We recently had the splendid opportunity, to check out the EP, “Hard Is Hard”, via True Groove Records, from NYC-based alternative-R&B producer, singer, songwriter and indie label CEO Tomás Doncker. You can listen to “Hard Is Hard” on Spotify Here, Apple Music Here.

“Hard Is Hard “ from Tomás Doncker & The True Groove All – Stars is a brilliantly woven collection of soulful songs that are perfectly on point.

Tomás Doncker has long been a prime mover on the New York music, arts and culture scenes. From the early 1980s, as a member of groundbreaking No Wave and Punk Funk bands The Contortions and Defunkt, international touring, recording and songwriting collaborations with luminaries such as Bootsy Collins, Meshell Ndegeocello, Ivan Neville, The Specials and the legendary Ms. Patti Smith, to helming his own band, The True Groove All-Stars, Tomás has established himself as a cross-genre innovator without peer.

‘Hard Is Hard’ was produced with James Dellatacoma (Bill Laswell, Herbie Hancock) and mastered by Michael Fossenkemper (Paul Weller, LL Cool J, Miles Davis) and includes guest instrumentation from Frank Benbini (UB40, Fun Lovin’ Criminals), Adriano Rossetti-Bonell (UB40) and The Specials Horns. With elements of soul, blues, funk, rock and some jazz thrown in for good measure, ‘Hard Is Hard’ is a five-track masterclass in Doncker’s innate knack for genre fluidity. The EP lyrically explores themes of racial inequality, social injustice and keeping a positive mental attitude through hard times.

On the EP, Doncker says, “Things are difficult for everyone right about now. As a songwriter I’m very fortunate to be able to have so many songs to sing, to hopefully strike a match in the darkness of these uncertain times. This music has been blessed by the contributions of some dear friends – true legends, and we’re grateful to share it now, with you…join us!

, artfully takes music to another level, with his ability to make music that listeners can instantly connect with .

From the opening track “Do Or Die”, we were instantly hanging on every well formed melody and lyric.

Solid tracks such as “Rich People Problems, and the stunning title track, “Hard Is Hard” showcase Tomás Doncker, at his absolute best . If you are not dancing by the end of the EP….. listen to it until you are .

Doncker was recently invited to support Fun Lovin’ Criminals on their extensive tour throughout the UK and Europe alongside his band, The True Groove All-Stars, which include members of The Specials Horns.

On the tour, he says, “I’m so honoured, and excited to have been invited to be a part of the upcoming Fun Lovin’ Criminals fall UK/EU tour. They’ve really made me feel welcome as a member of the international / UK music community, and I am forever grateful for this opportunity. It’s gonna be a lot of fun for sure!“

You need to stop what you are doing immediately and check out the amazing new EP, “Hard Is Hard” , from Tomás Doncker

LIVE DATES:

July 12th 2025 – Cosmopolitan Arts Festival, Leicester

July 25th 2025 – Barefoot Festival, Leicester

July 27th 2025 – High Tide Festival, Twickenham

August 1st 2025 – Le Pub, Newport

August 6th 2025 – Peggy’s Skylight, Nottingham 

September 4th 2025 – Sub 89, Reading (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

September 5th 2025 – Waterfront, Norwich (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

September 6th 2025 – The Garage, London (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

September 7th 2025 – Concorde 2, Brighton (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

September 18th 2025 – Arena, Torquay (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

September 19th 2025 – Thekla, Bristol (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

September 28th 2025 – Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

October 2nd – La Madeleine, Brussels (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

October 5th 2025 – Werk2, Leipzig (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

October 6th 2025 – Hole44, Berlin (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

October 7th 2025 – Hirsch, Nurnberg (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

October 8th 2025 – Backstage Halle, Munchen (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

October 10th 2025 – Das Rind, Russelsheim (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

October 11th 2025 – Opderschmeltz, Dudelange (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

October 12th 2025 – Patronaat, Haarlem (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

October 14th 2025 – La Salle des Fêtes, Bordeaux (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)

October 30th 2025 – Lucerna Music Bar, Prague (Supporting Fun Lovin’ Criminals)