“I’ve really found a new appreciation for bass as an instrument”:
Softcult, the Toronto-based duo comprising twin siblings Mercedes and Phoenix Arn-Horn, are gearing up to release their latest EP, Heaven.
In this interview with Bass Empire, Mercedes Arn-Horn, who handles both bass and guitar for Softcult, shared insights into her dual responsibilities during the songwriting process. “Since writing and recording the bass parts for Softcult, I’ve really found a new appreciation for bass as an instrument,” she stated. “I’ve come to think of bass as much more than just a supporting role in the arrangement of our songs. I love the duality of bass. It really is the conduit of rhythm and melody. My goal is to always incorporate both elements in the parts I write in a tasteful way.”
“The sonic goals were to create a sound with dynamic range, always through a shoegaze lens.”
Discussing the specific bass model used for Heaven, Mercedes explained, “I use a Fender P-bass in the studio. I personally love the sound and versatility of that bass model. We use a lot of pedals on bass as well, from overdrive to chorus, which I think adds a lot of texture and dynamics to the sound. The sonic goals were to create a sound with dynamic range, always through a shoegaze lens. Some songs incorporate that vast, crushing wall of sound. Others are more delicate and ambient. Some are really fuzzy and scuzzy. But I think overall they all have a lot of warm textures to them, and that’s what we tried to execute with the bass tones as well.”
When asked about the gear and effects used to achieve the early-’90s pedal-driven sound, Mercedes detailed, “We’re very influenced by early ’90s grunge, shoegaze, and riot grrrl punk. We use a lot of pedals, live and in the studio. The ones that live on my board right now are: Walrus Audio Ages Overdrive, Electronic Audio Experiments Longsword Overdrive, Earthquaker Devices Hizumitas triangle fuzz, Boss MO-2 Multi Overtone, Walrus Audio Juliana Chorus, Walrus Audio Arp-87 Delay, Strymon El Capistan Tape Echo, and Walrus Audio Slö reverb. For bass specifically I love the Boss ODB-3 overdrive and Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble.”
Mercedes also shared her approach to developing bass parts that complement the guitar lines seamlessly. “My process is a little different from how most people record. We tend to lay down the drums and guitars first and then save the bass for last. I’m always paying attention to the rhythmic spaces in the groove that could be filled and listening for melodic opportunities. I’m also really into chording on bass as an extra layer of texture. It adds this richness and fullness to the sound, as well as a deep, subby reverberation that is almost more felt than heard at times.”
“It’s our duty to speak out on issues that we are passionate about.”
Softcult’s music often carries a strong message of inclusivity and support, particularly evident in their single One Of The Pack. Mercedes elaborated on their role as musicians in contributing to this dialogue: “I feel that anyone with a platform of some kind, big or small, has a responsibility to use their platform in an ethical way. As musicians, this rings very true. The people who listen to our music care what we have to say and, in our own way, our art influences their perception of the world around them. It’s our duty to speak out on issues that we are passionate about, whether we are directly affected by them or not, because people are listening to our music and our lyrics, subconsciously processing the messages we choose to write about.”
“Our music is our contribution to activism. Maybe we can bring hope to someone in a small town that doesn’t see themselves represented fairly in their community. Maybe we can change someone’s mind if they grew up in a bigoted household. Maybe we can inspire and motivate the people who listen to be a part of positive change, to be more inclusive, to stand up for others, to become advocates for equality and sustainability, and to empower themselves and the people around them. If nothing else, maybe we can spark important conversations and raise awareness.”
Heaven by Softcult is out on 24 May.
