MANZ

MANZ

MALZ - soundscapes, distorted guitars and pulsating grooves.

Formed in 2022  in Croydon, UK, MALZ is adding to the local Rock scene with their self-produced debut EP ‘Shattered’. After spending the best part of that year rehearsing and songwriting, they recorded their Debut EP at Rockbottom Music in Croydon early this year and are now looking to take the album on the road.

The band is formed by long-standing friends and was facilitated by Club Soda’s Artist’s development programme. The name itself stems from the initials of each member (M-att, A-nton, L-eo and Z-oe).

However, this Album is Zoe’s, the lead singer’s vision and her inspiration from bands like Ghost, Paris Jackson and Sonic Adventure. Her deeply felt and raw lyrics match the natural sound and authenticity of the recordings. Working on a very low budget and limited time, the band tried to capture Zoe’s emotions and expressions as best they could. This album invites the listener to a fantasy world where anything is possible, even immortality. Take the ride with MALZ. Enjoy!

Theophilus Ajayi

Theophilus Ajayi

Theophilus Oluwafifehami Ajayi

Theophilus Oluwafifehami Ajayi is a London based Pop, Funk, Rock singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist with autism.

Born in Greenwich, London with Nigerian heritage, his love for music started at a very young age. In primary school he started playing guitar and drums, making his first demos; then Theophilus learnt to play the keyboards and became a competent singer-songwriter. 

Wanting to take his music to the next level he started going to Ocean Tide Studio where he made his debut EP, ‘Epic’. 

In 2017, Theo started attending Soda Jam, a weekly music workshop run by Club Soda where he started to receive support from professional musicians.

Theo now has many releases out on all the usual digital streaming sites and download stores. He is also very productive on social media.

In 2022, Theophilus takes us on a journey, globetrotting from West Africa to the North of England, via Canada and Ireland by way of Lagos, Accra, Toronto, Dublin, Belfast, Liverpool and Blackpool, amongst other locations with his EP of songs about ‘place’. Destinations is Ajayi’s latest release, it is funded by the Youth Music NextGen Fund and supported by Club Soda.

Luminous Starchild

Luminous Starchild

Luminous Starchild

Manoj Rasanayagam, also known as ‘Luminous Starchild’, is a 24-year-old pianist, composer and EDM producer from Croydon. He is an accomplished classical pianist and wishes to continue his further education in Music Production.

During the pandemic, Manoj began to write and produce EDM/Drum & Bass music with an infusion of contemporary classical elements on GarageBand. He released his first single ‘Dreamscape’ on Soundcloud and is now working on his first EP – ‘Lucid Dreaming’.

Manoj is also a member of the local symphonic punk rock group ‘System Experience’ formed in 2019.

Manoj is Autistic and identifies as bi-sexual. Playing the piano and producing music is central to his wellbeing. He loves to share his passion with people and introduce communities to electronic classical music. Manoj aspires to be a role model for the young generation.

You can connect with Manoj through Instagram @virtualpianist_official 

DJ Soul Sista

DJ Soul Sista

DJ Soul Sista

Music genres: Soul, Funk, R&B, Hip Hop, Disco, & “Funky Soulful House” & Reggae

DJ experience: Vinyls/Turntables, CDJs, & DJ Controller (DDJ 400) & iOS

DJ Soul Sista is a Croydon based DJ specialising in Soul, Funk, R&B, Hip Hop, Disco, & “Funky Soulful House” & Reggae. Having learned how to DJ with Club Soda in the early 00s, Soul Sista now produces a monthly online clubnight, Groove Zone.

Her vibrant and energetic sets have been heard in a range of venues and festivals where she is renowned for keeping the party jumping. She is skilled in DJing using Vinyl decks, CDJs and has adapted to the new age era of DJing using DJ controllers combined with an iPad Pro, making her an ideal portable DJ able to spin tunes any time, any place.

Her use of effects and filters help her sets stand out from the average soul DJ.

Club/DJ experiences

  • Croydon Clocktower 2009 – 2011
  • Croydon World Party Lloyd Park, Croydon, 2010
  • Beautiful Octopus Club, Southbank, 2012 – 2014
  • One Brighton F.M. “Kiss My Disco” Radio show, 2014
  • Fun Palace, Whitgift Centre, 2015
  • Bad Apple, Croydon, 2016
  • Mi Soul Sunday Session, Fulham Broadway, 2018
  • Croydon Civic Awards, Hilton Hotel, 2018
  • Croydon Council Housing Dep Christmas Party, 2019
  • SoDaDa (Zoom), 2020
  • Beautiful Octopus Club (Zoom), 2020
  • Groove Zone monthly virtual clubnight (Zoom), 2021 – 2022
  • Box Park Croydon, 2019 – 2020

Transient Visitors

Transient Visitors

Transient Visitors

Transient Visitors

Transient Visitors fuse pop, rock, metal and electronic influences to create their own unique dark melodic sound.

The band’s self-penned debut EP is available soon, with songs such as ‘Insanity Calling’ and ‘Battlescars’ showcasing their songwriting talent.

Vocals and lead guitar: Matt Thompson

Rhythm guitar: Sam Baldwin

Bass: Jo Huggins

Synths: Anton Bland