Solitaire Love Affair was formed in Seoul in the fall of 2008 by Garan and Marc (http://soundcloud.com/saintjohnthegambler) and Simon (The Bellows). They were joined by Cooper (The Tearjerks) on drums, with additional guitars by Mangano, and Achilles on keys. After a few shows with this 'rock' line up SLA changed their musical direction and added synths and drum machines to their heavily effected sound and became a four-piece band. Cooper departed for the US and was briefly replaced by CarysMatic and then by Zach permanently filling the drummer's seat. Greg Hanford also joined briefly on additional live guitars.

SLA played electronic indie-rock shows (and some acoustic shows) across Seoul in Itaewon and Hongdae to mostly confused audiences. The debut album was recorded at Bubblegum Studio by Hyun Ho, however the band split up in early 2011 and the album has yet to be finally mixed and released. The rough mixes here were done by Zach at home. Garan, Simon, and Zach continue to make music in Seoul. Marc returned to Canada to become a magician, and to watch real hockey games live. Will Solitaire Love Affair ever grace the stage again?... well...

Solitaire Love Affair were:

Zach Bardon (Live Drums)
Garan Fitzgerald (Bass & Effects, Backing Vocals)
Marc Proulx (Vocals, Live Synths, Card Magic)
http://soundcloud.com/simon-upstone (Guitars, Synths & Drum Programming, Backing Vocals)


Garan Fitzgerald is a bassist and voice actor who trained in music classically in the United States, later coming to Seoul to further his professional experiences. Relying on the skills developed during his studies under Homer Mensch at The Juilliard School and Bruce Bransby at Indiana University (as well as a lifetime of odd jobs), Garan finds himself playing in many eclectic groups and voicing a wide range of characters and styles. Garan's voice has been heard on TBS radio's "Drive Time," Arirang radio's "Korean It Words," several seasons of Arirang TV's "All Together," and was a regular guest on Arirang Radio’s “Travel Bug” hosted by Lisa Kelley for a year and a half. He has voiced characters for several cartoons and animated films produced by EBS, KBS and SBS; been a long time reader of national English tests in Korea--including TOEFL, TOEIC, and NEAT testing; and a corporate presenter for such companies as Samsung, LG, and Kia and Hyundai Motors. Garan is a sought after talent in the music and voice acting fields in Korea and he is always excited to take on new projects and challenges.

A musician that makes great music to share with others, thank you for listening to the sounds.

Female fronted indie rock band from 
4 Black Roses:
Katelynn Tomney-vocals, guitar, piano
lead guitar: Ryan Curtis
bass: Ross Stephens
drums: iso!

Saint John the Gambler is Mark Baker’s musical guise. Started in the alleys of Seoul, South Korea in 2006, released an EP (self-titled) there in 2007, then an album (Trains for the Sea) in 2008. Then left. Spent 6 months performing on Monday nights at BJs in Paceville, Malta, before spending the guts of a year in Montréal, Canada (and dipping a toe into NYC). Then forcibly removed from North America. 5 solid years in Dublin, Ireland ripping it up, releasing another album (Five Miles To Vaudeville) in 2013. Then laid low in Jerusalem for 3 years, fidgeting with various other projects. Returned to Montréal beginning of 2019. The ball keeps rolling...

Simon Upstone is following