User:Melissa Corner

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Soularflair
OriginMelbourne
GenresProgressive Rock
New prog
Post-rock
Space rock
Metal
Electronica
Experimental
Years active2002–present
LabelsIndependant
MembersAdam Mannering
Website[1]

Soularflair is a musical entity, based in Melbourne, Australia, whose sole member is Adam Mannering. A multi-instrumentalist, his primary instrument is the guitar. He also performs bass guitar duties, as well as percussion using various midi controllers and samplers. Most piano/synth and other instruments are programmed. While most songs are instrumental, there are the occasional vocal tracks - these vocals are usually also performed by Adam Mannering. All mixing and production is also handled by Adam Mannering.

Not limited by genre, he has produced music in the genres of progressive rock, metal, classical, experimental, soundtrack, electronica, and more, sometimes within the one song. Stylistically, Soularflair appears to be becoming more diverse with each successive release.

As of 2010, Soularflair has released 3 albums - "Dark Matter", "Soularflair" (self titled), and "Post-Human".[1] While the first 2 albums were non-exclusively distributed by Blue Pie[2], the artist decided to release all future material independantly.[3][4] Soularflair are yet to perform live.

While Soularflair does have a privately run webpage,[5], it is somewhat out of date, and the artist's primary internet presence now is through Facebook[6]. Soularflair initially sold albums as personally produced CDs. The artist has been quoted as saying he is focusing on digital downloads of full albums for the future[7]. CDs copies of the first 2 albums are still available from the artist on direct contact[8].


History[edit]

Soularflair officially began in 2002 with the release of "Dark Matter". Before this time, early songs could be found on sites such as Garageband.com.


Dark Matter (2002)[edit]

The band's first album, “Dark Matter”, was primarily electronica, with very small amounts of guitar. The album was mastered by "Deepface" producer/engineer Chris Corby. An independant review[9] of the album was written by Kristofer Upjohn. An excerpt from that review follows:
"Dark Matter" is a top notch accomplishment. Electronica this compelling is rare - and please take the full force of that word to heart. Soularflair manages to blend the energy of driven, dance-oriented dance music, the aura of space music, the psychedelic power of goa and some of industrial's edge to hold the listener in absolute thrall... Soularflair's Adam Mannering has succeeded in a marvelous balancing act, ably mixing all the elements together just so to bring about the conjuring of "cerebral electronica," as he most rightly calls it...A CD such as this causes one to begin to dribble at the mouth for such effusiveness results one cannot stop babbling about how good it is and one's mouth must continue manufacturing saliva to keep the raving going. Brilliant".


Soularflair (2005)[edit]

The band's second album, the self titled Soularflair was released independantly in 2005. It was primarily a guitar-based and mostly heavier album, extremely stylistically different to "Dark Matter".


Post-Human (2010)[edit]

The band's third album, Post-Human was released independantly in January 2010. It was released as a digital download[10], although some CD copies are apparently available on direct contact with the artist. This album was the most stylistically varied of Soularflair's output, consisting of multiple genres, sometimes within the one song (see the track, "Even In My Dreams").


Style, Influences and Creative Process[edit]

Adam has stated that he wishes to help people "transcend the every day". He has a saying – “Mediocrity is cancer”, and a belief that "the best art...comes from pain, frustration, mania, confusion, delirium, ecstasy and chaos". He chooses not to "write songs about petty subject matter", and is "constantly drawn to the “dark side”". Soularflair music is often multi-layered and dense, with a particular fondness for odd-time signatures.
Artists that inspire Soularflair the most include Meshuggah, Pink Floyd, Devin Townsend, Mike Oldfield, Opeth, Robert Fripp, Steve Vai, Dead Can Dance, and various soundtrack and classical composers.[11]


Discography[edit]

Albums[edit]


Soundtracks[edit]


Videos[edit]

Soularflair has released one video. It was a shortened version of the track "Even In My Dreams". It was produced by Adam Mannering, using public domain footage.[12]


Other Works[edit]

Adam Mannering has also done the sound for various other artistic projects, including a play called "Box" (written by Tanya Vessey - screened RMIT, Melbourne 2005), the pilot of a TV show called "Australian Ghost Stories"[13], a short sci-fi film called "Silicon Spies"[14], and an industrial documentary filmed for a contractor for a project of the German company, Takraf.


Members[edit]

  • Adam Mannering - guitar, bass, programming, vocals


External links[edit]


Notes[edit]

  1. ^ http://www.facebook.com/pages/SOULARFLAIR/16650238119
  2. ^ http://www.bluepierecords.com/artist-roster.php?alphabet=S-Z&page=3#browse
  3. ^ Personal email communication with Melissa Corner (Australia)
  4. ^ http://www.soundloud.com/soularflair.aspx
  5. ^ http://www.soularflair.net
  6. ^ http://www.facebook.com/pages/SOULARFLAIR/16650238119
  7. ^ Personal email communication with Melissa Corner (Australia)
  8. ^ Personal email communication with Melissa Corner (Australia)
  9. ^ http://www.raves.com/cdreviews/show/402/SOULARFLAIR-DARKMATTER
  10. ^ http://www.soundloud.com/soularflair.aspx
  11. ^ http://www.soularflair.net/biography.htm
  12. ^ http://www.vimeo.com/1142600
  13. ^ http://www.facebook.com/pages/SOULARFLAIR/16650238119
  14. ^ http://www.siliconspies.com/crew.htm
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