Sofasonic
Sofasonic | |
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 Left-to-right: Niall Turner, Michael Wilson, Elliot Manarin (slightly obscured), SJ Manarin, performing at Rock in the Priory in Ware on 20 July 2019 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Harlow, Essex, England |
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| Years active |
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| Website | www |
| Members |
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| Past members |
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Sofasonic are a British rock band formed in Harlow, Essex, in 2007. The band consists of Michael Wilson (lead vocals, guitar), Niall Turner (guitar), Sarah-Jane (SJ) Manarin (bass guitar, backing vocals) and Elliot Manarin (drums).
They have released one EP (Supernova Sound Implosion), one album (Get Made) and two singles (Whisky Queen, Souls). They are currently working on album number 2 for release in 2021.
History
Early years (2007-2010)
SJ formed the band in 2007 and after working with Elliot for a couple of years he joined the band as the drummer. Two fellow colleagues joined with Penny on lead vocals and Steve on guitar. After a while, it was felt another guitarist was needed with Gavin joining to complete the line-up as a folk-based 5-piece. This line-up continued until early 2010 when Steve left the band to pursue other musical interests.
Supernova Sound Implosion and a new singer (2010-2013))
2010 continued on a downward spiral for the band with Penny leaving abruptly in June 2010 causing the band to consider their future together. Elliot had known Michael from playing football together since 2009 for Watton-at-Stone and upon hearing the news that they needed a vocalist, Michael suggested coming along to help. An audition with the band followed and the lineup was complete again! Work began on altering the songs to suit a male voice and through that process, the sound of the band changed to a much more indie rock vibe. A judge at the Harlow Square battle of the bands commented "like a cross between Manic Street Preachers and Stereophonics" which was high praise indeed! Off the back of a controversial defeat in the battle of the bands, it pushed the band on to work on their debut EP. Supernova Sound Implosion was released in early 2012 to local acclaim and really confirmed the band’s move away from their early folk-based sound. A headline support slot underneath the Spin Doctors capped off a fantastic time for the band, before another uncertain period when Gavin left the band causing a dark time for Michael and nearly led to him leaving shortly after with the band taking a break for a couple of months.
Get Made and the final line-up (2013–2019)
A short period as a 3-piece was a trying time for the band. With Gavin a big part of the songwriting and the band overall now gone, this gave Michael the opportunity to present some ideas to the band. The start of the "Get Made" album had begun but they all felt that live performances were still lacking. Niall joined the band, first playing with them at DragonFest '13 wowing the crowds with their new sound.
Sofasonic had started to move away from the indie rock sound at this point, with the blues rock sound that is so apparent with them now starting to come out in their writing and their performances.
With the line-up now completed, the band pushed on with writing the first album and getting their music out to the wider public. Epic local festivals such as Wilkestock, Rock at the Castle, and the famous Hertford Musical Mystery Tour were performed at, and the good times were finally starting for the band.
It took until January 2017 to get the album recorded at Crooks Hall Studios, with the band staying on location for the first time really helping with the creative process. It was finished just in time for their maiden European Tour in April 2017.
The tour consisted of a 6-date, 10 day tour playing at Jeugdhuis UzUz in Gistel, t'Opkikkertje in Bruges, A&O Aachen in Aachen, ClinkHostel in Amsterdam, Generator in Copenhagen, culminating in a fantastic final night at Sticky Fingers in Gothenburg. Redwire, BEUK, Mother Gaia and Eliza were there for various points on the tour which was a great musical adventure!
The official launch of the 'Get Made' album happened on 4 August 2017 at The Hertford House hotel. Supported by Jonny Hollis and High Wire Brigade, a sellout night where Sofasonic played the entire album back to back as it is written on the album.
'Whiskey Queen' and 'Souls' were released as singles with Whiskey Queen proving to be very popular.
With the album out in the open, Sofasonic took to the streets gigging throughout 2018 and 2019 with a huge highlight playing the main stage at Goatfest 2019.
The slow down (2020-2023)
2020 started with Sofasonic looking to repeat their 2017 European Tour kicking off in Belgium but world events have postponed those plans. With all gigs cancelled for the foreseeable future, Sofasonic retreated to the studio and started work on their next album. As restrictions relaxed, a 'less is more' approach to gigging was adopted by the band as personal life events took more focus.
The new E.P. (2024-present)
The progression of the band's sound that started during the previous album has continued and blues rock is very much at the forefront of the music Sofasonic are currently writing. With the band more settled, 2024 was the time to get the new sound recorded and out to the world! The as-yet-untitled E.P. was recorded over 4 days in June at the quite amazing Brighton Electric Studios [1]. The band worked with Matt Pugh [2] and immersed themselves into the new sound. With Matt's help, this has the band sounding the biggest they ever have! Plans to release at the end of Summer '24 are underway!
Band members
Current members
Former members
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Touring members
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Timeline
$wgTimelinePloticusCommand is set correctly.Discography
Studio albums
- Supernova Sound Implosion (2012)
- Get Made (2017)
- TBC (2024)
References
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sofasonic. |
[1] https://brightonelectric.co.uk/
[2] https://www.instagram.com/mattpughaudio/
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