Manchester indie rockers Weimar present ‘Soho Rain’, the first single from their debut album ‘Dancing On a Volcano’. A wistful torch ballad paying homage to a district of London, whose former culture has been long eroded. The song features a guest appearance on sax by rising artist Finola.
Inspired by the real-life stories of former Soho sex workers, it carries a strong message of inner resilience and the ability to overcome hardship, addiction and personal struggle. This is also an affectionate homage to the dying culture of old Soho and the many artistic and cultural movements that emerged from London’s seediest square mile.
Weimar (pronounced Vy-marr) is a four-piece made up of vocalist/ guitarist / songwriter Aidan Cross (The Bacillus, Black Light Mutants), bassist John Armstrong (The Speed Of Sound), drummer Anthony ‘Eddy’ Edwards (The Deceased) and guitarist Stephen Sarsen (Frank Is Dead, Playground).
“Soho Rain explores themes of nostalgia for the bygone past amidst gentrification and cultural erosion, and heartache, loss and love within the seedy backstreets of the urban metropolis – themes recurrent throughout Weimar’s album. The lyrics tell of a former Soho sex worker’s visit to her old haunting ground as the neighbourhood is slowly gentrified, reflecting on the hardship she faced during her years in the sex trade, the strength she subsequently gained and how the experience shaped the person she is today,” says Aidan Cross.
Comprised of 12 tracks exploring an eclectic range of styles and moods, the album will be released on June 24th via German Shepherd Records, following the 2-track single ‘The Girls of LA’ and New Order-esque B-side ‘Transatlantic Confusion’.
Produced by Adam Crossley and Chris Guest of Vibratone Sound Studio, the cover art for this single was created by acclaimed artist and writer BrianGorman. The art-rock quartet’s output embraces post-punk to no wave, cabaret, psychedelia, alternative folk and gothic rock, blended in a distinctive fusion.
Since forming in 2016 and hitting the live circuit, Louder Than War named Weimar amongst its 50 Bands To Watch for 2019, the year they debuted the single ‘John Doe / Curse the Songs’, followed by ‘Marvel To The State / Undesirable Master’. Having worked with legendary post-punk producer Simon ‘Ding’ Archer, they’ve also played with Tom Hingley (Inspiral Carpets) and goth legends Skeletal Family.
‘Dancing On A Volcano’ takes the listener on an unpredictable excursion with songs exploring socio-political and personal challenges of our modern age, with themes ranging from gentrification and cultural erosion, unsavoury characters masquerading as respectable public figures, the grit beneath the glamour of society, the contrast between polished façades and the decadence within. Through its maelstrom of musical styles and influences, this album paints a brutal and honest picture of human nature and culture in the context of the 2020s.
On June 3rd, ‘Soho Rain’ will be available exclusively via Bandcamp, where the ‘Dancing On A Volcano’ LP (out June 24th) can be pre-ordered. It will be released everywhere, including Spotify and Apple Music via German Shepherd Record and also on CD via Marlene’s Hat Records.
ALBUM CREDITS
Written by John Armstrong, Aidan Cross, Anthony Edwards, Stephen Sarsen, Johann Kloos
Produced, mixed & mastered by Adam Crossley and Chris Guest
Recorded at Vibratone Sound Studio, Manchester
Cover Art by Brian Gorman
John Armstrong – Bass
Aidan Cross – Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Anthony ‘Eddy’ Edwards – Drums
Johann Kloos – Lead Guitar
Bob Dinn – Trumpet and flugelhorn (‘The Sociopath’)
Finola – Saxophone (‘Soho Rain’, ‘Polished Decay’, ‘Hunter’s Moon’)
Chris Guest – Keyboards (‘Soho Rain’, ‘Faded Queen Of The Night’)
Loop-Aznavour – Theremin (‘I Smashed The Looking Glass’)
Susan O’Shea – Keyboards (‘The Hangers-On’)
Photos by Zac Gale
TRACK LIST
1. Prelude
2. Soho Rain
3. The Sociopath
4. I Smashed The Looking Glass
5. The Hangers-On
6. Arandora Star
7. Polished Decay
8. Hunter’s Moon
9. Faded Queen Of The Night
10. Nights In Spanish Harlem
11. Heaven On High Street East
12. The Tatterdemalions
“Perhaps the most important band to come out of Manchester since Magazine” – Aural Delights
“Emphatic execution of highly observant songs informed by life’s surreal and unnerving experiences… Guitars jangle, jolt and drive emotion in equal measure” – Louder Than War
“Awesome… a side order of alternative artifice, artistry and Avant Garde with your pop-rock” ~ Big Takeover Magazine
“An eclectic smorgasbord of elements weaved together in an un-assimilative refreshing feat of ingenuity” – AnR Factory
“Highly intriguing… riveting nostalgic air but equally an instant surge of fresh endeavour and tempting” ~ Ringmaster Review
Keep up with Weimar
Website | Store | Facebook | Bandcamp | Twitter | Instagram | Soundcloud | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music | Press contact
Keep up with German Shepherd Records
Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Twitter
Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Instagram | Spotify | LinkedIn | Email
