Unsigned Spotlight: Sofasonic
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Elliot Manarin - Drummer
SJ Manarin - Bassist and backing vocals
Niall Turner - Guitarist and backing vocals
Michael Wilson - Guitarist and lead vocals
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Sofasonic? How long has the band been around?
Michael used to be in a few bands mucking about with friends, but first serious band was Fugazirum, then Selahdore, and currently Sofasonic.
Niall was in Feathertop before joining Sofasonic.
SJ was in a band called Karma Truffle!
Elliot was in a few bands and still comes together with his band Alstavasser for random reunion gigs!
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
The name has always been the same since the start back in 2007 with a very different line up. It represented a strong, fast paced sound in a laid back way which still rings true 10 years on.
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
For the Get Made album, Michael brought the initial 'demo' tracks to the band usually just guitar and vocals. We would then work through adding the various parts. It's quite a dynamic process and works quite well. Lyrics are usually just Michael but the whole band throw a subject at him if he needs inspiration.
This whole album, all of the songs have quite a dark meaning about the struggles of life, be that physical or mental. It's about the hope of overcoming anything that can be thrown at you. Musically they give off a different vibe which is exactly how we wanted them to sound.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
We've been inspired by a heavy riff-based, bluesy type sound. A complete departure from the earlier years of 90's Indie inspiration. The ones that kicked it off for us were Rival Sons, and as the album progressed bands like Crobot and Queens of the Stone Age can be heard influencing our writing.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
For the whole band music has been a huge part of our lives. Michael has been singing since the age of 3 in a choir and with a musical family, encouragement was never far away. Gomez and Queens of the Stone Age really got the 'band vibe' for him. SJ's dad was a guitarist in a few bands, in particular Small Faces, and taught her the bass and she hasn't looked back since! Elliot's dad played the drums in a blues band and he took up the drums at a young age and has always been playing since school. Niall was surrounded by the 70's and 80's era of English punk music and that transpired into emulating the guitar riffs from that era.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …
As a band we're quite relaxed pre-show and I think that comes across in our performances. Yes there is a nervous energy but we use that to put on a good show - well hopefully! Elliot will usually warm up for a few minutes on a drumpad, and Michael runs through a few scales vocally (alongside a wee dram of Whiskey!) but other than that the focus is on chilling out and watching any other bands that are on.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
We've been lucky to have a few. Supporting the Spin Doctors in our hometown and playing some fantastic gigs as part of the annual Hertford Musical Mystery Tour have been great, but the biggest highlight is the fact we have a European Tour in April this year to promote our first album 'Get Made'. It's something we've driven towards and without doubt will be our biggest highlight to date!
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Wow, there are so many that we'd all like to tour with. It'll tell you alot about our separate musical tastes!! Deaf Havana (Niall), The 1975 (Niall), Bruce Springsteen (Niall), Queens of the Stone Age (Michael), Gomez (Michael), Jimi Hendrix (everyone!), Royal Blood (Elliot), Band of Skulls (Elliot), Third Eye Blind (SJ) and The Goo Goo Dolls (SJ) to name a few! I think The Beatles would have been phenomenal to have toured with just from the crowds - and the noise! - they used to have. Supporting Oasis at Knebworth would have been an amazing gig!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Network, network, network! That's been the biggest driver for the uplift in the band over the past couple of years. We've made some great friends and have increased the power of what we're doing. Whilst the band has been in existance for 10 years, the current line up is only 3 years old and we really feel like we've got the perfect formula. We work well together in our writing and on stage, and we all want the same thing. With the new album arriving in June, this is definitely just the start.
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