Sonner EP Launch

 Saturday 3rd September

After a few minor setbacks the much anticipated Sonner EP launch had finally arrived, and I was excited! The Little Room at Independent, Sunderland, was host for the night, and there was already a good crowd taking shape. First up was Fatfield-based singer/songwriter Black Goose. There was quite a bit of narration and I was a little apprehensive, as I've often witnessed solo acoustic artists struggle against such noise. But this wasn't to be the case. This guy had a really distinctive, unusual and clear vocal, which dominated the room. His second song, for me, was very reminiscent of  the Joy Division classic 'Love Will Tear us Apart', a song which I happen to love. Next number 'Polka Dot' was introduced as an acoustic version of a song by the artists' former band, You and Yourself. The set was quite varied, with songs different in both tempo and beat, and boy could he play guitar.

It was now time for headliners Sonner to take the stage. Opening with new song 'Back to the Border', they soon had the up-for-it crowd onside. The band are a four piece from Sunderland and surrounding County Durham, who describe themselves as "rock and roll with heart and soul", and that comment describes their music to a tee. They then played  'The Call', the first track on their new self-titled EP. Going on to play the crowd-pleasing 'Horizon', which didn't make the final cut, much to my surprise. They went on to play another favourite of mine, 'We Go Forth Tonight', dedicating it to David Burn, former Detroit Social Club frontman and producer of the EP, who had came along on the night to catch the lads live. The brooding 'Prison Man', the second song on the EP, followed. This is my top Sonner song of choice (not least of all because it reminds me of  Depeche Modes' 'Personal Jesus'). By now both audience and band were in high spirits, and singer Mick left the stage and ploughed into the crowd, causing a great stir, especially when he adopted a real rock stance and brandished his guitar above his head, whilst hammering away on the strings! It had taken a while for this night to happen, but, in the end it was well worth it. These lads have really worked hard, have some great anthemic tunes and are really entertaining. I would suggest that you buy the EP (available from http://www.amazingtunes.com/users/sonner) and try to catch them next time they play live.