Solarcade is the musical partnership between vocalist Paul Van and guitarist Pomilla. They are musically comparable to Depeche Mode and the Raveonettes in their use of outside musicians to fill out their sound. As a result, Van and Pomilla’s eight-year collaboration has yielded some achingly beautiful music. Their cinematic, nuanced compositions have attracted the attention of The Killers’ Brandon Flowers, who personally selected Solarcade to open select dates for his band’s arena tour in 2007.
Van, whose baritenor voice has been compared to that of Peter Gabriel draws much of his musical inspiration from an interesting source. The singer, who emigrated from South Africa at the age of 16, describes his childhood: "Growing up, my archaeologist mother was always talking about different cultures and ways of living while my brother, an expert on Shakespeare, would be talking about the timeless truths and universal themes of Shakespeare. One of the reasons I am drawn to composing and performing is that it allows me to explore these different life themes and possibilities and to share them.”
Pomilla, the other half of Solarcade, hails from Houston, TX. Pomilla's guitar style has been compared with ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons and U2’s The Edge; these greats also happen to be two of his biggest inspirations. Formerly on the fast track to a career with a bachelors in criminal justice and working death row in Texas as a Correctional Officer, Pomilla could not silence the riffs that played in his head. "They just come to me, and I have to play them out until I get them down.”
It is a testament to the vibrancy of L.A.’s music scene that two driven musicians from different corners of the world found in each other their perfect missing piece.
Together Van and Pomilla, who met on the local Los Angeles music scene, create music that reflects their varied influences and experiences. On their previous independent effort, 2005’s Aliens and Angels, Van lyrically questions whether these entities are one and the same, and in 2007’s This Beautiful Demon¸ the pair explore love and loss. On their third recording, Songs for the Gathering, Solarcade reveals an entirely new awareness and perspective.
In their upcoming EP, Songs for the Gathering, Van builds upon his lyrical explorer sensibilities and combines them with Pomilla's seductive progressions to inspire the listener to press replay in order to fully absorb the sound, meaning and feeling of each song. The first single, “Rise” has an uncanny relevance to the era in which we live. It’s a song for those mired in despair and who are on the verge of giving up. Van puts it simply as “an anthem to fight for the better life because it’s in our grasp. To summon the courage to stare hopelessness in the eye and reject it, and to not be dumbfounded when you learn that the so-called wise men know less than you thought. “Rise” is a defiant call to action that says, it’s in me, and it's in you, and together we must make it.”
In an effort to achieve that rich full alternative pop sound, the band chose to work with producer Brian Reeves (U2, Rooney, Jonas Brothers). Van previously collaborated with Reeves when the former was chosen to sing the theme song for the Sci Fi Channel series, Jeremiah. Van says, “I loved the mix on that song. Once I tapped into what he was doing, I knew that Brian would be perfect for Songs for the Gathering.” Pomilla describes working with Reeves on the album: “We had a great time. He grinds you to the bone, but it’s positive fury! I became a better guitar player.”
Reeves, who has worked with some of the greatest alternative bands in contemporary rock history, says "Solarcade is the real deal. Van has a voice that is immediately recognizable as he skillfully engages his listener. He paints a lyrical picture that leaves you breathless. Pomilla’s unique guitar stylings give the act a character that is both contemporary and classic, yet beautifully dynamic. It's obvious that Solarcade's music is truly inspired."
Brian Reeves and Brandon Flowers have already discovered Solarcade - now it’s your turn. The band, now based both in Los Angeles and in Las Vegas, release their seven song EP, Songs for The Gathering on February 24 through A&I Records.
Mia!!! You do realize you're killing me right??? i do not think it's healthy to be as jealous as i am!! :) When you see them next just stuff them in a big box and mail them to me!! thanks!
Was another awesome performance at The Freakin Frog this Saturday. I think it might have even been better than last Saturday. You guys are always amazing. Would you believe it's been at least 5 years that I have been following the band. It seems like yesterday, and never gets old. Will most likely see you next Saturday...unless I can score tix to the B-52's. They are one of my other favorite bands.
