St. Lucia is the recording name of Jean-Philip Grobler, a South African-born, German-based musician from Johannesburg. He is associated with alternative dance, synthpop, electronic music and indie-influenced electronica.

Early life and training

Grobler grows up performing with the Drakensberg Boys Choir School in South Africa. When the choir is not touring, it stays in a mountain enclave where he learns a broad range of music, including Bach and minimalist opera. He later says he sings along to Michael Jackson as an infant, and as a young teenager he moves away from classical music after finding pop’s direct emotional style more immediate.

Career

He eventually leaves South Africa for England and spends three years studying music in Liverpool. After that he moves to New York City and begins work on the tracks that become his self-titled debut release on Neon Gold. His first album is described as part of a wider run of releases from Neon Gold, a label that had previously launched or helped launch acts including Passion Pit, Ellie Goulding and The Naked & Famous.

Sound

St. Lucia’s music is characterised by atmospheric electronic pop with shimmering, dreamy synths. The project’s sound reflects Grobler’s travel between South Africa, England and the United States, and combines pop melodies with electronic textures.