Presented by Get to the Gig Boston / MassConcerts
The Softies
with Jeanines
and zowy
The Softies, comprised of Rose Melberg and Jen Sbragia, embody timeless themes of friendship and self-discovery through their minimalist pop soundworld. Since their formation in 1994, they’ve created uncluttered and fearlessly vulnerable music, contrasting with prevailing trends. The Bed I Made, The Softies’ first new studio album in 24 years, showcases growth while reflecting on life’s complexities with lyrics drawn from real experiences. Despite individual pursuits and personal losses, Melberg and Sbragia reunite, channeling grief and rejuvenation into an album that captures the essence of their enduring friendship and offers hope and renewal amid life’s challenges. Through their perfectly-paired harmonies and telepathic playing, they navigate the present, past, and future, offering a poignant continuation of their musical legacy, resonating like time spent with an old friend who knows you best.
Jeanines specialize in ultra-short bursts of energetic but melancholy minor-key pop. With influences that run deep into the most crucial tributaries of DIY pop — Messthethics, the Television Personalities, Marine Girls, early Pastels, Dolly Mixture — they’ve crafted a style that is as individual as it is just plain pleasurable. Alicia Jeanine’s pure, unaffected voice muses wistfully on the illusions of time, while My Teenage Stride/Mick Trouble mastermind Jed Smith’s frantic Motown-esque drumming and inventive bass playing provide a thrilling rhythmic foundation. On stage, harmonies and bass from Maggie Gaster (Yucky Duster) crystallize Jeanines’ live sound.
zowy is the current solo project from Zoë Wyner of halfsour. Live performances usually include a variety of collaborators, while all recorded material is performed by Zoë. Her recent debut EP, beware magical thinking (out now on Lost Sound Tapes), was (mostly) recorded at home by Zoë. Additional instrumentation was added at Big Nice Studio in collaboration with Brad Krieger, (who mixed and mastered the tracks as well).