Softcult: Music With a Message
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PHOENIX ARNHORN (LEFT) AND MERCEDES ARNHORN (RIGHT) OF SOFTCULT. PHOTO BY KAYLENE WIDDOES.
Canadian grunge-rock duo Softcult is taking the worldwide stage by storm with their dream-pop and grunge sound. From Toronto to Bangkok, Japan, Softcult’s riot grrrl tracks are captivating audiences and leaving them with a new favourite artist to play on repeat.
Twins from Kitchener, Ontario, Mercedes and Phoenix Arnhorn formed Softcult in 2021, after a decade-long run with their previous band Courage My Love. The two felt stifled by their record label, Warner Music Canada, which led to the band’s breakup.
A Fresh Start
Softcult’s birth was inspired by grunge rock and riot grrrl bands from the '90s, such as The Smashing Pumpkins and Bikini Kill. The band’s name, defined by Mercedes, "...could be anything from a church, a government, a family, a band, even. It’s anything that you don’t really question when you follow your group of people. We’re all in soft cults in society that we don’t realize we’re a part of.” Softcult’s sound draws from personal experiences with mental abuse, misogyny, sexual assault, and the struggles they faced growing up in the music industry.
This time, they didn’t try to write radio singles or aim high; they crafted their authentic sound, and fans came running. Softcult is a breath of fresh air in the music industry, with fiery lyrics and dreamy guitar riffs.
Riot Grrrl Revival
Softcult’s scripture zine covers.
Riot-grrrl culture is at the forefront of Softcult. The band has adopted many traits of the 90s riot grrrl movement, such as making political statements during shows and relying on DIYs. Phoenix handles production and artwork; Mercedes writes, produces, directs, and edits their personal music videos. Softcult releases a monthly zine called SCripture, another riot-grrrl way. Zines gave women in the 90s the opportunity to voice their experiences and enact change regarding sexism and racism in their communities.
The hand-made zines filled with poetry, artwork, and opinion pieces discuss important issues in a raw and compelling way. SCripture Volume 38 is a political statement from the band after the U.S. 2024 presidential election.
One of the Pack
another bish by softcult cover art. courtesy of easy life records.
As a queer and feminist band, the two wanted to be loud about the obstacles that women and feminine-presenting people face both inside and outside of the music industry. The band’s first single, “Another Bish,” was released in 2021, with a mixed-media cover of a woman’s face with a dog’s mouth, and her neck chained on a leash. The lyrics, “I won’t sit, I won’t stay / rollover, obey / I’m just another bish that you’ll never tame,” are rebellious and tell listeners that they won’t be controlled.
Softcult’s music and artwork are their voice. The song, “One of the Pack,” is the band’s feminist anthem. When the track was released, Softcult said in an interview, “...we wanted to celebrate women supporting women… we want anyone listening to our music to know that people of colour, trans women, and non-binary people will always be a welcome and crucial part of our grrrl gang.” The music video features Ontario drag performer Miss Conduct, and meaningful lyrics, such as “Girl, if you need me / you know I’ve got your back / I hope when you see me / you know you’re one of the pack.” The lyrics send an important message to all women that there are people who see, love, and support them. In an overwhelmingly hateful world, Softcult welcomes people of all backgrounds to enjoy their music.
Softcult’s dreamy, progressive sound and confessional lyrics throughout their discography are reminders that the punk and riot grrrl movement is still alive. This is just the beginning. In 2024, the band opened for both Incubus and MUSE and was nominated for Alternative Album of the Year at the Juno Awards for their 2023 EP, See You in the Dark.
The band’s debut album, When a Flower Doesn’t Grow, is out on January 30, 2026.
Kayla Latulippe is a level 3 Professional Writing student at Algonquin College. Though she’s still learning, she feels most powerful when connecting with her indigenous (Mi’qmak) heritage. If she’s not studying, she’s indulging in some kind of art–music, writing, photography, painting, and most notably–drag. She was introduced to Canada’s Drag Race in 2020, which skyrocketed into an unhealthy obsession with all things drag, so much so that she started a fan page. Life is a drag, so we know, but she still makes the most of it.