Alt pop act Chavar Dontae has dropped infectious alt-pop anthem, “Rain”.
The West Coast artist splays mesmerizing pop layers with smooth RnB tones and riveting rock riffs on the new single. Dontae’s rich vocal sets a fitting narration to the uplifting track as the singer-songwriter implores listeners to fight through adversity to follow their dreams.
“Rain” is taken his new EP, Too Much, released on June 20th, 2025.
EP Stream: https://open.spotify.com/
Rock ‘N’ Load Talks Influences & Inspiration around his new EP:
Studying jazz and classical music in music school, plus Motown, electronic, New Wave, bands like Deftones and Living Colour, and hip-hop also feed my sound, so picking five was tough. These artists shaped my Too Much EP, where the music flowed naturally.
Prince:
Prince’s pop, synths, and guitar in Purple Rain and I Could Never Take The Place of Your Man ground me. Too Much blends synth pop, electronic drums, and guitar in a crisp mix, channelling his bold vibe.
Jimi Hendrix:
Hendrix’s songwriting and guitar in May This Be Love, with a special connection to me, hit deep. Rain, with Prince’s touch, mixes synth pop rock, raw solo, and alt chorus with dynamic shifts, feeling organic.
Michael Jackson:
Michael Jackson’s genre-bending Beat It inspired All White M1’s soulful groove and car culture energy. Its deep pocket bassline, cinematic synths, and tight mix, with Gnarls Barkley’s drive, blend past and present naturally.
Radiohead:
Radiohead’s KID A influenced me overall, but the intimacy of How to Disappear Completely shaped I’ll Be Fine. Just guitars and vocals in a raw mix, it flows pure, capturing honest emotion.
Gnarls Barkley:
Gnarls Barkley’s St. Elsewhere drives with soulful, eclectic energy. All White M1 and The Remedy tap that intensity with heavy percussion and deep pocket bassline in a bold mix, tying car culture drive to Jackson’s groove.
I’ve always looked at music as a borderless oasis of sound. These artists’ synthesis of genres influenced how I approach songwriting and production. The Too Much EP blends synth pop, rock, soul, and Alt R&B into my vision.
EP Stream: https://open.spotify.com/
Delving deeper into the story behind the track, Dontae explains: “Rain is a story about two people that have to overcome mindsets of mediocrity to follow their dreams. It paints a picture of self-belief in the midst of naysayers while chasing their true calling in life. The chorus gives the honesty of life raining on your parade but not to give up. That there’s going to be loads of pain but to keep going. Rain ends with a big guitar solo.”
Bringing a fresh confluence of indie-pop stylings to the fore, singer-songwriter Chavar Dontaemoulds a true melting pot of influences, drawing on his Brazilian roots, Midwest upbringing and subsequent move to Los Angeles. Dontae hones a catchy, bold soundscape, rooted in the consciousness of real-life scenarios, struggle and triumph.
After graduating from music school, Dontae made the move to Los Angeles, finding traction with the release of 2019 EP Keep My Cool. The tracks splayed vibrant synth pop with smooth RnB beats, with the genre-bending collection hitting the iTunes Alternative Chart in multiple countries.
The subsequent acclaim saw Dontae land a raft of high-profile support slots for Mike Posner, Marc Rebillet and Vinyl Theater, as well as sharing festival stages with Billie Eilish, Rise Against & Run The Jewels.
Late 2024 would see Dontae return with mesmerizing indie-folk offering “Too Much”, before “All White M1” wowed listeners with its soulful stylings and infectious hooks. Upcoming EP Too Much is a mesmerizing and diverse set of tracks, with Dontae seamlessly weaving his cultured musical backgrounds into the fabric of the delicious five-track.
The final stop before Chavar’s first collection in three years is “Rain”. The defiant and heartfelt output showcases Dontae’s unique blend of rich melodies, dazzling riffs and a positive, hopeful message.
“It’s gonna rain on your parade, but don’t you lose faith.”