NYC-based alternative-R&B producer, singer, songwriter and indie label CEO Tomás Doncker is pleased to unveil his new EP ‘Hard Is Hard’, released July 4th 2025 via his label True Groove Records to DSPs and limited edition double EP vinyl, with an unreleased ‘soft side’. 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 ground-breaking No Wave and Punk Funk bands The Contortions and Defunkt, international touring, recording and song-writing 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.
His latest EP ‘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!”
Ahead of the release of the EP came its next single, a soulful reworking of Motörhead’s ‘Ace of Spades’, on June 13th 2025. Discussing his decision to cover the single, he explains, “Motörhead…Lemmy…Ace of Spades. Who doesn’t love this song? I have since I first heard it many lifetimes ago. A few years back, I was in a car, and it came on the radio – and it spoke to me in a very different way than it ever had before. “
“This was the moment when the idea of covering it popped into my head. When I read the lyrics, it became clear to me what it was that was tugging at me…The Blues. I realised that Motörhead had changed the spirit of Son House, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, and the Delta Blues storytelling tradition and sped it up to create one of the quintessential rock and roll anthems of all time. It became obvious that I had to sing this song. I saw myself in it.”
Tomás is heading out for some solos gigs and festivals during July & August before supporting the “Fun Loving Criminals” on their autumn tour. For full information please check out his socials:
Website: https://tomasdoncker.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TomasDonckerMusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomasdonckerofficial / https://www.instagram.com/tomasdonckerandtruegroove
