ISOLATION// INSPIRATION

Tunes // TV // Films.

A (fairly) regular update of inspiration around what we're listening to and watching during lockdown in the Sollt. Studio.

For more lockdown // listens. head on over to our Instagram @SolltStudio and see our Stories and Stories highlight, where we're sharing a regular stream of tunes.

//LISTEN.

Named after Manchester's iconic independent retail emporium, Afflecks (formerly Afflecks Palace) you'd be forgiven for expecting Afflecks Palace the band to be churning out your typical Mancunian indie fare. But you'd be pretty wide of the mark. Afflecks Palace take on a much more psychedelic vibe, with shimmering sounds and relaxed, chilled-out melodies that are the perfect accompaniment to these sunny spring days.

Having only played their first gig in Manchester before lockdown - sold out purely on the back of their debut EP - these are definitely ones to watch. And they've got a brand new song on the way in May, too. 

Take a listen on Spotify.

Just before shit started getting serious and gigs and concerts were blissfully going ahead, we were lucky enough to catch American rockers Cage the Elephant at Manchester's Victoria Warehouse. They more than proved why they're widely regarded as one of the best live music acts out there, with singer Matt Shultz putting on a show few frontmen could ever match.

Social Cues is the band's latest brilliant (and Grammy winning) offering - an eclectic mix of guitar-led genres including indie, garage rock and post-punk. Take a listen on Spotify.

//WATCH.

Uncut Gems - available on Netflix - is completely polarising. You'll either love it or hate it. And it's certainly divided opinion in the Sollt. Studio! The film follows a completely unrecognisable Adam Sandler as a Manhattan jeweller and small-time crook, who's forever chasing the money via a gambling addiction, counterfeit scams or - as a focal point for the film - a diamond scheme involving opals from Ethiopia.

Set on the packed streets of New York it's a noisy, energetic and often difficult watch, purely for its fast-paced claustrophobic atmosphere and sheer relentlessness. Sandler's character, Howard doesn't stop for breath and neither does this film. To the point of it being both stressful and physically tiring to watch. Seriously. 

But the final outcome is truly remarkable as a piece of film-making - whether you end up actually liking it or not.

Now's a great time to revisit some iconic movies - like this Tony Scott and Quentin Tarantino 90s cult classic, True Romance. Ultra-violent, ultra-cool and featuring an ultra-stellar cast including Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Brad Pitt and Gary Oldman - we've loved diving back into this one.

Bonus shout-out to Joe Exotic and The Tiger King. Has anyone NOT been watching?