West-London based alt-soul/ jazz vocalist, guitarist and producer Sonia Bernardo presents her sophomore EP Wasn’t There, Someone Told Me.
Taking time out from touring the world, working with Phil Manzanera (Roxy Music) and opening for Jools Holland, Bernardo has enlisted some of London’s most in-demand musical minds, including Skinny Pelembe, Dave Maclean (Django Django), Luke Wynter (Nubyan Twist/ Roller Trio) and Oscar Robertson (Sunglasses For Jaws), for her new four-track EP via Seloki Records.
Born in London to Portuguese parents, before being uprooted and moved to a tiny village in rural Portugal, Bernardo started writing music at the age of 10, imitating the greats of Fado: the traditional Portuguese music she grew up with. When the Indie wave hit the UK, the rebellious teenager followed the sound back to London, where she began honing her craft as a producer and guitarist, and word of her incredible voice and song writing skill began to catch on.
Her debut EP Panic Prayers, released on cassette and digitally in 2019, was a sultry pop gem of underground guitar music, and confirmed Bernardo’s place as one of London’s most exciting new talents.
Flaunting her deep love for the power of melody, the new EP Wasn’t There, Someone Told Me traverses dreamy indie pop, dubby post-punk, and bossa-inspired psychedelic soul and explores themes of belonging, identity and self-reckoning.
credits
released March 26, 2021
All You Leave is Love (2.29)
(Sonia Bernardo/Skinny Pelembe)
Bass: Paul Littlewood
Guitar: Sonia Bernardo
Synth: Paul Littlewood and Sonia Bernardo
Drums: Oscar Robertson
Vocals: Sonia Bernardo and Skinny Pelembe
Production: Dave Maclean, Sonia Bernardo, Skinny Pelembe
Almost a Mother (3.23)
(Sonia Bernardo)
Bass: Horacio Bolz
Guitars: Sonia Bernardo and Horacio Bolz
Keys: Sonia Bernardo
Drums: Oscar Robertson
Percussion: Dave Maclean
Vocals: Sonia Bernardo
Production: Dave Maclean and Sonia Bernardo
Migraine Daze (3.40)
(Sonia Bernardo)
Bass: Luke Wynter
Guitar: Sonia Bernardo
Keys: Sonia Bernardo and Horacio Bolz
Drums: Oscar Robertson
Percussion: Dave Maclean
Vocals: Sonia Bernardo
Production: Dave Maclean and Sonia Bernardo
Lovers Praise (2.55)
(Sonia Bernardo)
Bass: Luke Wynter
Guitar: Sonia Bernardo
Drums: Oscar Robertson
Percussion: Dave Maclean
Vocals: Sonia Bernardo
Production: Dave Maclean and Sonia Bernardo
All tracks Mixed by Alexis Smith and Mastered by Luke Oldfield.
Artwork by Manuela Julian
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