“Unique and original” are overused words in the music business but in the case of Payola this phrase really does have some validity. Led by the very distinctive vocals of Solomon Cole this six month old, six piece Auckland based band recorded “Gone To Ground” at York Street Studio and have succeeded in capturing the live Payola sound in all of its raw rock/soul glory.

“Gone To Ground” comprises nine stunning original songs (songwriter Solomon Cole was a finalist in this years American ISC Songwriting Competition) and one cover, a junk/soul version of AC/DC's “Rock'n'Roll Ain't Noise Pollution”. The first single that has been edited for radio airplay and a music video is "So Unless It's Over"which is Motown in spirit and contains an awesome backing vocal from Sophie Tupuola.

The second single “Every Little Step”, originally written by Cole in the UK, is a more straight-ahead rock song with the middle eight being a highlight when Sophie takes to the mike with earthy abandon.

Other stand-out tracks include “Uplift Your Soul”, a beautiful tale of woe with a sweet gospel sound, the Tom Waits' influenced “How's It Gonna End” and “Beulah Land” and the dramatic piano/guitar backing of “Whatever Will Be”.