Soraia “Less Than Zero”

Recorded and mixed by Steve LaFashia at Forge Recording.

Born in 2005, Soraia epitomizes raw power, unrelenting energy, chaos, and freedom. ZouZou Mansour and Travis Smith are the core of this group — their songwriting rooted in early garage rock with strong dynamics and melody — and their live show  frenetic and intensely interactive.  ZouZou has been referred to as “a true mix of Iggy Pop and Joan Jett” onstage.They have toured constantly throughout the US, playing the dingiest corner dive bar, to the most massive amphitheaters in their ten-year career, even opening Milwaukee’s Summerfest in 2009. Their career includes venue highlights playing their hometown stadium, Wells Fargo Center as supporting act, as well as opening  for national bands at The Rave in Milwaukee as far back as 2006. Their ever-blossoming writing career includes four studio albums, one live cd, one EP, and countless singles. They are currently in the process of recording their second EP set for release in summer 2015.Their last record garnered their first #1 song with their attitude-laden, punk cover of The Kinks’ “(I’m Not) Like Everybody Else” on rock radio in South America (Radio Doble Nueve in Peru) after spending 10 weeks in the Top 40 there. In addition,  Little Steven Van Zandt’s SiriusXM Radio Station “The Underground Garage” Channel 21 chose their previous record’s single (“Love Like Voodoo”) as the #2 “Coolest Song of 2013″, and their cover of The Kinks’ “(I’m Not) Like Everybody Else” from their latest record “Soraia Lives!” as the #5 “Coolest Song of 2014″ (according to their listeners’ poll). In addition, both rock n’ roll legends and deejays Bill Kelly, Genya Ravan, Kid Leo, and Michael Des Barres chose Soraia’s single “(I’m Not) Like Everybody Else” among their favorite “Top Ten Coolest Songs of 2014″.

Above all this, Soraia’s ferociously energetic, intoxicating live shows are their trademark calling card, showcasing a will to defy and survive. True rebels of rock ‘n’ roll, Soraia has overcome hundreds of obstacles other less fortuitous bands would never survive thanks to their unwavering love of music and all that it encompasses.
Whether in a hot, sweaty rock club or huge amphitheatre, Soraia’s charisma and spirit transcend the concert stage and reach all those who witness the band live. Rarely will you see a band with as much magic and soul as Soraia, and never will you hear a journey so full of hope and heart as this band’s story. Their every breath is a testament that miracles really do exist, and that the underdog really can win the whole world.