Alta Zuma at Night and Day

Name: Alta Zuma
Start: 1970-01-01T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Night and Day

+ Leila's Dream + Summerhouse

1st January 1970 at 00:00

Alta Zuma

Sometimes it takes a move to another city to make things happen. When a chance meeting between two old mates in an Urmston pub led to Emma Stockwell and Paula Farr deciding it was time to dust off the guitars and start making music, Alta Zuma was born, (after Emma relocated to Urmston, Manchester from her native Scotland).Through mutual friends spreading the word about their new musical venture, they were swiftly joined by John Rowland (The Bodines, Rainkings) on drums and James Knox (The Waltones) on bass.

Combining melodic guitar riffs with hefty basslines, vocal harmonies, and a powerfully dynamic rhythm backbone, Alta Zuma create a sound that's gloriously catchy, twisted with intensity and drenched in a dreamy energetic fuzz.

Their debut two track single recorded with former member Cathy Brooks on bass duties, is a fiery yet melodic sonic cocktail of sounds. Recorded at Hope Mill Studios in Ancoats, Manchester, their debut single captures the band's melodic, off kilter, wonky pop, with ‘Ireneo’ mixed by Jim Spencer (New Order, The Charlatans, Johnny Marr) and ‘Without A Sound’ mixed by Chris Lord (Hunkpapa).

Reflecting on the past unsung heroines of football ‘Without A Sound’ draws inspiration from the long lost womens’ teams from the middle of the last century, who attracted huge crowds overseas yet were banned from participating in the English football league. Yet as well as being a lament to lost opportunities, ‘Without A Sound’ also celebrates how times have changed, and in the year of the Women's Euros, brims with a hopeful outlook towards the future.

‘Ireneo’ is a powerful ode to writer Jorge Borges’ tale of never being able to forget, and was inspired by the main character's ability to remember in intricate detail everything he'd encountered in his life. As life moves fast, creating space to remember and reflect becomes ever important, and ‘Ireneo's melodically charged tribute to Borge's beautiful story, is a poignant reminder of that.

Emma Stockwell is a Scottish singer and guitarist formerly of Cherry Pinks and Daisy Room, amongst others.

Paula Farr is a Mancunian singer and guitarist, formerly of the bands Delta Saint (whose single received airplay on Radio 1 by John Peel). The Forest, (who recorded a BBC6Music session for Marc Riley), and Serpentine Pad.

Bassist James Knox is a founding member and frontman of The Waltones who released the classic indie album ‘Deepest’ in 1989 as well as recording a Peel Session. After going on hiatus, they reformed in 2017.

Drummer John Rowland is formerly of The Bodines who released their seminal debut album Played in 1987, amongst numerous Radio 1 sessions for John Peel and Janice Long, before going their separate ways, and The Rainkings who released several EPs and an album between 1989-2018.

Combining forces to conjure up a sound that combines indie, psych, and folk with a melodically alt pop topping, Alta Zuma's debut single Ireneo / Without A Sound is available on Bandcamp and Spotify now.

Leila's Dream

Dive into Leila's Dream as Psychedelic Folk meets Post-Rock and Electronica. Manchester's genre-blending 6-piece was created by Cumbrian guitarist Peter and London pianist Myriam, ready to weave magic at the Northern Quarter's Night & Day Café. Wistful melodies and eery harmonies mean the group have spawned a beautiful sound that transcends geography and embraces storytelling, human nature, and instinct.

Summerhouse

Summerhouse are an indie folk-rock duo from Sale, Greater Manchester, made up of close friends Tom (songwriter) and Gabe (lead vocals). Blending heartfelt lyrics with a cinematic, full-band sound, their music explores themes of love, struggle, and escape with raw honesty. Starting out in acoustic sessions in the summerhouse where they still write today, they’ve since grown into a powerful live act, now joined by a full band. With two singles out and more on the way, Summerhouse are making waves on the Manchester scene—and beyond.