The Softies

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For the characters from The Beano, see Dennis the Menace (UK).
The Softies
Genres Pop, indie pop
Years active 1994–2000
Past members Rose Melberg
Jen Sbragia

The Softies were a musical duo consisting of Rose Melberg and Jen Sbragia, whose genre was love songs using only their two voices and electric guitars.

Beginning in 1994, the musical group was a side project for both artists. Along with an eventual career as a solo artist, Rose Melberg performed with Tiger Trap, Gaze, and Go Sailor. Jen Sbragia was known for her work with the band Pretty Face. As part of the Twee Pop movement centrally located in the Pacific Northwest, they were able to meet at performances for their respective bands. The two derived their named from a UK New Wave group.[1]

After Tiger Trap disbanded in January 1994, the pair formed The Softies and recorded the four-song “Love Seat” 7-inch single for Slumberland Records. Calvin Johnson later produced their “He’ll Never Have To Know” single and the band’s debut album It’s Love on the K Records label. They released an eponymous EP under Slumberland Records in 1996 (recorded before It's Love). Within months, they would record their critically acclaimed [citation needed] full-length Winter Pageant in Melberg’s childhood home in Sacramento, California. In 2000, they released their final collaborative work, Holiday in Rhode Island. It is sometimes speculated that their albums correspond with the seasons of the year as follows: It's Love (Summer), The Softies (Autumn), Winter Pageant (Winter), Holiday in Rhode Island (Spring).

The Softies almost exclusively use two electric guitars and harmonizing vocal melodies for their recorded tracks and live performances. Their lack of accompaniment, inexcessive production, and brevity of their songs are recurring characteristics of their work throughout their three full-length albums.

The band undertook a few tours, including as an opening act for singer/songwriter Elliott Smith.[2]

2012 tour
For the first time since 2000, the Softies toured as part of Chickfactor 2012: For the Love of Pop, with shows in Brooklyn, Portland, and (scheduled) San Francisco.[3][4]

Discography

He'll Never Have to Know 7" - K Records - IPU56 (April 1995)

It's Love LP/CD - K Records - KLP43 (September 1995)

Softies Self Titled 10" - Slumberland Records - (March 1996)

"The Best Days" 7" - K Records - IPU79 (January 1997)

Winter Pageant LP/CD - K Records - KLP61 (January 1997)

Holiday In Rhode Island LP/CD - K Records (September 2000)

"Loveseat" 7" 4 track EP - Slumberland Records -

References

  1. ↑ Ankeny, Jason. "Softies Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 26 November 2011. 
  2. ↑ "The Softies Gigography, Tour History". Songkick. Retrieved 26 November 2011. 
  3. ↑ "cf 2012: for the love of pop". Chickfactor. Retrieved 3 September 2012. 
  4. ↑ "The Softies Tour Dates 2012". Songkick. Retrieved 3 September 2012. 

External links

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