Late last year we introduced readers to Soft People, a husband and husband duo from San Luis Obispo, almost exactly in between San Francisco and LA. Their song ‘Absolute Boy’, struck us with its deeply personal lyrics, and 80s stylings, and we really enjoyed their sound. So we’re happy to announce that their new single, ‘Tender’, is set for release this Friday July 12, ahead of their performance at The California Central Coast Pride Festival that weekend.
‘Tender’, for anyone of a certain age, instantly conjures up memories of the 80s, specifically angst-ridden bands such as The Cure, The Smiths, and even a touch of New Order. Sonically, the beat – on this track provided by Patrick Spurgeon, drummer with fellow California band, Rogue Wave – is a close match for The Cure’s ‘Close To Me’, while vocally we’re most reminded of ‘Cemetery Gates’ by The Smiths. In any case, there’s a definite retro sound which we’re really enjoying. Previously we drew comparisons to their fellow Californian contemporaries, Peppermint Heaven, and we maintain this with ‘Tender’; this time however, there’s something more, an excitement beyond the angst, and it’s made us, in turn, quite excited about what Soft People have in store for us.
‘I thought that I was afraid to die / but naturally I was just afraid to be alive / that branch that you cling to / it’ll bend it’ll bend / until it breaks / and what then.’
Despite being on the surface, nonsensical, and at times difficult to hear (we hope we’ve got the lyrics above right), ‘Tender’ is regardless of its seeming angst actually a positive and encouraging song, in the sense of telling the listener, or an unseen character in the song, to basically buck up out of their despair, and get on with the importance of living, and to ‘try to find a way to be tender’.
Soft People will be performing at the 23rd annual celebration of The California Central Coast Pride Festival on the weekend of July 14.
You can find out more about Soft People online on their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages. You can buy, stream, and download their music on Bandcamp, SoundCloud, and Spotify, as well as their label.
