Handle

Updating post-punk and no wave's jagged sounds for the 21st century, Handle stand out from their contemporaries thanks to their eclectic influences and unhinged performances. On 2020's In Threes, the band's jittery rhythms draw from disco, funk, Latin and Motorik inspirations, while their surreal songwriting and the commanding vocals of Leo Hermitt are equally riveting and unsettling. Handle formed after the Manchester based post-punk septet Duds called it a day. Two of that band's members bassist/vocalist Giulio Erasmus and drummer Nirvana Heire, connected with Leo Hermitt a Mancunian underground artist known for their contributions to community, art and music scenes. In 2018, the trio issued Demonstrations through quasi label Absolute Fiction. The collection of demos revealed Handle's uniqueness and some songs appeared on the trio's debut album In Threes, which was mastered by Mikey Young and co released by Maternal Voice and Upset the Rhythm in 2020. ~ Heather Phares, Rovi After a hiatus Handle have returned with their album COLLIDE. It was recorded and mixed independently 2025 in Athens with Sotiris Ziliaskopoulos and mastered by Jade Mannion in Manchester, UK. Released in 2026 it captures the trio's surreal take on the times with Hermitt's poetic life accounts in motion. The album beckons listeners to dance into the future backwards and can be found on Bandcamp via Absolute Fiction. ~ TM