Softcult

An energetic duo from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, Softcult recalls the sound and aesthetic of the grunge and riot grrrl waves of the ‘90s. They’ve won over fans with a steady stream of EPs and engaging singles like “Spit It Out” and “Drain.” Softcult was formed by Phoenix and Mercedes Arn-Horn, twin sisters with classical training in voice, piano, and guitar. The duo first rose to prominence in 2009 as the nucleus of the pop-punk outfit Courage My Love. The band earned considerable buzz in their decade together, earning a Juno Award nomination in 2014 for Breakthrough Group of the Year, but struggles with their label left them disillusioned enough to put the project on hold in 2020. The Arn-Horns were still keen to work together, though, and drew from influences including Nirvana, Bikini Kill, and My Bloody Valentine, blending grunge, riot grrrl, and shoegaze in equal measure. The duo exacted their vision not only through music, but through the media as well, self-publishing a ’zine to keep fans abreast of band news and social issues the sisters felt passionate about. Softcult wasted no time in filling the void left by Courage My Love, releasing their debut single, “Another Bish,” and accompanying EP, Year of the Rat, in 2021. Year of the Snake followed in 2022, preceded by the singles “Spit It Out” and “Uzumaki,” two of their most-streamed songs. Further augmenting their sound with lead guitarist Brent McSwiggen and bassist Oliver Burdett (who left in 2023 and was replaced with Phil Hirst), the band next released two Nirvana covers (“Been a Son” and “Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle”) before gearing up for their third EP, 2023’s See You in the Dark, a Juno Award nominee for Alternative Album of the Year. Their fourth EP, Heaven, was issued in 2024. ~ Mike Duquette