The Absents are a four-piece synth-pop and modern disco-pop band hailing from Brighton, on the south coast of the United Kingdom. The lineup consists of Elliot Kane (vocals), Ryan Whitford (keyboards & production), Callum Price (bass guitar & synth bass), and Jamie Harlow (guitar & backing vocals). The four met in 2018 at a local music festival, where a late-night jam session revealed a shared passion for blending the melodic elegance of 80s synth-pop with the energy and polish of modern pop production.

Deeply influenced by the infectious hooks and emotive energy of Erasure, The Absents quickly began writing together, crafting songs that pair bright synth textures with tight bass grooves and subtle funk undertones. Their early rehearsals took place in a modest studio near Brighton’s seafront, a space that soon became their creative sanctuary and the birthplace of their signature sound.

In 2019, the band released their debut single, which found its way onto local radio playlists and began circulating through London’s club scene. Known for their vivid light shows, charismatic stage presence, and danceable, high-energy sets, The Absents built a reputation as one of the most exciting new acts in the UK’s pop landscape.

Today, The Absents continue to bridge nostalgia and modernity, reaching audiences far beyond the British Isles. Elliot’s commanding yet soulful vocals, Ryan’s shimmering synth arrangements, Callum’s deep, driving grooves, and Jamie’s melodic guitar lines come together to create a live experience that is as unforgettable as it is electrifying.

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Hailing from the sprawling city of Chicago, known for its gusty winds and hearty deep-dish pizzas, the one and only Nico Laurent has been making waves in the musical landscape with his undeniable talent and contagious energy. Born to an imaginative mother who weaved narratives that enchanted Nico's world and a meticulous father whose precision for constructing circuit boards was only matched by his love for the blues. You could say Nico was born to rhythm, melody, and a healthy dose of storytelling. He began his magical sonic journey right there, in the sweet-spot between abstraction and engineering, affectionately known as creativity.

That journey led Nico to pen one of his most notable songs, "I'm Not The One," a tune that dances delightfully between heartbreak and hope, two relatable sides for many of his listeners. His songs mirror his life - filled with textures and nuances - which are as electrifyingly real as the Chicago skyline during a lightning storm. Perhaps it's his mother's storytelling gift that makes his lyrics so compelling, or his father's keen sense for balance that keeps his melodies ringing in your ear long after the song ends. Or maybe, just maybe, it's that cheeky grin of his that makes you think he might know a secret or two about life's grand design. Whatever the case, it's hard to resist the magnetic pull of Nico Laurent and his ever-evolving sound.

Equal parts witty word-spinner and evocative tunesmith, Nico proves that the apple doesn't fall far from the metaphoric tree (and by the sound of it, this apple picked up a guitar on its way down). Nico remembers sitting between piles of books and heaps of cables as a kid, writing stories about robot musicians or sketching out designs for flying guitars, and that imaginative spirit still fuels his music today. So, buckle in and hold onto your hat (the wind in Chicago doesn’t mess around, you know), because Nico Laurent is just getting started, and this is one ride you won't want to miss.

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Meet Camille Duret, the French femme fatale of the pop scene, who manifests the charm of Parisian streets and the sunlit magic of the French Rivier into her songs. She's not just another 'joie de vivre' gal, folks, her tunes will make you feel like dancing on the cobblestones with a warm croissant in hand!

Camille was made in France, quite literally, and her music is neither too rich, nor too thin, rather, much like the perfect crème brûlée. Her infectious pop anthems, dripping with sweet melodic lines, makes you question if sugar may run in her veins. She makes you believe that you're sip-sip-sipping champagne on the Seine, no matter where you are.

Surely, you've bopped your head, maybe even twirled a bit, to her banger “Never Too Late”. A cocktail of happy heartbeats, tasty hooks and irresistible refrains, laced with a sing-along chorus, it's classic Camille at her best. This melodious masterpiece is like a delightful dance with a macaron - sweet, colourful and leaves you wanting more.

So, let's raise our glasses to Camille Duret, the Parisian pop princess who consistently proves that pop can be served well done, medium rare or, occasionally, à la mode. Trust us, once you've had a bite of Camille’s music flambé, there's no going back – Bon Appétit!

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Born in 1992 in Austin, Texas, Ted Craft grew up surrounded by a melting pot of musical influences — from the blues and country his father played on vinyl to the funk and disco his mother kept on repeat in the kitchen. By the age of 10, he was playing guitar and piano, and by 14 he was already performing at local open-mic nights. His natural stage charisma and ear for infectious melodies quickly set him apart from his peers.

After high school, Ted earned a scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he majored in Contemporary Writing and Production. During his time there, he immersed himself in pop and funk theory, honing his skills in arrangement, songwriting, and live performance. Berklee also gave him the opportunity to collaborate with musicians from all over the world, helping shape the eclectic yet polished sound he’s known for today.

Post-graduation, Ted moved to Los Angeles and began crafting his signature blend of sleek pop hooks, groovy basslines, and bright funk guitar riffs. His debut EP quickly caught the attention of both critics and streaming audiences, with its feel-good energy and polished musicianship.

On stage, Ted Craft is a showman through and through — dynamic, playful, and completely in command of his audience. Whether fronting a full band or delivering an intimate acoustic set, he brings the same infectious energy and precision that has made him one of the most exciting new names in the pop-funk scene.

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4 Example is a fresh, energetic boy band from California, made up of four young Americans who all share a deep love for the sounds of the 90s. The group’s origin story is as unexpected as it is fun. It all began at a retro-themed 90s party in Los Angeles, where they bonded over their shared admiration for the era’s iconic music. They hit it off immediately, especially when they discovered that all of them were huge Justin Timberlake fans. What started as a karaoke session of *NSYNC classics that night quickly turned into something bigger—a full-fledged boy band, united by their passion for 90s pop.

The group consists of Tyler “T.J.” James, the smooth-talking frontman with a voice that channels Timberlake’s falsettos, Zach "Z" Cooper, the charismatic dancer who brings high-energy choreography to their performances, Jordan West, the laid-back but soulful singer whose harmonies tie everything together, and Ethan Lee, the quiet but musically gifted producer who crafts their catchy beats.

Each member brings their own flair to the group, but together, they create a nostalgic yet modern sound that brings the best of the 90s into the present day.

4 Example quickly gained attention performing at local clubs, 90s tribute nights, and even on TikTok, where their covers of *NSYNC and Backstreet Boys hits blew up. But they didn’t stop there—soon they were writing original music, blending classic boy band vibes with fresh pop beats.

With their talent, charm, and love for the golden era of boy bands, 4 Example is proving that the magic of the 90s still lives on today.

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Hailing from the neon-lit streets of Miami, the alternative trio that is Night Driver has been infusing the raw intensity of the night sky with their chirpy melodies since 2016. Dominic 'Dom' Hill, Jake 'Rainmaker' Rivers, and Danny 'Mr. Sunshine' Bosco, three musical misfits with a shared love for mismatched socks, form the heart and soul of this band.

Our three amigos initially clashed melodically at the disorientating, dimly lit dive bars of the city. Hilarity ensues, as that was the only fitting place for this kooky trio to unite - under the protective glow of broken beer signs. Dom, the lyricist and vocalist, is a virtuoso of vagaries, drawing inspiration from bedtime stories and bread toasters, tying them seamlessly into a symphony. Jake, a bassist who uses the basslines as emotional war paint, narrates stories that imbibe warmth whilst still packing enough punch to shake disco balls off their hinges. Meanwhile, Danny, the drummer with a ubiquitous grin, brings rhythm to the chaos, functioning as the energetic pulse of Night Driver.

Their infectious single 'Sunshine In My Pocket,' has turned many a gloomy evening into an impromptu kitchen disco. One listens, and it's impossible not to be swept up in the boundless joy that Night Driver weaves into their melody. It is their endearing blend of quirkiness mixed with the ability to craft tunes that makes you wish you were dancing in a convertible at sunset that sets them apart. Their music can best be described as the feeling of finding money in your old jeans - surprising, joyous, and absolutely addictive.

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Hailing from the sprawling city of Chicago, known for its gusty winds and hearty deep-dish pizzas, the one and only Nico Laurent has been making waves in the musical landscape with his undeniable talent and contagious energy. Born to an imaginative mother who weaved narratives that enchanted Nico's world and a meticulous father whose precision for constructing circuit boards was only matched by his love for the blues. You could say Nico was born to rhythm, melody, and a healthy dose of storytelling. He began his magical sonic journey right there, in the sweet-spot between abstraction and engineering, affectionately known as creativity.

That journey led Nico to pen one of his most notable songs, "I'm Not The One," a tune that dances delightfully between heartbreak and hope, two relatable sides for many of his listeners. His songs mirror his life - filled with textures and nuances - which are as electrifyingly real as the Chicago skyline during a lightning storm. Perhaps it's his mother's storytelling gift that makes his lyrics so compelling, or his father's keen sense for balance that keeps his melodies ringing in your ear long after the song ends. Or maybe, just maybe, it's that cheeky grin of his that makes you think he might know a secret or two about life's grand design. Whatever the case, it's hard to resist the magnetic pull of Nico Laurent and his ever-evolving sound.

Equal parts witty word-spinner and evocative tunesmith, Nico proves that the apple doesn't fall far from the metaphoric tree (and by the sound of it, this apple picked up a guitar on its way down). Nico remembers sitting between piles of books and heaps of cables as a kid, writing stories about robot musicians or sketching out designs for flying guitars, and that imaginative spirit still fuels his music today. So, buckle in and hold onto your hat (the wind in Chicago doesn’t mess around, you know), because Nico Laurent is just getting started, and this is one ride you won't want to miss.

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“If it doesn’t ask questions, it’s not music.”

LYA (pronounced “Lie-uh”) is a genre-defying artist from Berlin whose roots stretch from conservatory string quartets to the depths of fog-drenched warehouse raves. A classically trained violinist who once performed Vivaldi at age nine, she left formal music behind in her early 20s to pursue something more fractured, more real. What emerged was a sound as delicate as it is defiant—where harpsichords coexist with 2-step beats, and questions matter more than answers.

Her music exists in a liminal zone: somewhere between dance and disassociation, pop and poetry, cathedral and club. LYA often weaves spoken-word passages into her songs, transforming internal monologues into melodic mantras. Vocals—sometimes her own, sometimes spliced and AI-shifted—glide over textured layers of cello, muted synths, and ambient distortion. Think: if Imogen Heap grew up listening to Burial and wrote haikus in code.

LYA’s debut EP “Syntax of Sleep” was a quiet cult success among insomniac circles on Bandcamp, praised for its “introspective maximalism.” Her live sets, often accompanied by generative visuals and interactive lighting that reacts to audience movement, blur the line between concert and hallucination. She isn’t afraid of silence, nor of noise. Both, to her, are forms of rhythm.

LYA doesn’t write songs to explain. She writes them to wonder. “What’s It Made Of?”—her latest single via notfm—isn’t just a title. It’s a dare. A whisper in the hallway between thoughts. A reminder that meaning isn’t always the point.

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Ornella grew up in northern Italy, educated in a Catholic girls’ school where silence, discipline, and ritual shaped her early relationship with sound. Choir rehearsals, echoing halls, and the contrast between strict structure and private imagination became part of her musical memory. While others followed the rules, she listened for what existed between them. Her first melodies were written quietly, often late at night, more as reflections than performances.

Her music today carries that same restraint and emotional clarity. Minimal arrangements, warm harmonies, and a voice that never overreaches. Ornella does not chase drama; she lets it arrive on its own. There is a sense of intimacy in her work, as if the listener is allowed into something unfinished and honest. Her releases are available only on Filodyo and NOT FM, where her sound lives without interruption, expectation, or noise.

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Meet Felix Dobrev, Sofia's best-kept secret, "dance" virtuoso extraordinaire, and ultimate purveyor of auditory happiness. An independent artist with charisma thicker than his grandmother's Bulgarian yogurt, he's ready to make the world "Recognize."

Born and bred in the heart of Bulgaria, Felix bloomed amid the lively buskers and the distinctive throb of the Balkan music scene, watching, learning, and nursing his own musical genius. This maestro of merriment can put a rhythm into anything quicker than a Baba slinging banitsa, and he is already proving to be the 'estest' of Sofia (fastest, and funniest) to hit the independent dance scene.

His most popular song, "Recognize," has the potent magic of turning gloomy Mondays into radiant Fridays, real Sofia-style. The track has genuine Dobrev charm: infectious beats that tug at your heartstrings as powerfully as they force your feet into grooves, making you feel like you're bouncing on the clouds above Vitosha Mountain.

Felix Dobrev isn't just any go-to party playlist contender. He's better. A creator of endorphin-evoking dance tracks that sparkle with joy and jive with wit, Felix is setting musical trends faster than the city’s tramcars. Prepare yourself to get caught up in his upbeat, unmistakable rhythm... just remember to "Recognize" where you first heard it!

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Elias Thoreau: the lesser known, wonderfully flamboyant cousin of Walden's man himself, who swapped the solitude of nature for the wild shenanigans of the indie music scene. Hailing from a small town in France where his famous relative lived, he's been spinning tales about love, loss, and large vegetable patches since the turn of the millennium in his own alternative style.

There's a certain brooding melancholy about his music that lingers long after the last note has been played – think Joy Division in a neverending existential crisis, only slightly offset by the enchanting sounds of accordion. His flagship hit, "We Built a World," still gives us Feels-a-go-go, as it paints a vivid storytelling frontier, each sad cadence wrapped in lush instrumentation and poignant lyrics about the construction and subsequent demolition of emotional walls.

Guided by a deep-rooted philosophy that in order to truly feel alive you need to swing from the heights of joy and dip into the dark valleys of sorrow, Elias Thoreau’s music truly embodies this. So next time you feel like embarking on a soul-touching flight of emotions, with a sidestep into the vegetable patch, grab a glass of fine wine, crank up the volume, and let Monsieur Thoreau serenade you. After all, who needs Prozac when there's the sweet, sweet melancholy of Elias Thoreau around?

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