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Marky Edison

Marky Edison

Solar Corona @ The Seabright Arms, London (Live Review)

 

Solar Corona

The Seabright Arms, London

Words & Pics by Captain Stavros 

Suppose one, much like you, were to reminisce about what’s synonymous with Portugal.  Rarely would one’s thoughts fall upon a Captain Lou Albano lookalike donning a ‘Black Wizards’ t-shirt with a guitar resting across their barrel chest as it’s furiously struck.  Enter José Roberto Gomes of Solar Corona.  We had the distinct pleasure of experiencing what a soul might feel like whilst fleeing the human body in the filthy basement of a pub with a too-low ceiling this fine bank holiday past.  If you, like us, have been living under a rock for the past nine years, you might not’ve been aware of this interdimensional cabal of musical warlocks joined by Lorr No (Nuno Loureiro) hitching a ride as their Dubmechanic.  Let’s dip into the inky ooze that was this night’s spectacular performance.

Like Tesla’s Ludicrous Mode and the gig was blast-off, 0-60 in 2.3 seconds.  José chimes in at the start of a largely instrumental set, 'this is our last tour so let's make it good'.  The other two times went something like this ‘this’ll be our last song’ and ‘we really have to go and catch our train!’  It was later confirmed after their set that they indeed had no immediate plans to tour for the rest of 2023 and that the train was leaving the station (not a euphemism).  Turn that frown upside down kiddos, there’s still a healthy back catalogue of tunes at your disposal.  The latest of which is their new album, Pace, and it absolutely slaps.  We’d recommend ‘Thrust’, our favourite off the album and of the set.

Largely described as ‘psyche-rock’, whatever that means anymore, there were certainly elements of ‘80s hair metal, metal-metal, and prog-rock meets dark wave floating around.  The sounds were as relentless as the flashing lights in their faces.  It sincerely comes as a great surprise that none of the band members stroked out to the flashing lights.  There were contortion back-bending bridges a-plenty from guitarist Rodrigo Carvalho but we couldn’t take our eyes off Jorge Esteves who played the drums like a creature stirring a cauldron.  Not to mention José’s little moustache dancing between his upper lip and nose like a magical pickle.  Throughout the set we kept checking our earplugs were still in because the sound was so -mega-.  My mates would look over so often and see my mouth moving, laugh and then yell, ‘WHAT?!’ Tinnitus-ville, population: everyone at this gig.

The gig was excellent, but the slow tracks dragged if we’re being honest, but on the flipside great opportunity to hit the head.  We’d have to say whoever designed the light show might’ve needed a re-up for their healthy dose of Ritalin as it was completely bonkers, totally unhinged and a complete distraction.  It’s hard to understand how they played through but that just speaks to the mechanical mastery of the troupe.  The Guardian called this band, ‘ones to watch’, we’d agree.  The anticipation before their set, and after Bloke’s, was palpable.  Best described as a band who’re like the back wheels of a car sliding out on a greasy roundabout; terrifying, but once you get the hang of it absolutely thrilling.

 

 

 

 

 

Single That Mingle 20230421

 

 

Single That Mingle 

 

With Captain Stavros

Sir Chloe

 

‘Salivate’

 

I Am The Dog out May 19 via Atlantic Records

 

Another mouthwatering tune.

 

 

 

 

Caesar Spencer

 

‘Get Out Into The Pigs’

 

Get Out Into Yourself out April 28 via New Radio Records

 

Feels cathartic.

 

 

 

 

Memorials

 

‘Tramps’

 

Against The Bomb out May 12 via State51 Records

 

Somewhere between Post-Punk and New-Wave, we like it.

 

 

 

 

Cable Ties

 

‘Time For You’

 

All Her Plans Out June 23 via Merge Records

 

Make time for this single.

 

 

 

 

Will Butler + Sister

 

‘Willows’

 

Well, here’s a familiar voice we haven’t heard in a while, not too shabby.

 

 

 

 

Alex Lahey

 

‘They Wouldn’t Let Me In’

 

The Answer Is Always Yes Out May 19 Via Liberation Records

 

We’ll let you in, you little weirdo!

 

 

 

 

Barrie

 

‘Empty’

 

5K Out Now Via Winspear Records

 

After 4+ weeks of forever rain we feel empty but cautiously optimistic after this snazzy new track.

 

 

 

 

Holy Wave

 

‘Cowprint’

 

Out Now Via Suicide Squeeze

 

A welcoming easy breezy tune to whittle the day away to.

 

 

 

 

MADMADMAD

 

‘Do You’ ft Shambles

 

Out Now Via Bad Vibrations

 

A great tune that keeps you guessing, what’ll you hear next? As the samples that make the whole keep stacking.

 

 

 

 

Pip Bloom

 

‘Tiger’

 

If you’re running a fashionable boutique in Shoreditch, you might want this on your playlist.

 

 

 

 

Media Giant

 

‘Son of a Son’

 

Market Research Out Now Via Brace Yourself Records

 

A catchy tune with no weakness that won’t have you crying on the weekends.

 

 

 

 

Maya Ongaku

 

‘Nuska’

 

Approach to Anima Out May 26 Via GuruGuru Brain

 

As elegant as it is soothing.

 

 

 

 

Angelica Rockne

 

‘The Rose Society’

 

The Rose Society Out May 5 Via Loose Records

 

A great tune to enjoy a damn fine cup of coffee to.

 

 

 

 

Blondshell

 

‘Salad’

 

Out now via Partisan Records

 

A bit dark with a lighter hook.

 

 

 

 

Sam Burton

 

‘The Long Way Around’

 

Dear Departed Out July 14 Via Partisan Records

 

A voice, and song, from yesteryear and we’re absolutely enthralled.

 

 

 

 

The Paper Kites

 

‘Till the Flame Turns Blue’

 

Slide guitar is like liquid gold.

 

 

 

 

The Early Purple

 

‘Summer Hide’

 

EP Out May 12

 

The soft finger picking really sets the bass up.

 

 

 

 

Nice Biscuit

 

‘I Feel Love’

 

Who doesn’t like a cover done right?

 

 

 

Witch

‘Avalanche of Love’

 

Zango Out June 2 Via Desert Daze Sound

 

Walk around with this tune pumping and blammo; you’ve got your very own theme music.

 

 

 

 

Crumb

 

‘Crushxd’

 

New genre defiant tunes, we’re intrigued and certain you’ll be too.

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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