(September 3, 2025) NYC-based alternative-R&B producer, singer, songwriter and indie label CEO Tomás Doncker is pleased to unveil the full album version of recent EP ‘Hard Is Hard’, released today, September 3rd 2025 via his label True Groove Records to DSPs and limited edition double EP vinyl. The ‘A Softer Side’ is an additional six tracks originally only found on his recent vinyl release, now released to DSPs as a full length album.
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.
Doncker’s previous works have seen praise from the likes of BBC, CNN, Huff Post, MOJO, Spin, Brooklyn Vegan, NPR’s ‘All Songs Considered’, Guitar World, Wonderland Magazine, All About Jazz, Paste, Rolling Stone and Blues Matters Magazine where he was a recent main cover feature.
‘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 an eleven-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.
“I’m a sucker for a concept album! The idea of a collection of songs telling a story via groove, atmosphere, and sometimes a focused narrative is thrilling to me. ‘Cinematic Soul’, you might say…The A side is nothing but straight up bangers, while the B-Side of the album (aka: ‘The Softer Side’), was crafted and sequenced in the spirit of the classic Isley Brothers albums B-sides from the 70’s- ‘Baby Making Music’ (if you know what I mean…), but there’s a few twists and surprises in there as well. As always our first and foremost intention is to seduce…We invite you all to take the ride…Join Us!”
Doncker was recently invited to support Fun Lovin’ Criminals on their extensive tour throughout the UK and Europe commencing September 4th 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!”
