"Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life"
How true is that statement by Red Auerbach . Many songs take you places that you have never dreamt of. Music can be your only friend & companion and really can take you through the bad times. Hell, you know that already so what, you ask, is this dude going on about?
A few songs have moved me and Dark Daze is one of those. I was lucky I guess to hear the original and the new EP version which really took me someplace. But after I got to run their web site I want to know where it all started how did they get together and what keeps them together.
Lewie Docksey was part of a successful Blues Band who played gigs all over the UK. As a sideline Lewie who also recorded his own songs formed Split Sofa in August 1999. With the help of Joe Nicklin - Lead Guitar, Dave Shipley - Drums & Martyn Stretton - Bass.
The band released 'Angelistic Pillow' an Maxi EP of 6 songs. The EP sold well and Lewie set about writing a full album worth. The whole project took two years to complete with a great album 'The Day After The Day Before'. This album was mixed by ex Forevermore guitarist Mick Strode.
Mick Strode stayed on for the next project, which turned out to be 'The Sorcerers Lullaby' , which sold well, and songs were featured on Phoenix radio and ARFM radio stations. Mick took over as lead guitarist with Joe taking a back step for this album.
Two months after the release Lewie set out to give a Sofa Rock classic 'Draylon'. Which also received airplay on internet radio stations.
In 2006 Lewie teamed up with songwriter Martin Gillman. The duo set about writing new material. Which would become 'The 7th Level.'
After 13 years of doing the blues band, Lewie folded the band on December 9th 2006 and took Joe Nicklin & Dave Shipley with him to do Split Sofa full time. Lewie also bought in a great friend of the band over the years Gareth Williams on bass. This new change saw a funky mix being bought to the table of Sofa Rock.
An EP was planned for May 2007 the band recorded 4 songs, which had been gigged. For the last two years the album the '7th Level's' been taking shape and the bands been getting some interest coming their way. With one song picked and featured on Japanese Billboard Radio things are looking up for the Sofa Rock guys. The bands also been played on rock247 radio station and many stations in the USA are being looked at.
The band Played Wicketstock in late June 2007 but no more gigs were planned that year. The next recordings were on the way. Lewie & Martin had begun penning songs as soon as the '7th Level' was being recorded.
In Jan 2009 Split Sofa signed an agreement with Leeds based company Headland media to provide music for shops and companies.
May 2009 saw the release of a 4 song EP called 'A MYSTICAL REASON'. It received airplay on arfm.co.uk and the feedback was excellent. Straight after this release the band carried on with the new album to be released in January 2010. It is known that there will be cover versions on the album but at time of writing we don’t know which covers they are.
Aug 2009 TSG media accepted 3 songs off ' A MYSTICAL REASON' to be played in 7,500 of it’s clients stores and pubs ETC and in December 2009, they also accepted 'Don't Look Away' from 'The 7th Level'.
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