Meet Emma Doo, Usken, Mehari, and Ucci Why; these 4 artists who ā thanks to Kendell Entertainment and Groover ā landed their first sync opportunity on an international feature film signed by Netflix: Les Liaisons Dangereuses š„ How has this sync placement impacted the visibility of their music so far?
In one week we could already see a strong push on Shazam: (+500 shazam in one week) and streams (+400%)
MEHARI
EMMA DOO
Can you tell us about yourself and your musical project?
Yes of course! My name is Emma, Emma Doo was my grandmotherās pet name for meā¦ I grew up in a musical family, every family gathering is an opportunity to sing together. I first studied theater and dance in high school, music came later. After having made my first steps in Parisian bands as a singer and lyricist, I decided to leave to train in the United States, at Berklee College of Music. During my time there, my project and goal became clearer upon my return to France. Having listened to English and American music from the 70ās to the 90ās, my songs have strong āoldiesā influences.
How did you meet Clementine, from Kendell Entertainment, and what was the process leading up to your signing?
I met Clementine in April 2020, during the release of my EP, Paradox, thanks to Groover. I sent my song āBe Youā, and she accepted it! At first I was dubious, not knowing anything about itā¦ and then I said to myself that at the end of the day, I had nothing to lose! After reading the contract in detail, I signed it!
šĀ Get in contact with the founder of Kendell Entertainment
Was this your first sync opportunity?
Yes, this is my first sync!
What has this film done for you and your career?
This sync gives me a new impetus and I canāt thank Clementine enough for her work and her confidence. This is a rare opportunity for an artist, a more important exposure than I can get by canvassing alone. Itās the beginning of the adventure so I donāt have the necessary hindsight yet but for now, the streams are going up!
Do you think Groover can shake up the music industry and allow independent artists to get opportunities and meet people that were almost impossible until now?
Absolutely.
USKEN
Can you tell us about yourself and your musical project ?
Our project was born on the ashes of a garage pop band in which Isabelle and I played. I (Yann) had invested a lot in this band and itās to move on to something else that I proposed to Isabelle to go on a long trip to Scandinavia. In Norway we discovered a tiny island which is at the origin of the name of our group: Usken. There, Norwegian musicians taught me the basics of Ableton Live which allowed us to play our music as a duo. We didnāt really have an idea about the musical identity we wanted but we have very strong tastes : Isabelle likes electronic music, big bass : the sound that hits in the chest !
On my side, I have a particular taste for the sounds of the 60s. I love old things when it comes to instruments. In short, we wanted to mix electronic sounds with vintage sounds. The absence of a drummer made us want to put forward some rhythms or drums sounds out of the ordinary. We released our first album in November 2019 with plans for a series of concerts starting in March 2020. But Covid has shaken things up. Today we are five on stage and happy to have met musicians close to our musical universe. Our first album, Drive, has decent listening on streaming and, without me understanding why, our listeners are rather in the US.
How did you meet Clementine, from Kendell Entertainment, and what was the process leading up to your signing?
I contacted Kendell Entertainement via Groover. I sent him a track I like a lot : The Nest. Itās a track that is not easy to access: very down tempo, very simple and very melancholic. I thought it was a good synthesis of our musical universe but it was quite daring to send such a non-radio track. I am happy that Clementine saw a musical universe in it. Thatās the most important thing for us. To create music is a rather simple process finallyā¦ to have a musical universe is a challenge!
Concerning the signature of the contract, everything went very quickly. There was no usual procrastination that I often had to face with professionals of the music industry. I thank Clementine for her work and her professionalism! Really! Itās square, itās fast, itās clear! I love it!
šĀ Get in contact with the founder of Kendell Entertainment
Is this your first sync opportunity?
series!
I donāt know if itās related to the visual of āDriveā but the vast majority of the feedback weāve had about this first album is about the cinematic aspect of our music. Thatās a huge compliment for me because when I compose, images come into my head. Yes yes, I make myself a kind of mental video while composing!!! And if no image comes to me when I listen again to our recordings, the title passes to the trap door.
What has this film done for you and your career?
Everyone knows about Netflix. To have a label, to play in recognized theaters, to be published, it doesnāt speak to the uninitiated. Just the name Netflix gives a more professional image to our project.
Take Shelter, the title chosen by Rachel Suissa for this Netflix production, has had very steady streams since its release, but the movie gave a real boost. I would say that we have almost doubled the audience in the last few days, but above all, some of the listeners are taking the time to listen to several of our tracks. Some are subscribing.
Do you think Groover can shake up the music industry and allow independent artists to get opportunities and meet people that were almost impossible until now?
Ah ah, the question is a bit biased, isnāt it? Well, to be honest, the music industry makes me quite circumspect. My punk side probably! But yes, probably. I hope so anyway!!! There is a real possibility because I am often amazed by the quality of the musical projects that I can discover on stage. They are often far from the beaten path of the artists that we can hear via the main media. Goover makes it very easy for bands who have no network to get in touch with professionals. Thatās worth its weight in gold!
As long as these professionals take risks, there is an opportunity! I think that Clementine took a risk with us and thatās worth respecting. Hats off to you, Clementine! But yes, itās true that Groover allowed us to sign on a label (Archi Records) and itās through Groover that I met Clementine. So yes, Groover works. Will Groover allow us to find a tour manager? Thatās our next goal! And, Iāll keep you posted!
MEHARI
Can you tell us about yourself and your musical project?
Duo from Toulouse, Mehari was born from the meeting between Pierre-Henri (guitar, bass, production) and me (keyboards, vocals).
The adventure of the group began with a remix of āLoverās Caveā for Is Tropical signed on KitsunĆ©, which allowed us to be noticed internationally at the time.
Then we released 2 EPs āRed Moonā and āAll this timeā.
Les Inrocks said that we proposed a kind of aerial pop, which suits us well.
After a break, we are back in the game with the release of āFameā, co-produced by Eric ChĆ©deville, pioneer of the French touch and co-composer of the track āI feel it comingā of The Weeknd.
The track is part of a new EP that will be released soon and it is precisely this track in a remixed version that has been used on Liaisons Dangereuses.
How did you meet Clementine, from Kendell Entertainment, and what was the process leading up to your signing?
We met Clementine through Groover : )
Everything went pretty smoothly. Clementine is a very conscientious professional who doesnāt forget any detail.
She makes sure that everything is in place, which is very reassuring for both the artists and the companies she works with.
šĀ Get in contact with the founder of Kendell Entertainment
Is this your first sync opportunity?
No, we had already had synchro, notably for the Citroƫn brand or in television.
But this is probably the first one on an international feature film.
What has this film done for you and your career?
The movie gave us some exposure and credibility in the movie sync.
Our piece was featured and can be heard on about 3min30, which is quite rare.
In one week we could already see a strong push on Shazam: (+500 shazam in one week) and streams (+400%)
Do you think Groover can shake up the music industry and allow independent artists to get opportunities and meet people that were almost impossible until now?
Yes I think Groover can definitely play a major role in helping independent artists to get access to bigger opportunities, especially on sync.
UCCI WHY
Can you tell us about yourself and your musical project?
I try to put my soul into my music, Iāve been doing it since I was a little girl and Iām super happy to be pursuing a career in a field that I enjoy so much ā even though sometimes itās a bit of an obstacle course. Rap for me is a way to express my ideas in rhythm and music, whether itās to laugh or to talk more seriously. My project is to succeed in creating original works that I like thoroughly ā itās not an easy task, but as time goes by, Iām more and more satisfied, ahah -, and of course itās about creating tracks that mark people positively: songs that allow them to have a good time and to let off steam.
How did you meet Clementine, from Kendell Entertainment, and how did it go until you signed?
I came across Kendell Entertainment through Groover. At first we had a publishing deal for a song and then Kendell Entertainment worked on my new EP.
šĀ Get in contact with the founder of Kendell Entertainment
Is this your first sync opportunity?
Yes āFreakyā on āLiaisons Dangereusesā was my first synchro.
What has this film done for you and your career?
This movie brought me a lot of visibility on this particular song āFreakyā. Iām very happy.
Do you think Groover can shake up the music industry and allow independent artists to get opportunities and meet people that were almost impossible until now?
Iām sure it will. I find Groover to be a very good medium; I have already come into contact with different professionals, I have been able to get several feedbacks and it has allowed me to expand my network.
Translated by Betty Gonzalez Gray
ā
If you too would like to increase your chances of having your music placed in a film, send your music to Groover ā¬ļø
