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Softcult

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Softcult
Background information
OriginKitchener, Ontario, Canada
Genres
Years active2020–present
LabelsEasy Life
Spinoff ofCourage My Love
Members
Websitesoftcult.band

Softcult is a Canadian grunge duo consisting of twin siblings Phoenix and Mercedes Arn-Horn.[nb 1] The duo are known for their melding of grunge with shoegaze, as well as their DIY and riot grrrl-inspired ethics. The band's most recent EP, Heaven, was released on May 24, 2024.

History

[edit]

Twin siblings Phoenix and Mercedes Arn-Horn (born 1994)[2] grew up in Toronto, Ontario, and were home-schooled by their mother, an English teacher.[3] Prior to forming Softcult, the Arn-Horn siblings were members of the pop-punk band Courage My Love, which released several EPs and two studio albums throughout the 2010s.[4][5] Feeling creatively stifled by their record label, the Arn-Horn siblings decided to disband Courage My Love and begin a new project together in the summer of 2020.[3][6] The band chose the name "Softcult", which Mercedes Arn-Horn defined as "anything that you don’t really question where you follow your group of people", to represent the band's "social commentary".[7] The band's debut single, "Another Bish", was released on January 15, 2021.[8][9]

On April 16, 2021, Softcult released their first EP, Year of the Rat, through Easy Life Records.[7][10][11] The duo's second EP, Year of the Snake, "encompasses our feelings towards the cutthroat capitalist society we live in and the problems that need to be addressed".[12][13] One of the EP's songs, "B.W.B.B.", was written in response to the murder of Sarah Everard in March 2021.[13] Their third EP, See You in the Dark, was released on March 24, 2023, and was inspired by My Bloody Valentine and the Cocteau Twins.[6][14][15] The EP received a Juno Award nomination for Alternative Album of the Year award at the Juno Awards of 2024.[16][17] On May 24, 2024, the band released their fourth EP, Heaven.[18]

Musical style and influences

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Softcult have been described as grunge,[19] alternative rock,[20] lo-fi[2] and shoegaze.[4] The Arn-Horn siblings were inspired by the 1990s riot grrrl culture, and have cited Bikini Kill, Bratmobile and Pussy Riot as formative influences on the band.[7][21] They cited My Bloody Valentine's Loveless (1991), Slowdive's Souvlaki (1993), Swervedriver's Mezcal Head (1993) and Deftones' White Pony (2000) as influences on their fourth EP Heaven.[22]

Since February 2021,[23] Softcult has published a monthly zine, SCripture. which discusses environmental, social and political issues.[24][25] The zine was directly inspired by 1990s riot grrrl culture, and features a black-and-white aesthetic inspired by Raymond Pettibon.[22][26] Phoenix says that the zine "kind of [reinforces] the message behind [their] songs."[27]

Band members

[edit]

Touring members[17][28]

  • Brent McSwiggan – lead guitar (2022–present)
  • Phil Hirst – bass (2023–present)
  • Oliver Burdett – bass (2022–2023)[29][30]

Discography

[edit]

Compilation albums

[edit]
Title Details
Zodiac EPs
  • Released: September 30, 2022[31][32]
  • Label: Easy Life
  • Format: LP, CD
Dark Zodiac
  • Released: May 12, 2023
    (Japan exclusive)[33][34]
  • Label: Hands and Moment
  • Format: CD

Live albums

[edit]
Title Details
Softcult on Audiotree Live

EPs

[edit]
Title Album details
Year of the Rat
  • Released: April 16, 2021
  • Label: Easy Life
  • Format: CS, DD
Year of the Snake
  • Released: February 4, 2022
  • Label: Easy Life
  • Format: CS, DD
See You in the Dark
  • Released: March 24, 2023
  • Label: Easy Life
  • Format: CD, CS, DD
Heaven
  • Released: May 24, 2024
  • Label: Easy Life
  • Format: CD, CS, DD

Singles

[edit]
Title Year Album
"Another Bish" 2021 Year of the Rat
"Gloomy Girl"
"Spit it Out" Year of the Snake
"House of Mirrors"
"BWBB"
"Perfect Blue"
"Gaslight" 2022
"Uzumaki"
"Been a Son" Non-album single
"Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle"
"One of a Million See You in the Dark
"Drain"
"Someone2Me"
"Dress" 2023
"Love Song"
"Spoiled"
"Haunt You Still"[37] Heaven
"Heaven"
"Shortest Fuse"[38] 2024
"Spiralling Out"

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Phoenix uses they/them pronouns, and Mercedes uses she/they pronouns.[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Wilkes, Emma (March 8, 2023). "Softcult: "In order for the world to change, there has to be some change within yourself"". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Owens, Paige. "Meet twin duo Softcult and hear their brand-new track "Spit It Out"". Alternative Press Magazine. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023. Finding inspiration in artists such as Kurt Cobain, who passed away the year the twins were born...
  3. ^ a b "Band To Watch: Softcult". Stereogum. March 23, 2023. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Bulmer, Eloise (April 20, 2022). "Softcult: "We feel a responsibility – almost a desperation – to change things before our time is over"". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  5. ^ Mortensa, Mala. "10 pop-punk bands from Canada who are leaving a mark on the genre". Alternative Press Magazine. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Artist Interview: Softcult". The Alternative. March 23, 2023. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c Raza-Sheikh, Zoya (April 27, 2021). "Softcult: "Don't try and be what someone tells you to be"". Gay Times. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  8. ^ Ears, Get In Her (January 18, 2021). "LISTEN: Softcult – 'Another Bish'". Get In Her Ears. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  9. ^ "Another Bish", Spotify, January 15, 2021, archived from the original on March 24, 2023, retrieved March 24, 2023
  10. ^ "Softcult - Year of the Rat". DIY. April 15, 2021. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  11. ^ "Album Review: Softcult - Year Of The Rat | Gigwise". www.gigwise.com. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  12. ^ "EP Review: Softcult - Year of the Snake | Gigwise". www.gigwise.com. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  13. ^ a b "Track by Track: Softcult - Year Of The Snake EP". Upset Magazine. February 8, 2022. Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  14. ^ "EP review: Softcult – See You in the Dark". Kerrang!. March 23, 2023. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  15. ^ "Softcult - See You in the Dark". DIY. March 22, 2023. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  16. ^ CBC Music (February 6, 2024). "Here are all the 2024 Juno nominees". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on February 9, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  17. ^ a b Rivers, Heather (February 9, 2024). "'It's crazy!': Band with London ties 'stoked' over Junos nomination". The London Free Press. Archived from the original on February 9, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  18. ^ Kelly, Tyler Damara (March 21, 2024). "Softcult announce forthcoming EP, Heaven". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  19. ^ Mason, Julia (April 7, 2023). "Introducing: Softcult". God Is in the TV. Archived from the original on August 1, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  20. ^ "A night with Softcult: empowered alt-rock to bridge divides - iamur". June 18, 2022. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  21. ^ "Get To Know… Softcult". DIY. February 19, 2021. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  22. ^ a b Anon. (May 27, 2024). "Inspiring SCripture: the influences behind Softcult's long-running zine and their new 'Heaven' EP". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on May 27, 2024. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  23. ^ "zine digest — softcult". softcult.band. Archived from the original on May 2, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  24. ^ "Softcult – One of a Million". Edge of Arcady. September 23, 2022. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  25. ^ Wyeth, Jasmine (September 23, 2022). "Softcult's latest dream-pop track proves they're not just "One of a Million" | Best Fit". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on September 28, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  26. ^ ""We know who we are and what we want, and not be ashamed of it.": Interview with Softcult – Messed!Up". Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  27. ^ "Interview: Softcult Discuss Their New EP 'See You In The Dark'". New Noise Magazine. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  28. ^ Gormley, Ian (January 17, 2024). "Softcult Were on a Mission in Toronto". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  29. ^ Airey, SR (June 18, 2022). "A night with Softcult: empowered alt-rock to bridge divides". iamur. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  30. ^ Avery, Jake (May 17, 2023). "Live review: Softcult at Clwb Ifor Bach". Exeposé (745): 21.
  31. ^ Barrett, Laura (September 2, 2022). "TM Breakthrough Vol. 18". Townsend Music Blog. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  32. ^ softcult (August 30, 2022). "we're pleased to finally announce the "zodiac eps" vinyl is available for preorder. it will be yours on sept 30. limited to 500 copies. our first ever vinyl. 🖤🤍". Instagram. Archived from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  33. ^ "Music". Softcult. Archived from the original on July 18, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  34. ^ "Softcult - Dark Zodiac - Japan CD". CDs Vinyl Japan Store. Archived from the original on July 18, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  35. ^ "Softcult | Audiotree Music". Audiotree. September 5, 2023. Archived from the original on October 15, 2023. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  36. ^ "Softcult on Audiotree Live, by Softcult". Bandcamp. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  37. ^ Kelly, Tyler Damara (November 10, 2023). "Softcult round off the year with new single, "Haunt You More"". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on December 11, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  38. ^ Carter, Emily (January 30, 2024). "Listen to Softcult's new single, Shortest Fuse". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
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