FIVE FAVOURITES: Softcult

Formed of twin siblings Phoenix and Mercedes Arn Horn, Canadian duo Softcult have had a busy few years touring extensively with the likes of Incubus, Movements and MUSE, as well as releasing a trio of excellent EPs: Year Of The Rat (2021), Year Of The Snake (2022), and See You In The Dark (2023). Now, the pair are gearing up to release a new collection of songs, titled Heaven, which they’ll be sharing on 24th May via Easy Life.

With their shimmering guitar tones, swirling FX and atmospheric dual vocals, Softcult provide their listeners with welcome moments of respite from the pressures of everyday life. With tracks that touch on issues of body image and self esteem, to anthems that advocate for gender equality and anti-capitalism, the duo’s musical ethos is rooted in a desire for a better world than the one we currently exist in. This is the thread that connects the tracks on their upcoming EP, Heaven.

We think one of the best ways to get to know a band is by asking what music inspired them to write in the first place. We caught up with guitarist and vocalist Mercedes to ask about her “Five Favourites” – five tracks that have inspired Softcult’s songwriting techniques. Check out her choices below and scroll down to listen to Softcult’s latest single ‘Spiralling Out‘ at the end of this post…

 

1. Radiohead – In Rainbows
I can’t say enough about how much this album has influenced me. Since I first heard it I fell in love with Johnny Greenwood’s guitar work, Colin Greenwood’s basslines, and of course Thom Yorke’s hauntingly beautiful vocals and lyrics. It changed the way I think about groove, opening new possibilities on how melodic instruments interact with percussion, and creating melodies that stand alone yet fit together like the intricate pieces of a puzzle. Easily one of my favourite records of all time.

2. The Sundays – Reading, Writing & Arithmetic
This album is so enchanting and captivating for me. I’m drawn in by Harriet Wheeler’s delicate and dreamy vocals and David Gavurin’s shimmering, jangly guitars. Together they create an atmosphere that beautifully captures emotions like ebullience and pensiveness and balances them in such an introspective way. It’s very intelligent music that is also easy to listen to, which is a rare combination. It’s influenced my vocals and melody writing, as well as my guitar style and tone on our dreamier songs.

3. Deftones – Diamond Eyes
Deftones have SO MANY incredible albums, so it’s really hard to choose a favourite, but I think Diamond Eyes is one I keep coming back to because I love the dichotomy of heavy, crushing guitar and atmospheric, heavenly shoegaze ambience. Chino Moreno sings with such angst, yearning, and sort of this agonizing lustiness that I haven’t heard from any other vocals. It’s so expressive. It captures a very specific mood. It definitely has influenced our music in a big way.

4. Cocteau Twins – Head Over Heels
Again, just a huge influence on us in terms of atmosphere, guitar tones, vocals, and overall ambience. This record was so ahead of its time. I think it shaped the sound of dream pop and shoegaze a decade before that scene really bloomed. This record is enchanting and mesmerizing for me. It has a mystery to it. Elizabeth Fraser’s vocal style is a huge influence on me, as well as Robin Guthrie’s guitar style. I don’t think ‘Love Song’ would exist if I’d never been exposed to this album.

5. Bikini Kill – Pussy Whipped
While this album definitely has a different sound than anything Softcult has ever been influenced by musically, I cannot deny that I am deeply inspired by the lyricism and ethos of Kathleen Hanna. Kathleen is the woman who essentially founded the Riot Grrrl movement and zine culture in the feminist punk scene. Her activism through music is what inspired me to be in a band and to use my art to empower people, specifically women, non-binary and trans people.

I honestly try to channel her when I’m on stage, no matter how nervous I might feel. Her ability to channel righteous feminine rage and power into a movement that continues to fight for equality is nothing short of inspiring. We are HEAVILY influenced by Bikini Kill’s fiercely cutting and poignant lyricism as well as the riot grrrl aesthetic and culture that they founded in the 1990s.

Honourable Mention: My Bloody Valentine – Loveless
I feel it would be remiss if I didn’t also include My Bloody Valentine’s album in this list. Sorry, I know we were supposed to only pick five! But this album has so greatly shaped my guitar playing and Phoenix’s production in terms of creating a wall of sound with macerating fuzz into reverb the way Kevin Shields does. I just have to mention it or I couldn’t live with myself.

Thanks to Mercedes for sharing her Five Favourites with us!

Watch the video for Softcult’s latest single ‘Spiralling Out’ below
Pre-order Softcult’s upcoming EP, Heaven, here

Follow Softcult on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Facebook & X

Photo Credit: Kaylene Widdoes

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Problem Patterns – ‘Lesbo 3000’ / ‘Poverty Tourist’

GIHE favourites Problem Patterns have returned with a double dose of delightful, disruptive noise on their AA single release ‘Lesbo 3000’ / ‘Poverty Tourist’. Taken from their upcoming debut album, Blouse Club, which is due on 27th October via Alcopop! Records, the Belfast-based Riot Grrrls tackle homophobia and working class appropriation on their anthemic new tracks. We can’t wait to hear both of them live when the band headline for us at the Sebright Arms in Hackney on 17th November (tickets are cheaper in advance and available from DICE).

Not defined by traditional band structures, Problem Patterns routinely switch up instruments and mic duties for their riotous songs, which always makes for a refreshing take on the subject they’re singing about. Following on from previous single ‘Letter of Resignation’, which saw guitarist Beverley Boal step forward on vocals, on ‘Lesbo 3000’ drummer Bethany Crooks takes the lead as she calls out the prejudices around homophobic language and reclaims it for herself and the LGBTQ+ community.

“‘Lesbo 3000’ was written partly out of frustration and also to reclaim and have ownership over my sexuality,” explains Bethany. “The frustration is that lesbianism is consistently invalidated, we’re told that we just haven’t ‘met the right man’ yet or that some random man in a bar has a magic appendage in his trousers that will completely negate your attraction to women. The reality is that homophobic attacks are becoming more and more consistent with right wing social media emboldening bigots, while ‘lesbian’ remains one of the top search topics on all porn websites. (Mostly) men think that lesbians exist for their sexual gratification, but if they see two women holding hands they go absolutely berserk.”

“I also thought it was important to reclaim the slur ‘dyke’,” she continues. “I’ve been called a dyke multiple times by homophobes who want to hurt me, but if I can reclaim that word it completely takes the power out of it. Yes I am a dyke. And that feels really powerful to say.” With the aid of some truly stunning local drag artists in the accompanying video for ‘Lesbo 3000’, Bethany and the grrrls gleefully dismantle these damaging prejudices and riotously reclaim the language that doesn’t belong on the tongues of ignorant bigots.

“We really wanted it to feel joyful and silly even though the song has quite a serious subject matter,” Bethany comments on the visuals, which were directed by long-time collaborator Brendan Seamus. “We decorated the set like a big gay party! We toyed for months with the idea of paying homage to ‘Addicted To Love’ and ‘Man I Feel Like A Woman’, and thought that involving local drag artists would be a perfect tonic to the constant depressing news cycles surrounding LGBTQ+ attacks and discrimination we see nowadays. Carl Hartt, Hester Ectomy, Xxxpresso Martini and FRUITY were the backing band and they all absolutely killed it. We are so grateful that they even wanted to participate in the video, and they really served 80s hair metal/bimbo/sexy punk realness.”

Problem Patterns are driven by a strong DIY ethos and as a working class band, they feel it’s important to call out the appropriation of this culture in the music industry and further afield. Their second AA-side track ‘Poverty Tourist’ does just that. Fuelled by the riotous dual vocals of Alanah Smith and Ciara King, as well as King’s potent bass line, the track is a Beastie Boys-style blast of pure punk catharsis that came about during the band’s final writing session before they recorded their album.

“We’re a working class band and there are experiences that are very unique to us which we have bonded over,” Alanah explains about the track. “It’s incredibly frustrating to see those struggles co-opted by folks who have never had to worry about money. The kind of people who will dig around charity shops to ‘curate’ bits for their Etsy store where they will sell these items at 10x the price. Charity shops exist to serve the community and there are people that depend on them because there are no other options. It’s the rich kids moving into impoverished areas to make themselves sound more interesting, driving up the rent and gentrifying the area.”

“This sort of romanticisation of the poor is very prevalent in the music scene, especially in bands (and industry types) who align a working class background with being perceived as more authentic. People dress up and change their accent for personal gain only, but as Jarvis Cocker once said, ‘If you called your dad he could stop this all’ – and of course, he also said, ‘Everybody hates a tourist.’ It’s cosplay, it’s gross, and it’s always obvious when someone is doing this.”

Fresh from performing live on BBC 6Music, supporting electro-punk icons Le Tigre on their Manchester and Glasgow tour dates and playing a knockout set at Brighton’s Great Escape festival earlier this year, it’s been a joy to witness Problem Patterns’ hard work pay off. Listen to ‘Poverty Tourist’ below and pre-order your copy of their debut album, Blouse Club, here.

Follow Problem Patterns on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Photo Credit: Carrie Davenport

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: GIHE on Soho Radio with Circe (24.07.23)

Tash and Kate were back on Soho Radio’s airwaves playing loads of new music from some of their favourite female, non-binary and LGBTQIA+ artists! Mari offered some of her “musical musings” too. Tash talked about their excitement for upcoming East London festival Field Day and Kate shared memories of the recent GIHE gig that Mari organised at The Shacklewell Arms, featuring STRAIGHT GIRL, ALT BLK ERA and The Dead Zoo. Artists featured on the eclectic playlist included Maria Uzor, Sweeping Promises, Um, Jennifer?, congratulations, Divide and Dissolve and Nora Kelly Band.

Kate also caught up with London-based dark-pop sensation Circe to talk about her new EP, Drawing Wings From The Light. Inspired by personal epiphanies, unfiltered heartbreaks, precious teenage secrets and cell-shaping theatrical experiences, the record is a passionate, rapturous collection of slickly produced tracks. Circe spoke about the context behind her new songs, the loyalty of her fans, having FEELINGS about EVERYTHING, and her upcoming headline show at The Windmill in Brixton on 21st September. Tickets are available now on DICE.

Listen back to the show below:

 

We’ll be back on Soho Radio on Monday 21st August from 12-2pm!

Tracklist
Bikini Kill – Rebel Girl
Mary Lovett – Drive
Fever Ray – What They Call Us (Nifra Remix)
TSHA ft. Ell Murphy – Bloom
Maria Uzor – Ventolin
cumgirl8 – gothgirl1
ALT BLK ERA – I’m Normally Like This
congratulations – Zeitgeist
Jock – Spoilsport
Separatr – Directionless
Sweeping Promises – Eraser
Um, Jennifer? – Girl Class
afromerm – held
And Is Phi – Double Pink
AVR – Confirm Humanity
Sea Lemon – Vaporized
Circe – My Boy Aphrodite
**Interview with Circe**
Penguin Cafe – Galahad
1000 Beasts ft. Zeenie Summers Sà.Rù.Mí – Sun Valley Drive
Coolgirl – Silverlight
Joanna Sternberg – I’ve Got Me
Nora Kelly Band – Rodeo Clown
FOX GUNN – POTTERY
Divide and Dissolve – Want
Taylor Swift – Blank Space

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NEW TRACK: Problem Patterns – ‘Letter of Resignation’

Fresh from supporting electro-punk icons Le Tigre on their Manchester and Glasgow UK tour dates, GIHE favourites Problem Patterns have shared their tenacious new single ‘Letter of Resignation’. The Belfast-based Riot Grrrls have also announced the title of their upcoming debut album, Blouse Club, which will be released later this year via Alcopop! Records.

A live highlight when they played it during their set at Brighton’s Great Escape festival earlier this year, ‘Letter of Resignation’ sees guitarist Beverley Boal step forward on vocals – and what a force she is. Not defined by traditional band structures, Problem Patterns routinely switch up instruments and mic duties for their songs and it always makes for a refreshing take on the subject they’re singing about.

This time, the band are celebrating queer joy and ally-ship as they tear down those who discriminate against the LGBTQ+ community, specifically in places of employment. “I’m standing up for who I believe in / you can’t fire me, I’m leaving!” chants Bev in gleeful defiance, as her band mates create a joyful cacophony of punk noise around her.

Bev explains the context of the new track eloquently: “‘Letter of Resignation’ is for anyone who has left a job, space or situation because people there were judgmental of, or discriminated against them or others for being different, and they stood up for who they believe in. For me, I grew up hearing the phrase ‘hate the sin, love the sinner’ in churches (always in the same context, as if being gay was the ultimate sin) and it still feels like an attack when I hear the preachers in the street.

Genuine love does not force us to become what we are not. Genuine love extends beyond those who look, act and think like yourself. Genuine love doesn’t inspire violence. Two thirds of queer people have experienced violence or abuse due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. More than half of Northern Irish queer youth say they are not fully accepted by their family. Mental health struggles including self-harm are far more prevalent in the LGBTQ+ community. Those perpetuating ‘traditional’ views have a lot to answer for. And, after so many sexual abuse scandals in the church, it seems like they would be better off trying to keep themselves right.”

‘Letter of Resignation’ is accompanied by a super fun, Pride inspired video, which the band shot in Holywood just outside of Belfast. Directed and edited by Brendan Seamus with input from Bev, the visuals show Problem Patterns unapologetically marching and dancing around the Northern Irish town, featuring vocalist & guitarist Alanah playing a briefcase like it’s a guitar, bassist Ciara throwing some serious shapes by the seaside and drummer Beth acting as a cranky old man.

“Brendy also did our ‘Day & Age’ and ‘Y.A.W’ music videos,” Bev explains. “He always does an amazing job of capturing our fun chaotic energy. Fuelled by Nutmeg’s vegan café and baffled by the amount of churches on the main street, we got ice cream at the beach even though it was a bitter cold Sunday. In the face of hatred, we stand for queer joy. I think that’s the duality of our band and this music video. On one hand, we’re protesting the powers that want to tear us down, but on the other hand, we’re celebrating and proud of who we are and what we believe in. And you can tell we mean business when we’re in our suits, even if we’re having a dance at the seaside.”

Kathleen Hanna (Le Tigre/Bikini Kill) described Problem Patterns as her “new favourite band” and after watching the visuals for their new single, we can totally see why. They’re fun, furious and full of energy, and we can’t wait to have them headline for GIHE again at the Sebright Arms in Hackney later this year on 17th November. Support comes from indie-pop band Fightmilk and the shoegazey sounds of Dogviolet. Tickets are cheaper in advance, so make sure you grab one from DICE.

Watch the video for ‘Letter of Resignation’ below.

Follow Problem Patterns on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Problem Patterns UK Live Dates 2023
15.07.23 – Berlin, My People Fest (w/ FAIM, Dying For It)
22.07.23 – Liverpool, Crapfest (w/ Crapsons, Piss Kitti)
19.08.23 – Glasgow, Core Festival
26.08.23 – Kettering, Greenbelt Festival
17.11.23 – London, Sebright Arms (headlining for Get In Her Ears)

Photo Credit: Carrie Davenport

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment