Softcult
Background information
OriginKitchener, Ontario, Canada
Genres
Years active2020–present
LabelsEasy Life
Spinoff ofCourage My Love
Members
Websitesoftcultband.com
softcult.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, See You in the Dark, was released on March 24, 2023.

History

Twin siblings Phoenix and Mercedes Arn-Horn (born October 31, 1993)[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]

Musical style and influences

Mercedes Arn-Horn in Manila

Softcult have been described as grunge,[16] alternative rock,[17] 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][18] Additionally, Softcult publishes a monthly zine, SCripture, first published in February 2021, which discusses environmental, social and political issues.[19][20]

Discography

Compilation albums

Title Details
Zodiac EPs
  • Released: September 30, 2022[21]
  • Label: Easy Life
  • Format: LP
Dark Zodiac
  • Released: May 12, 2023
    (Japan exclusive)[22][23]
  • Label: Hands and Moment
  • Format: CD

EPs

Title Album details
Year of the Rat
  • Released: April 16, 2021
  • Label: Easy Life
  • Format: CS, DD
Year of the Snake
  • Released: February 1, 2022
  • Label: Easy Life
  • Format: CS, DD
See You in the Dark
  • Released: March 24, 2023
  • Label: Easy Life
  • Format: CD, CS, DD

Singles

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"

Notes

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

References

  1. ↑ Wilkes, Emma (March 8, 2023). "Softcult: "In order for the world to change, there has to be some change within yourself"". Kerrang!. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  2. 1 2 Owens, Paige. "Meet twin duo Softcult and hear their brand-new track "Spit It Out"". Alternative Press Magazine. Retrieved March 24, 2023. Finding inspiration in artists such as Kurt Cobain, who passed away the year the twins were born...
  3. 1 2 "Band To Watch: Softcult". Stereogum. March 23, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  4. 1 2 Bulmer, Eloise (April 20, 2022). "Softcult: "We feel a responsibility – almost a desperation – to change things before our time is over"". Kerrang!. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  5. ↑ Mortensa, Mala. "10 pop-punk bands from Canada who are leaving a mark on the genre". Alternative Press Magazine. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  6. 1 2 "Artist Interview: Softcult". The Alternative. March 23, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 Raza-Sheikh, Zoya (April 27, 2021). "Softcult: "Don't try and be what someone tells you to be"". Gay Times. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  8. ↑ Ears, Get In Her (January 18, 2021). "LISTEN: Softcult – 'Another Bish'". Get In Her Ears. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Another Bish", Spotify, January 15, 2021, retrieved March 24, 2023
  10. ↑ "Softcult - Year of the Rat". DIY. April 15, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Album Review: Softcult - Year Of The Rat | Gigwise". www.gigwise.com. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  12. ↑ "EP Review: Softcult - Year of the Snake | Gigwise". www.gigwise.com. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  13. 1 2 "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!. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Softcult - See You in the Dark". DIY. March 22, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  16. ↑ Mason, Julia (April 7, 2023). "Introducting: Softcult". God Is in the TV. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  17. ↑ "A night with Softcult: empowered alt-rock to bridge divides - iamur". June 18, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Get To Know… Softcult". DIY. February 19, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Softcult – One of a Million". Edge of Arcady. September 23, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  20. ↑ 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. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  21. ↑ Barrett, Laura (September 2, 2022). "TM Breakthrough Vol. 18". Townsend Music Blog. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Music". Softcult. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  23. ↑ "Softcult - Dark Zodiac - Japan CD". CDs Vinyl Japan Store. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
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