[PIAS]

It’s no secret that we here at [PIAS] love the annual ESNS showcase festival in Groningen, the Netherlands. Our year is always kickstarted in the best way possible with our trip to Holland to exhibit our new talent in front of leading bookers, promoters, agents, and media. Finding, discovering, and nurturing new talent is where we thrive, and when we love a new artist, we want to tell the world. Simple.

If you are able, you should most definitely attend the Eurosonic showcase festival that kicks off on January 17th – we specifically want to bring your attention to our 7 artists performing this year: Ada Oda (62 TV), Conchúr White (Bella Union), Lynks (Heavenly Recordings), Loverman ([PIAS] Recordings Belgium), néomí ([PIAS] Recordings Holland), Pip Blom (Heavenly Recordings) and Viji (Speedy Wunderground).

Read on to find out more about these artists and why they are not to be missed, as well as when and how you can catch each of their performances. Don’t say we didn’t tell you first: Ada Oda, Conchúr White, Lynks, Loverman, néomí, Pip Blom and Viji.

THURS TO FRI NIGHT 18TH JAN | MAAS FRONT | 11.30 PM – 12:10 AM (CET)

Italian post-punk from the Brussels underground, Ada Oda offers an energetic blend of music at the crossroads of eighties rock, Italian pop and chanson. César Laloux’s barebone songwriting describes his impressions of love and the people around him. His lyrics were first translated into Italian and then adapted by vocalist Victoria Barracato, the daughter of a Sicilian immigrant. The band released its first album, Un Amore Debole, in November 2022 on 62 TV Records.

HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC? Fresh up tempo rock and roll with Italian lyrics! WHO/WHAT WOULD YOU REGARD AS THE 3 BIGGEST INFLUENCES TO YOUR MUSIC? New York guitars, Sicilian traditional songs, 80’s post-punk beats TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER HEARD YOUR MUSIC BEFORE, WHICH TRACK/VIDEO OF YOURS WOULD YOU SUGGEST THEY START OFF WITH AND WHY? 'Niente Da Offrire', our first video, straight to the point ;-)

THURS TO FRI NIGHT 19th JAN | LUTHERSE KERK | 12:10 AM – 12.50 AM (CET)

FRI 19TH JAN | PLATOSONIC (PLATO & CC) | 12:30 PM – 12.50 PM (CET)

Newly signed to Bella Union, Irish songwriter Conchúr White recently shared an impressive single, ‘Rivers’ – allusive but intimate, surreal but accessible, White’s silky and singular songs always approach their subjects sideways on: sometimes dreamy and theatrical, sometimes grounded and sumptuously melodic, his work beguiles by stealth and contains a multitude of emotions. Conchúr is currently recording his debut album, due for release early in 2024.

HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC? Friends usually make comparisons to the likes of Sufjan Stevens & Bright Eyes - Chamber Pop/Alternative Folk WHO/WHAT WOULD YOU REGARD AS THE 3 BIGGEST INFLUENCES TO YOUR MUSIC? It changes all the time but on the album, Big Thief. Father John Misty & Aldous Harding were reference points TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER HEARD YOUR MUSIC BEFORE, WHICH TRACK/VIDEO OF YOURS WOULD YOU SUGGEST THEY START OFF WITH AND WHY? 'Righteous (Why Did I Feel Like That?)' as it's my most recent release and my favourite track from the singles released thus far and gives a good indication as to what the album sounds like

FRI TO SAT NIGHT 19TH JAN | GRAND THEATRE MAIN | 11.30 PM – 12.10 AM (CET)

Merchant of pure gay chaos. Cult sensation in London’s underground music scene, named “one to watch” by Lauren Laverne, The Guardian, Attitude Magazine, NME, Loud & Quiet, DIY and Elton John. Lynks’ sensational live show has played at sold-out venues across the UK, from transforming the main stage of Latitude Festival, a secret set at Reading festival and headlining London’s Heaven Nightclub, taking this pure queer dystopia of electro-punk excess to festivals across Europe. Signed to Heavenly Recordings.

HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC? Yassified Flight of the Conchords WHO/WHAT WOULD YOU REGARD AS THE 3 BIGGEST INFLUENCES TO YOUR MUSIC? M.I.A., Peaches, Boots Meal Deal TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER HEARD YOUR MUSIC BEFORE, WHICH TRACK/VIDEO OF YOURS WOULD YOU SUGGEST THEY START OFF WITH AND WHY? 'CPR', because it's new and I'm trying to promote it!

THU 18TH JAN | LUTHERSE KERK | 10.50 PM – 11.30 PM (CET)

FRI 19TH JAN | PLATOSONIC (PLATO & CC) | 12.50 PM – 1.10 PM (CET)

Loverman ([PIAS] Recordings Belgium), is the solo project of Belgian artist James de Graef, former member of the wacky rock band Shht. For this new adventure, the deep-voiced songwriter from Brussels reveals himself in a minimalist formula, where the guitar accompanies his twilight poetry. Following in the footsteps of Leonard Cohen and Nick Cave, Loverman evolves in a world of chiaroscuro, and delivers songs that are inhabited by an idea of timelessness.

HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC? Emo-singer/Songcowboy-Jesterjazz WHO/WHAT WOULD YOU REGARD AS THE 3 BIGGEST INFLUENCES TO YOUR MUSIC? Mum & Dad, My Soulmate, My GF TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER HEARD YOUR MUSIC BEFORE, WHICH TRACK/VIDEO OF YOURS WOULD YOU SUGGEST THEY START OFF WITH AND WHY? 'Differences Aside' 'cause it's a banger!

WED 17TH JAN | LUTHERSE KERK | 10.50 PM – 11.30 PM (CET)

THURS 18TH JAN | PLATOSONIC (PLATO & CC) | 3PM – 3.20 PM (CET)

néomí is the moniker for folk-pop singer-songwriter Neomi Speelman. Inspired by classic folk songwriters like Bon Iver, Ben Howard, Bob Dylan and Phoebe Bridgers, she writes authentic and sincere stories backed by dreamy soundscapes. Writing songs has been a second nature to her since she first picked up the guitar and got accepted at a music college in Amsterdam. Debut EP before was released in 2022 via [PIAS] Recordings Holland and follow-up after dropped in April 2023. Recent single ‘your girl’ is a pleasant teaser for the long awaited debut album.

HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC? I asked them just now and they said “it’s alright” WHO/WHAT WOULD YOU REGARD AS THE 3 BIGGEST INFLUENCES TO YOUR MUSIC? My depression, my sarcasm, and my dog. All these are jokes haha!! I’ve been so inspired by humankind. Just to be a kid, and now a grown-up who is falling in and out of love. Trying to deal with life as we all do. I get inspired by nights out with friends, by artists like Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan Ben Howard and Bon Iver and my sister telling me I should sing TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER HEARD YOUR MUSIC BEFORE, WHICH TRACK/VIDEO OF YOURS WOULD YOU SUGGEST THEY START OFF WITH AND WHY? All right so…if you are in sad girl season and you want to stay sad, try ‘garden’.
If you are in sad girl season but I’m hopeful, try ‘red balloon’.
If you are in bad girl era, go for ‘your girl’.
And if you’re up for a little dance get ‘somebody’s daughter’ on your headphones.

THURS 18TH JAN | MAAS MAIN | 9.30 PM – 10.10 PM (CET)

Hailing from Amsterdam, Pip Blom (Heavenly Recordings) have been making waves in the indie rock scene with an infectious and energetic sound. Drawing inspiration from a wide range of musical influences, including grunge, Britpop, and 60s/70s rock, the band creates a unique blend of catchy melodies, gritty guitars, and captivating lyrics. With their dynamic live performances and a string of critically acclaimed releases, Pip Blom have been steadily building a growing group of devoted fans. In 2023 they released acclaimed third album Bobbie, alongside an electrifying new live set.

HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC? Indiepopsongs! WHO/WHAT WOULD YOU REGARD AS THE 3 BIGGEST INFLUENCES TO YOUR MUSIC? Micachu and The Shapes, The Breeders and Sorry. Micachu and the Shapes have made my favorite album ever called Jewellery. It's the perfect combination of sounds and the songs are short but really catchy. I love it. I've always considered the Breeders to be one of the coolest bands they are the reason I wanted to start a band too. And last but not least: Sorry. I think I like every single song they've released. I love their melodies, their sense of sound and their songwriting in general TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER HEARD YOUR MUSIC BEFORE, WHICH TRACK/VIDEO OF YOURS WOULD YOU SUGGEST THEY START OFF WITH AND WHY? 'Brand New Car'. It's a combination of both guitars and synths. It's danceable and also rocky. I would say it's a classic Pip Blom tune

FRI 19TH JAN | ALL ROUND | 8.50 PM – 9.30 PM (CET)

FRI 19TH JAN | PLATOSONIC (PLATO & CC) | 4.10 PM – 4.30 PM (CET)

Referencing the easy, fuzzy sounds of the 90s, Viji – real name Vanilla Jenner – is pioneering a new style of indie sleaze. Her shoegazey debut album, So Vanilla, is filled with layered guitar melodies that touch on the slower end of Sonic Youth, paired with the pop hooks and slow, soulful soliloquies. Born and raised in Vienna, Viji went via the US and Brazil to the UK to study music production in Brighton. Now, the self-described emo-punkrocker operates from London, where she is signed to Speedy Wunderground.

WHO/WHAT WOULD YOU REGARD AS THE 3 BIGGEST INFLUENCES TO YOUR MUSIC? "Soft" punk maybe. Lofi-indie, alt-rock? Depends on their vocabulary, genres are a funny to me I’m not very nerdy with it HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC? Elliott Smith, Bikini Kill, Sparklehorse TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER HEARD YOUR MUSIC BEFORE, WHICH TRACK/VIDEO OF YOURS WOULD YOU SUGGEST THEY START OFF WITH AND WHY? I would probably say go and watch ‘Down’. I loved making the video and I think musically it has both soft and harder parts . Then go into ‘Sundress in Pink’ because it’s self shot with all my friends and super cute. Lastly watch 'Karaoke' :3

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⇥ Proudly Presenting Connie Constance

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Nothing says 'Happy New Year' like EUROSONIC NOORDERSLAG – [PIAS] PROUDLY PRESENTS: ADA ODA, CONCHúR WHITE, LYNKS, LOVERMAN, néomí, PIP BLOM AND VIJI

ADA ODA

CONCHúR WHITE

Lynks

Loverman

néomí

PIP BLOM

VIJI

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