THE TRACK IS THE SECOND SINGLE TO DROP OFF GROMO’S DEBUT EP, THE VORTEX, WHICH WILL RELEASE NEXT JANUARY
"Chevy and I connected virtually during the pandemic when we collaborated on a trap style beat. Chevy has always been an MC I've admired and it was great bouncing ideas back and forth. I had the vocals for about three years before adding them to 'The Protagonist' track. I was inspired to add his vocals after watching Fred again..'s Boiler Room set. It threw me back to highschool days mixing for NYC high schoolers and ravers at Ultra, which was a challenge because at that time there was not a lot of hybridization of genres. It was either rap or dance music. 'The Protagonist' is a live mashup of both." - Gromo
"When Gromo first hit me up about working together on the track I knew we could create a banger. The flow came together super quick and I’m very excited for this track to be heard by both of our fanbases!" - Chevy Woods
Genre-bending DJ, producer, and film enthusiast Gromo wants to show listener’s the depth of his mind.
The New-York based artist has spent his career improving his otherworldly sound and skill set, an eclectic talent informed by a diverse passion for all different kinds of art. He has studied at NYU’s prestigious Clive Davis Institute; traveled the world performing Ultra events in Miami, Europe, and throughout Asia; and collaborated with artists such as pop singer Rhea Raj and producer/singer-songwriter Hush.
Adopted from Guatemala at a young age and raised in New York, Gromo was introduced to an extensive library of music. This early music education allowed him to foster an eclectic music taste and carve out a distinct artistic identity. The muli-facted artist’s love for hard rock and heavy metal acts such as AC/DC, Mötley Crüe, Slipknot and System of a Down; gritty 90s New York hip-hop artists such as Mobb Deep and Wu-Tang Clan; dubstep legends like Skrillex; and genre films solidified in him the desire to translate visceral emotions and narratives in his production.
Now, Gromo is revving up toward his debut EP The Vortex - a five-track collection that promises to evolve the producer’s sound into new sonic terrain by imbuing elements of horror and science fiction movies into a deeply personal story. As a result, he’s concocted an immersive, cinematic, genre-traversing EP filled with deep emotional resonance.
Listeners got their first taste of The Vortex with the EP’s self-titled single - an epic, mesmerizing cut inspired by the films of David Cronenberg. The track blends analog synths (specifically the Moog Sub 37 and Moog Grandmother) with sci-fi sonic textures and elements of hip-hop, dubstep, and drum n’ bass.
The single was released alongside a spellbinding short film, created from AI by digital creator Deadhanded, that depicts a dystopian New York City in 2028, when chaos has taken over due to nothing being done to help mental health or addiction.
Today, the artist unveils “The Protagonist,” a high-energy, bass house collaboration with rapper Chevy Woods (who has garnered support from and shared the stage with artists such as Snoop Dogg, ASAP Mob, Joey Bada$$, and was recruited by rapper Wiz Khalifa to join his record label Taylor Gang).
“The Protagonist” is the first collaboration between the two artists, who originally connected during the pandemic to create a trap single. Serving as a seamless bridging of genres, the track combines an infectious four-on-the-floor beat and deep bass wubs with compelling bars from Chevy Woods, a mixture that blurs the lines between hip-hop and bass house.
The track kicks off with eerie, cinematic synth arpeggios and ethereal, backing synth pads before introducing the track’s vocals. Then, it quickly transitions into a hard-hitting bassline accompanied by pulverizing kicks that display Gromo’s penchant for unique sound design - a reflection of his love for tinkering with different synthesizers and musical components to actualize his ideal sonic vision.
“The Protagonist” releases alongside a second short film, created again from AI by digital creator Deadhanded. Diving deeper into the Gromo’s fictional, dystopian society, it shows the various side effects of the world’s drug trade. It calls viewers to think deeply about the legalization of drugs in the United States, and why certain drugs are legal or illegal. Told through kaleidoscopic visuals that pay homage to sci-fi and horror films, the various short videos for The Vortex perfectly complement the artistic world Gromo is creating.
Braedon Gromek, known professionally as Gromo, is a NYC based songwriter/ producer/ DJ and a graduate of NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music. He started his career organizing and performing at under 18 parties in some of New York’s hottest night clubs including Pacha, Lavo, and Riff Raffs. Through those experiences, he gained entry into the EDM festival scene. At age 16, Gromo was the youngest DJ to play at Ultra Music Festival in Miami followed by multiple international events in Europe and Asia. Gromo’s natural interest and curiosity in music developed into a passion. Growing up he listened to his father’s eclectic music collection and would analyze songs, breaking them down to their most basic elements: rhythm, melody, and harmony. This deep-rooted knowledge of music’s building blocks set him on his creative journey and the story of Gromo began. Influenced by hip-hop, heavy metal, electronic music, and film, Gromo molded his own sonic collage. He believes he can learn from all genres, making his music more compelling. “Song ideas can come from anywhere. I’m inspired by people, places, and cultures.” When writing music, his philosophy is to keep songs simple, not be predictable and always add an element of surprise.