Softcult - "Gaslight" | 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]

thanks so much for having us :)

[@MaxiGimenez87]

You'are amazing musician Mercedes. 🙂🎸🔥

[@anthonyagins7872]

I really enjoy how you and you’re sister sing! When you two put those harmonies together it’s straight fire 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@bootesvoidsound]

Found this tonight - soooo good! listened to it like 7 times so far i think - and then shared it with my daughter - love every part of it, but especially the vocals between you two - so good!

[@shadowturk]

Bish you killed it

[@Riiyan]

@@anthonyagins7872 I agree, their harmonies fit so well in the vocal space together. Can't get enough of it!

[@djxiii]

This is so perfect. All the best elements of shoegaze, bliss, and 90's rock. As a fan of Ride, Curve, Catherine Wheel, Swervedriver on one side, and melodic pop like the Posies on the other, Softcult has been the most exciting thing to hit my ears in a LONG time.

[@TheVintress]

This song is such a vibe...

[@VanDivesets]

The drummer is so good

[@matteoborriero6386]

Arn-Horn sisters, I'm officially crazy about them.

[@afro208]

as a 90's grunge/rock kid I really enjoyed this. the kids are alright.

[@ThisIsJericho]

Softcult is real. *chill mode* ❤️🎧🎶

[@IsoInspired]

SOOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!

[@eduardoaguiar3604]

Que som Top, messes tempos em que so lançam porcarias na Indústria musical, essa banda prova que o Aimples Bem Feito é Perfeito!! Uma das melhores no Genero atualmente!!

[@judithpriest221]

Brilliant live session. Love the laid back vibe. Great musicians. Very strong and poignant lyrics. Thanks Softcult. Thanks Indie 88 Live Sessions.

[@mercedesarn-horn8095]

[@torontorox]

best (new) band or duo!

[@patrickedmondson88]

Im hearing some depesh mode and the cure vibes...What great music

[@jaredigital]

Good lord, this sounds so good live! And that vocal switch-up at the end? 😍Yesssss! Hope y'all make it to Texas someday.

[@user-lt5zf4xh7d]

Love this song. It's so rensonant

[@nix8317]

U ALL SOUND THE SAME EVEN IN LIVE???OMG I LOVE UR BANDDDD

[@thmsn_]

I Love softcult so much!!! Mercedes arn horn 💚

[@HiCharity]

Instantly instantly in love. Got huge like 1975/Beabadoobee/Deftones/My Bloody Valentine vibes all up in it. Just So so good.

[@mercedesarn-horn8095]

thank you sooooooo much, we love all those artists!!!

[@HiCharity]

@@mercedesarn-horn8095 so dope!! 😂 🔥

[@THESLOWDEATHHOOKS]

awesome

[@murrylancashire]

Incredible. This is gonna be a band to watch. Kickass!

[@mercedesarn-horn8095]

thank you so much

[@matthewholtz7818]

Sick beat, melody and harmonies! If you're coming with this, I don't know what *I'm doing, but I'm gonna keep keying away... Cheers, perfect package, totally here for it.

[@Franex666]

I hope to travel to see this band live, you can see the quality they have, they are great

[@mercedesarn-horn8095]

thank you so much :) that means a lot

[@IAmKingTony]

All I can say about this is WOW!

[@dr.dspoptartpool6167]

Thank you Softcult® Your the awesomeness of indie alt rock, thanks for the live vid of y'all's SLAYING your newest smash flame mosh bop! Mwah! Loves youse! Blessed be!

[@GenkinoDE]

It's so different to CML, but they still managed to keep their unique sound. The harmonies are so nice in this one. Really a great performance as a whole:)

[@definitelyjustjj4042]

really? At first I thought it sounded a little like the songs in synesthesia

[@evertonstegmann4944]

@@definitelyjustjj4042 me too!

[@TheSinlessAssassin]

@@definitelyjustjj4042 Synesthesia was basically their departure from the pop punk and metalcore-ish aspects of CML and everything else after has been the natural progression from it.

[@Fredxel]

❤❤❤

[@CheckDrummer]

It's really cool! Thanks for the great music!

[@oneguy8466]

Simply put ...Great live sound !!

[@mercedesarn-horn8095]

thank you so much

[@oneguy8466]

@@mercedesarn-horn8095 I can't wait to see you guys . 🖤🖤

[@marcohahn8498]

sweet! looking very much forward to your EP. I like it that you don´t make compromises when it comes to creating the music that you want to make. Keep it up please!

[@benjaminholland8298]

Excelente

[@vudaje]

love this band

[@youreallihave001]

feel that vibe guys

[@zerolucksgivenzeroluckstak1763]

always amazing live ~

[@vh3914]

Sounds so good live! Keep on going, guys!

[@robertovasquez6150]

We need more of it

[@theghostnextdoor3517]

Well done! Love your stuff!! Greetings from Oakland, CA!!

[@bootesvoidsound]

This is awesome!! love it!

[@gatinhopsspss3639]

🖤

[@user-ur1eh5wy2j]

❤

[@watchhorrorxtv]

🔥🔥🔥

[@KiRyLLZ]

обожаю их ёптэ

[@BahMee1]

[@biajade2524]

[@whenyousleeeep]

know what band they remind me of? Mental Map!

[@8EternalDreamer8]

керосинка)

[@triocute09]

The drummer looks like young dave grohl girl version

[@typedef_]

I have like no. 666