NOTE: All photos are copyright of Howard Shiau Photography 2025
It’s been quite a month for Canadian band Softcult, consisting of twins Phoenix and Mercedes Arn-Horn. They were named as a Stereogum Band to Watch, released their latest EP “See You in the Dark”, and completed their first US headlining tour! A true DIY band, with the sisters handling everything from album art to production to video editing, their latest album tackles many issues in the world today, issues that are particularly important to Mercedes and Phoenix. It’s hard to pin down their music to a particular genre but if I could make up a new one, perhaps dreamgaze? Their latest EP tends to the mellow, making you sit back with your eyes closed….that is until you actually listen to the lyrics! It hits hard right from the first track “Drain” with “Look at your world. Isn’t it beautiful to drain? When there’s nothing left of you to take. Oh, what a privilege it is getting old. I hope I live to be so cynical. Why should we dare to live forever if nobody cares to change for the better.” Wow! Ok, definitely a band to watch! After their US tour, Softcult is playing three shows in Ontario starting with tonight at Mills Hardware in Hamilton, then their hometown of Kitchener before wrapping it up at the Drake Underground in Toronto.
Opening for Softcult was Toronto based indie band PONY. With Sam Bielanski decked out in pigtails and pink ribbons taking care of vocals and bouncing about the stage and lead guitarist Matty Morand in a black fuzzy sweater providing a wall of sound, PONY started the evening up and running. A favorite was “Tres Jolie” release in February, an upbeat pop song that could have come straight out of the latest high school movie! The band definitely knows how to do indie pop. Their latest EP “Velveteen” is set to be released on May 19th, after which they will headline a record release show at the Drake Underground in Toronto on May 26th. Catch this fun band on the last two shows supporting Softcult or on their record release show. Guaranteed to be a good time!
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Through social media, we already knew that Softcult’s van broke down at the end of their US tour in Chicago and the band was stranded somewhere in Illinois for two days! We were lucky that the band made it back to Ontario that morning and was able to play the show! They kicked off their set with “Spit It Out”, dark and head-banging! It was pretty amazing when songs that start off really mellow evolve into headbangers as they hit the chorus! Each song seemed to have a story to tell, issues to tackle. Misogyny, incel culture, and the music industry were problems addressed front and center with songs like “Dress” and “Boys Will Be Boys”. Mercedes also talked about accountability, not quite cancel culture and just pointing the finger, but making sure people are accountable for their actions. That includes looking inward at ourselves and making sure we’re accountable as well. This was the premise behind their latest EP. Please listen to the music but LISTEN to the message! Besides the incredible performance this evening, I really dug the passion and emotions that drove the writing of the music and lyrics. The set was over in just an hour, way too short for all the fans in the venue but I suppose they played almost their full catalogue. But it wasn’t EVERY song!! I’ve got “See You in the Dark” on repeat and look forward to the next time this talented band tours!
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