The two large veins that return deoxygenated blood from the body into the heart are collectively called the venae cavae. The blood passing through these large veins goes through a resuscitation when it is oxygenated by the lungs. 

This is an apt metaphor for when Philly-based punk n’ roll quartet, Soraia, headed to Sweden to record with acclaimed producer Tomas Skogsberg (The Hellacopters, Entombed, Backyard Babies). The 4-piece band was feeling a little deoxygenated themselves from career pressures, and from the craziness of the current socio-political climate. Today, with fiery blood and punk rock pumping through its collective veins, Soraia is back with a tough and tuneful new EP, Confessions From The Vena Cava.

“We had a lot to say on this set of songs. We looked outward at the injustices in the world, but we also looked inward, addressing topics like feeling like, at times, we had to conform as artists,” says lead vocalist, ZouZou Mansour. “Doing this EP was liberating.”

Soraia’s brand of in-your-face rock n’ roll conjures black leather and wreck-your-life danger. Mansour is a poisoned-penned poet-lyricist, and a darkly captivating frontperson. The four-piece band is rounded out by co-founder, co-writer, bassist, and backing vocalist, Travis Smith; drummer and backing vocalist Brianna Sig; and guitarist and backing vocalist, Mike Jaffe. Soraia has earned favorable comparisons to Iggy Pop, Joan Jett, The Cramps, and PJ Harvey. 

This gang of misfits fumbled around the open mic and bar scene in Philly before getting serious in 2016 and signing to Steven Van Zandt’s label, Wicked Cool Records. To date, Soraia has released six full studio albums, two EPs, and numerous digital and physical singles. The band has embarked on countless tours and festival dates, along the way opening for Wolfmother, Story Of The Year, Bon Jovi, Steven Van Zandt and The Disciples of Soul, and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, as well as write-ups in Rolling Stone, Loudwire, and Billboard. 

Recently, Soraia collectively found itself at a crossroads. The band had parted ways with its label and longtime producer, and Soraia was feeling the type of aimlessness one feels when experiencing a newfound freedom. So, Mansour had a sit-down chat with her friend Sören ‘Sulo’ Karlsson, the multi-talented singer-songwriter with the Swedish band the Diamond Dogs. He suggested Soraia work with producer Tomas Skogsberg. Upon hearing Soraia’s demos, Skogsberg urged the band to take the songs in a punk direction, resuscitating its true roots for their new EP. 

The single, “So Holy”, struts along with garage-punk guitar riffs, snarling vocals, catchy guitar leads, and a rubbery, Pixies-styled bassline. The song lashes out at those stuffy and judgmental types who use religion or some social-construct of morality to position themselves in a place of superiority. “A lot of people think they’re better than others because of religion or where they grew up. This is a song about being tired of listening to that garbage,” Mansour says. 

“So Holy” smolders with sweet revenge.