebrate the release on Tru Thoughts Recordings.
I’m also releasing a new single, “Mantra (Let it Go)”, on November 27, 2026, across all platforms. It’s an independent release published by Dachshund Music (35 Grad Music & Publishing GmbH).
WheelUP:
I’m currently working on my fourth WheelUP album for Tru Thoughts, with new collaborations and a continued exploration of the relationship between broken beat, jazz, soulful house and African-influenced club music.
I also have my remix of Manu Dibango’s “Sun Explosion” coming through Soul Makossa, new music with Kathy Brown through Laurent Garnier’s COD3 QR, and collaborative music in development with Roni Size. I also have a new collaboration in progress with Gilles Peterson.
Alongside the releases, I’m continuing to develop WheelUP as both a DJ project and a live experience across the UK, Europe and North America.
What advice would you give to artists starting a musical project?
Joannie Labelle:
Protect your own voice. People will tell you what they think works, what you should do, how to sing, how to dress. Forget it. Just do what sounds and feels good to you.
That’s where the joy and the pride are: creating music that’s yours, with your own colours and identity. Be brave, and trust your gut.
WheelUP:
Follow your heart. Don’t play for the algorithm. Develop your own musical identity over time, and don’t be afraid to be different.
Build a team of positive people around you to support each other and believe in yourself, regardless of whether you have 0 fans or a million. Do what you do and enjoy it first for yourself.
Be patient. When the right people connect, as happened with Joannie, the music usually tells you very quickly that there’s something worth developing.
Any final words?
Joannie Labelle:
Thank you so much for supporting independent artists and music. I am very grateful that a platform like Groover exists, and I hope that people with a deep love for music will continue to connect there and make the music scene and industry more sensitive and open.
Thank you!
WheelUP:
Thank you to Groover for creating a great platform that has led to this connection, and to Ivan for recognising that Joannie and I could make something special together.
Most importantly, thank you to Joannie for trusting me and the music, and for bringing such a beautiful voice to it.
This feels like the beginning of a positive collaboration.
