Softcult - "Perfect Blue" | Indie88 Live Sessions

Softcult, led by sisters Mercedes and Phoenix Arn-Horn, are a shoegaze/grunge/dreampop band based out of Kitchener, Ontario. They released their first tracks in early 2021, and their first EP Year Of The Rat in April. You can watch Softcult live, performing their two latest singles in the studio for Indie88’s Live Sessions series.
This isn’t their first time recording together, the pair played in another band, Courage My Love, since 2009. They signed as Softcult to Easy Life Records in 2020 with the vision of creating a new project that focuses on social commentary.
“In our previous project, we were signed to a label that butted heads with us creatively and wasn’t allowing us to express ourselves authentically,” Mercedes Arn-Horn explains. “They weren’t interested in the music we were creating at the time. We became unhealthily obsessed with trying to please them to release anything at all.”
Softcult takes inspiration from the riot grrrl movement of the 1990s. They cite legendary punk band Bikini Kill as a major influence. Drawing from their experience working in a male dominated industry, their songwriting focuses on social commentary from a feminist perspective. Their lyrics bring attention to issues like abuse, misogyny and mental health.
“If young women listen to our music, or see us on stage, and they learn that Phoenix is our producer - recording and producing everything we do, or that I’m in charge of the visuals - directing and editing all our music videos. Seeing that women can take these things that are male-dominated aspects of the industry, and you can do it yourself. Seeing it in someone else means that you can see it in yourself.”
On their new single “Gaslight,” the band raises awareness of the psychological manipulation technique known as gaslighting. Abusers use it in relationships to control someone by making them question their own perceptions, memories, motives, and sanity.
“Anyone who hears the song will be able to recognize those red flags if they encounter that kind of behaviour,” says Phoenix. “It’s a tactic that many abusers and groomers will use to tear down the defences of their victims to make them easier to manipulate.”
“We chose Softcult because this band is all about social commentary”, remarked Mercedes in an interview. “A soft cult could be anything from a church, a government, a family, a band even. It’s anything that you don’t really question where you follow your group of people.
We’re all in soft cults in society that we don’t realize we’re a part of. We’re just willing participants because it’s a normalized thing at this point. It can sound a little harsh but it’s also meant to make you question which soft cults are you a part of.”
Softcult will be releasing their next EP, Year of The Snake, on February 8, 2022 on Easy Life Records.

[@mercedesarn-horn8095]

thank you so much for having us!

[@awwa8923]

You guys are awesome. Love the look too!

[@Polyfusia]

Finkle is Arn-Horn!

[@Indie88Toronto]

Thank YOU! We loved this session.

[@thmsn_]

Oh gosh live version soo goood

[@sonyeonnn3672]

ya’ll sound so fucking good live it’s crazy

[@joelchin6755]

The mix of this live version is insane. Every instrument’s perfectly clear. Mad props to the band and the audio engineer!

[@HiCharity]

OH MY GOD. Where has this band been all my life?!?!?

[@mercedesarn-horn8095]

we're right here

[@nickchappelGOE]

I would donate a kidney to see this band live one day, how on earth are y’all this good this sounds even better than the studio version

[@mercedesarn-horn8095]

wooooow thank you so much!!!! i think a ticket will be fine, no need for the kidney ;)

[@dr.dspoptartpool6167]

I have to agree 👍 so worth a measley kidney 😊hahaha For real though, it really does sound better than the studio mix.. the mix is rowdy in the bestest ways!

[@ps5hasnogames55]

because they rip all their songs off from better bands.

[@jakepannabecker877]

now what does that run?

[@jackhunt9725]

@@ps5hasnogames55 well, this song is almost certainly influenced by the song "Change (In the House of Flies)" by Deftones. I guess this song is sort of a response song to that one, maybe like a "part 2", because the line 'I watched you change' is part of the chorus for "in the house of flies". And when they sing 'perfect blue' it sounds a lot like Chino Moreno’s moaning at the end of the house of flies chorus. But i think mercedes is a pretty big fan of Deftones, so i would call it more of an homage than a rip-off

[@mikekelly5422]

Something cosmic about those vox harmonies at the outro. Otherworldly!

[@bobinchainz]

I’ve had this on repeat legit for about 8 hours . About twice a year I find a song that hits me this hard . And I’m a musician and music snob . Grunge and shoe gaze? Take my damn money

[@kelrt3707]

Phoenix hit her verse hard as hell at the end and it really seemed like everyone else knew it and it made everyone go hard too ,…. Much respect love these live sessions

[@mercedesarn-horn8095]

[@ps5hasnogames55]

seemed like everyone else knew it, probably because they recognise these chords and melodies from other songs. these two girls are infamous for ripping songs off, like their uzumaki which they ripped off from loathe's two way mirror. or their previous band "courage my love" which ripped off selena gomez.

[@-divinetragedy]

oh thats so bullshit and u know it @@ps5hasnogames55

[@claudiofransozo]

Ohh my God...this is the Best song i heard in the last 5 or 6 years. Please come to Brazil

[@mrssirens]

Canada represent. This will always be one of my favorite songs.

[@tomtaylor9985]

Major Sundays vibes. These guys rule

[@judithpriest221]

Great session. Love Softcult. Amazing song writers and musicians. Love the vibe. Thanks Indie 88 for posting the sessions.

[@mercedesarn-horn8095]

shout out to Brent and Jeddah filling in on guitar and bass!

[@eugeneedge587]

This is amazing, sounds exactly like the record ❤️💥

[@mercedesarn-horn8095]

thank you so much, that's so appreciated

[@ArturoKaadu]

Love them so much

[@lucianocolen8850]

So good!!!

[@lancecamposano3633]

they slayed the song in both keys! the record and this one!! EZ one of the best bands I discovered this 2022!

[@mercedesarn-horn8095]

thank you so much

[@drewmcgill5290]

How is this not a recording? Ridiculously good live.

[@hailz44]

this is so bloody sick! i hope one day i'll be lucky enouh to see them live

[@mercedesarn-horn8095]

wow thank you so much!

[@dr.dspoptartpool6167]

OMFG I DIDN'T REALIZE YOU DID THIS ONE ON HERE TOO ... CEDES... YOUR GUITAR.. AAAA PHEENS ... YOUR DRUMS.. AAAAA TY TY TY TY *JAMMING TOO*

[@netobitencourt7909]

The tone on this one is even better then the studio version on my opinion. Great song!

[@benjaminhogue4125]

Great performance, awesome band.

[@neenang4894]

This is art. And so underrated I'm so glad I discovered this band a year ago

[@moreparmesan5261]

This song is a daily listen for me. Amazing sound!

[@saraht2436]

These live versions are incredible. Would love to see them released on streaming platforms!

[@AndreaWAC]

I can't say how much I love this band! The music from the sisters has always been amazing, but live is definitely more emotional and intense! Brent and Jeddah did a wonderful job sustaining the alchemy and power of the sound! It's probably a dream right now, looking at the pandemic situation and the distance, but I hope that someday I will see you live here in Italy! keep doing the great art

[@sonnywilliams9610]

As if I couldn’t love this song more.

[@iamtia78]

Damn... That was beautiful. Just as beautiful as their recorded version. 🖤

[@mercedesarn-horn8095]

thank you so much

[@pizzanpasta7704]

my background music in this shady pouring Friday evening .. while drinking cofee staring blank walls

[@dougmccoll6126]

They know some stuff about producing music and post production of live stuff, OH and gear, and...did I mention they are pretty good at singing, playing instruments and have killer songwriting chops! Keep inspiring me!! Would love to help them at a concert sometime, or set up some mics in the studio.

[@joemaz]

VERY strong contenders for best nu-gaze band out there right now. The songwriting is always amazing, and the mix on this video is immaculate (props Indie88). Also I've seen several live videos with this lead guitar player and I hope they keep performing with him because he is sick.

[@Indie88Toronto]

Thanks for listening 🙏🏻

[@heartbeatsdrum]

Totally in the pocket and the mix is incredible. Phoenix gave me goosebumps when she came in.

[@mercedesarn-horn8095]

ahhhh thank you!

[@civildissension]

Right?! The mix was tight.

[@veguillar1]

They have come a long way since courage my love. Glad to see they are still strong after all these years.

[@InoueTatsuo]

Beautiful song and strong band sound, great!

[@mercedesarn-horn8095]

thank you

[@flickmew99]

I wanna see softcult live concert one day when I got money to travel around the world, this band is so amazint

[@mercedesarn-horn8095]

wow thank you so much

[@peacefullband]

Ho! Nice vibe! Wow!

[@1fetoch1ful]

sounds great!

[@rbmmello_13]

YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING

[@picklemetoo]

I Love It, so awesome

[@Croc.]

Such a beautiful song by a beautiful band, thank you softcult

[@itscoachmegan]

So so so good

[@blackmetronome]

Phoenix and Mercedes, I love your music. you've got a fan down here in the Northeast USA.

[@WillLopez00]

Ugh this song is so pretty. What a great performance. I'm a new fan!

[@zerolucksgivenzeroluckstak1763]

these sisters are always awesome LIVE

[@ShatteredToDust]

Wow the tones on this version sound much more massive. I love this

[@Whoa_shutitdown]

I want y'all to know this is more than just a song to me, it's an answered prayer. This song hurts so fucking much but it's the most comforting thing at the exact same time. It is so strange how much I feel from it, and how much it has helped me since it released.

[@cynknows]

💙💙💙

[@MauricioSaint]

Great sound!! I love this band, come to Mexico someday 🤘🏽

[@tamastakacs3810]

Loved it

[@spacecalander]

Wow this was powerful!! 🤘🤘👏

[@lucysutherland-filler2433]

This mix is sooo gooood guys, you totally slayed! My fave version of this track by far 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@TheMindIlluminated]

Her voice is so good.

[@DeusesdoRock]

As melhores 🎉

[@coronabikecrewcbc3882]

this is just perfect oh my god

[@coronabikecrewcbc3882]

need this to be on spotify

[@civildissension]

This is really cool stuff. Such a soft tumbling melody. I wish it was more common to hear this stuff with harder backings like this. Happy to have you guys around. Best of luck!

[@sonnywilliams9610]

There’s simply no way this is live, y’all sound so flippin good!

[@wagnezte]

Omg beautiful

[@bobinchainz]

Amazing band . I’m digging this live better than the recorded . Would love to see you all live as well. Come to Florida !

[@joelureta6363]

Amazing 🔥

[@e.junior360]

Bass ♥️ Vocals ♥️ Guitar ♥️ Drums ♥️

[@pearlcook6502]

so good, wanna hear this irl asap

[@mercedesarn-horn8095]

february aint far away my dear

[@gingerfromskateboard_tv6390]

I'm in love with singer ... sooooo deep love

[@maxielpilotociego8]

thanks

[@NãoSouNiilista]

very good, solfcult never disappointed

[@WhyNotMN]

sooooooooo fire

[@VonKerosene]

I wish I was an oligarch to arrange their live show in my city.

[@TehSaint]

How fucking good are these two!!

[@doomrmusic]

love when they play it a bit slower 👌

[@djwtf2335]

Saw them live at the Incubus show last night. Never heard of them before but what an amazing support act. This is their stand out tune, got it on repeat. Deffo some Deftones vibes.

[@oppressivelight5244]

really nice

[@lizandromartinez1597]

Me encanta un buen esa rola!!!!!!

[@awepizza]

I love this, sounds so much like deftones

[@e.junior360]

Mercedes I love you!

[@e.junior360]

Muito foda! ❤️

[@YunnieKat]

Console me Clothe me in denial Wanna wear all the things you like Expose me Scold me like a child Good intentions, they cut like a knife Looking back at a face Barely recognize you But the eyes are a shade Of the same perfect blue I watched you change into someone new Saw it all degrade into deja vu Who are you Perfect blue Control me I don't own myself Just a product of your design Turning slowly Into someone else All these words in my mouth aren't mine Looking back at a face Barely recognize you But the eyes are a shade of the same perfect blue I watched you change into someone new Saw it all degrade into deja vu Who are you Perfect Blue

[@brunotortorello8530]

jesus christ the production on this one is just absurd O.o

[@lc8361]

Amazing! Does anyone have a list of their gear set up and guitar rig> looks like a jazz master?

[@janeeyre1906]

I LOVE YOU

[@cherrycola8175]

iam died....you are better everything

[@bobinchainz]

Anyone know the amazing effect they have on their vocals ? Just a heavy reverb ?

[@samburgos8815]

Do you mind telling me what tuning on the guitar this song is in?

[@ide495]

A Perfect Circle may be an influence. I could be wrong.

[@MiguelRamirez-cr7gh]

Late to the party, but Deftones are an influence, so close…?

[@awwa8923]

guys what happened to your radio channel? Im in the GTA and used to get access in my car and indie 88 is all I ever listened to..Its been a year and its gone for me :(

[@Indie88Toronto]

That's strange, try emailing [e-mail] and someone from our on air team can help you out.

[@awwa8923]

@@Indie88Toronto Thanks guys and sorry for lashing out in my other comment. I missed this channel and I hope to hear it again

[@shahariarmkhurshid]

I'll follow you into the dark

[@m4rkus451]

Shoegaze?