‘The Distance Within Our Bodies’, the new album by Newcastle screamo trio Solanas, is a result of the band’s unrelenting DIY ethic. Created and produced in their home-studio, a very select few hands have had input in the final release. Instead it showcases Solanas’ dedication and drive, and the subsequent intensity in sound. The record also allows the band to discuss queer theory and identity politics, delivering a cathartic and open experience.
“‘The Distance Within Our Bodies’ was written between October 2014 and April 2015, beginning when our new bassist, Stef, joined the band,” guitarist and vocalist Ollie Doe explains of the creative process. “Straight away, Stef made the song writing process much more fluid, and definitely brought his own sound and influence to the table, which pushed us to move in directions we hadn’t thought of before.”
“‘Stay Silver’ was the first song we wrote, with the exception of the re-recording of ‘What We Were / What We Are / What We Want To Be’, and we immediately knew that these new songs were going to be special. The album certainly shows the fact that all three of us listen to a pretty diverse range of music; there’s influences from Sigur Ros through Placebo through to Saetia, and beyond, throughout the record.”
“The unifying lyrical concept, which came together rather accidentally, was one of searching for a solid identity that never really materialises, particularly in relation to queer identities and the marginalisation of LGBTQ people today,” Doe continues, providing an insight into the band’s message. “The latter particularly comes up in ‘Pink Lakes’, which was written shortly after the tragic suicide of trans teenager Leelah Alcorn.”
“Other songs, like ‘Hangnail’ and ‘Coping’ are more indirect and personal, but still reflected my own point of view on soul-searching within the queer community and the isolation and confusion that followed. Hopefully it’s an album that can make people outside of those communities think, and those within them feel at home.”
Solanas will release ‘The Distance Within Our Bodies’ digitally on the 17th July 2015. In the meantime you can stream the record exclusively in full below, and pre-order the record if you like what you hear.Â