Tomás Doncker

When music is created with a cause, it is heard with a different intent. Some artists find their inspiration through love and happiness while others find it in times of anguish and social upheaval. Hailing from New York is world renowned blues artist Tomás Doncker with his upcoming album, The Mess We Made. This racially charged and paradigm-shifting record is a testament to his unwavering political views and decades of work in the music industry. "It all started on the day of the Charleston Massacre," explains Doncker. "The heinous events which occurred on June 17th, 2015 pushed me over the edge. I was overwhelmed with rage, hatred, confusion and disillusionment... so, in a selfish attempt to maintain my own sanity, I did the only thing I could do -- write about it."

Four days after the massacre, Doncker had already written four songs and within ten days, had recorded all eight tracks that would comprise The Mess We Made. Writing this album was a cathartic experience for Doncker and will be for his listeners upon its release on November 3rd. It not only captures the harrowing realities of modern America but also serves as a beacon of awareness showing that there are still artists creating music with a message.

Doncker's musical history began in New York's downtown "No Wave" scene of the early 1980s where he was involved with groups such as James Chance & The Contortions, Defunkt, and J. Walter Negro & The Loose Jointz, just to name a few. Skilled in vocals, guitar, bass and keys, his talents eventually led him on an international tour, recording in Japan with jazz pianist Masabumi Kikuchi as well as producing studio and songwriting sessions with Bootsy Collins, Yoko Ono, The Itals and Grammy Award-winning producer, Prince Charles Alexander. Since then, Doncker contiued to collaborate and work with iconic artists such as Ivan Neville, Bonnie Raitt, Corey Glover of Living Colour, Amp Fiddler of Parliament and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, Yusef Komunyakaa.

His vast talents began to find their way to the ears of many cultures and in 2010, Doncker performed for the first time in China in front of an audience of over 100,000 as a headlining act for the Shanghai Folk Festival. All of his most recent work as a singer-songwriter and producer is focusing more on a broader musical vision that he dubbed global-soul. Inspired by the musical styles of East and West Africa as well as the Caribbean, Doncker's sound is a modern retelling of timeless world genres.

Doncker's talents do not end in the recording studio. On July 8th, 2014, he released a full length tribute album titled Moanin' At Midnight: The Howlin' Wolf Project which received widespread acclaim and is now being developed into a multimedia performance concert. His musical prowess is pervasive to all avenues of art as he freely expresses moments of anguish in the hopes of bettering American culture.

While Doncker is already an extremely accomplished artist, The Mess We Made promises to be his most impactful creation to date, drawing from the peril of America and reaching out to those who have experienced it the most. Though touching on the darker side of humanity, the track "Church is Burning Down" has an upbeat, gospel-groove style sound that is uplifting in cadence though heavy in lyrics. Doncker is a musical activist and The Mess We Made is his manifesto.

Website: https://tomasdoncker.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TomasDonckerMusic
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/tomasdoncker - The Huffington Post

Known for his strong political activism, Doncker’s latest EPK features eight tracks leading with “Same Ol Dolls,” a hip hop inspired blues song; followed by the impassioned “Church is Burning Down,” the first single of the release.

One of the most poignant tracks on the release is “Don’t Let Go” addressing issues of homelessness and hunger. Also notable is the soulful rendition of U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.”

The release ends on a hopeful, more optimistic note with the gospel inspired “Time Will Tell” encouraging us to unite for positive change.

The talented musician, singer/songwriter, Dancer was a key figure in New York’s “No Wave” downtown scene in the 1980s, incorporating blues, jazz, punk and funk. He soon expanded his reach internationally recording in Japan with jazz pianist Masabumi Kikuchi, as well as collaborating with Boosty Collins, Yoko Ono, The Itals and Prince Charles Alexander. Over the years, he has worked with music icons Ivan Neville on his solo release “Thanks,” Bonnie Raitt, Meshell Ndegeocello and Living Colour lead singer Corey Glover.

In 2010, Doncker performed for the first time in China as a headline act at the Shanghai Folk Festival, part of the Shanghai World Expo, and in 2014 he collaborated with legendary, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa on "Big Apple Blues,” released via True Groove Records, of which he is also the founder.

Doncker is clearly a rare talent in today’s arts and culture scene, providing an important voice in our volatile times. Looking forward to experiencing his message “live” when he tours this spring. - Jetset Magazine

Admittedly rock is my first love, by default that also means I have a strong appreciation for blues music. Without the blues there are no Rolling Stones or Beatles, without blues there would be no Elvis, without Elvis, well, you get the picture…

Tomas Doncker has been labeled as a “prime mover” in New York City’s blues scene in the early eighties. He played with groups such as James Chance & The Contortions, Defunkt, J. Walter Negro & The Loose Jointz and many more. Eventually he went international, touring and recording in Japan, and producing studio and songwriting sessions with Boosty Collins, Yoko Ono, Grammy nominated Reggae vocal group The Itals, and Grammy-winning producer Prince Charles Alexander, to name just a few. Since then, Doncker has continued to work with an A-list of iconic artists including Ivan Neville (on his solo album “Thanks”), Bonnie Raitt, Meshell Ndegeocello, Living Colour lead singer Corey Glover, former P-Funk keyboardist Amp Fiddler, 2013 Grammy award nominee Shamekia Copeland, and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa.

In 2014 he release Moanin' at Midnight: The Howlin’ Wolf Project, which received a big response. His latest release, Big Apple Blues (reviewed here) is his latest release. I got a chance to send some questions to this blues legend and what I got back was exactly what I expected and that’s “real” answers on the new album, New York and what it takes to make it in the blues world.

(Examiner) You are an icon in the industry, why did you make this album, why now?
(Tomas Doncker) An ICON? Well,Thank you that's Very kind... Why now you ask? Why not NOW! Yusef & I had been knocking around the idea of doing a "Modern urban" Blues album for awhile,and with the momentum "Moanin' at Midnight" (The Howlin' Wolf Project) had created,we figured the time was right.

Where does your inspiration come from? A lot of your songs are about New York City. After all these years what is it you like best about the city?
I can be inspired by anything and everything! My favorite thing about NYC is the endless Amount of authentic culture all around us. A new "Flavor" is literally a train ride away.

What is your favorite venue or memory (playing) in New York City?
Wow...So many great memories...one that Immediately comes to mind was performing Howlin' Wolf's "Backdoor Man" before a capacity crowd at NYC SUMMERSTAGE in Central Park 2 summer's ago...Thrilling!

Any words of advice for someone just starting off in the Blues circuit?
Don't get involved unless you are willing to Sacrifice damn near everything for the sake
Of the music...And I really mean that!

What would you like your fans or first listeners to take away from Big Apple Blues?
Hopefully they come away from it with a sense of the magic and mystery of the city-and our place in the scheme of things. All things. - Examiner