Rain, music, and football are three things that come to my mind when I think of Manchester. It’s a statement you can’t argue with. Yet beyond whatever’s happening on the blue or red side of the North West city, or its musical legacy consisting The Smiths, Oasis, The Stone Roses, and so on, Manchester is a thriving, culturally rich city with a strong DIY music scene.<\/p>\n
While some decide to settle in other major cities such as London to be part of a buzzing music circle, Pleiades<\/strong> opted for Manchester.\u00a0Throughout the years, the quintet have appeared on these pages as they’ve carved out a sound that blends art rock and post-hardcore. Having welcomed Andy Calderbank on vocals with 2019’s\u00a0‘All At Your Mercy’<\/em> EP<\/a>,\u00a0Pleiades<\/strong> have only gone to become more dynamic.<\/p>\n This week sees them deliver, ‘Affinity With\u2019<\/em>, their debut album. Throughout its 10 songs, the Manchester-based five-piece effortlessly paints a contemplative and raucous picture. Opener ‘Honeyguide’s <\/em>explodes one moment, then burrows in its pensive apology. ‘Siberian’<\/em> weaves in as Calderbank’s vocals glide into it’s punchy chorus.\u00a0‘Universal’\u00a0<\/em>compels with its tender guitars and Calderbank’s yearning words and OJ Riley’s fervent drum work.<\/p>\n Overall ‘Affinity With\u2019<\/em> readily ebbs and flows. Whether that’s on the intensity of\u00a0‘Honeyguide II’<\/em>, ‘Treppenwitz’<\/em>s energetic bite, or ‘Tongue’<\/em>s\u00a0<\/em>mournful harmonies and intimate acoustics. Tied together by tales of empathy and human nature, Pleiades<\/strong>‘ zestful sonic blend proves to be truly compelling and shouldn’t be ignored.<\/p>\n Ahead of the release of ‘Affinity With\u2019<\/em>\u00a0<\/em>and their accompanying headline UK dates, we spoke to Pleiades<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>about the place they call home – Manchester. They told about its influence, as well as the bands, promoters, venues, and unsung heroes that contribute to its alternative scene and Pleiades<\/strong>‘ growth so far.<\/p>\n