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Soccer Mommy, the musical project of beloved Nashville songwriter and musician Sophie Allison, recently announced her staggering new album Evergreen. She has highlighted the more organic production of this record with the breathtaking, acoustic-forward “Lost,” and “M,” and today she shares a new side of the record with “Driver.” A classic, catchy-as-hell Soccer Mommy rocker, “Driver” is a testament to Allison’s spaciness and indecision; it’s a cheeky song about someone who is willing to deal with those flaws, to love you in spite of them. Listen to the song now HERE
"’Driver’ is a love song that’s really about someone being there for you in spite of your shortcomings. It’s more light hearted than some of the other songs I’ve put out this year, using my distractedness as a bit of a punchline,” explains Allison.
Soccer Mommy also announces a massive, four-month North American, UK and European tour in support of Evergreen today. In addition to her forthcoming performance at NYC and DC’s All Things Go later this month, Soccer Mommy will bring the new album on the road from January through the end of May.
The new single was teased over the past week with a “How’s My Driving?” hotline and bumper stickers mailed to fans, and today Soccer Mommy unveils a new “Driver” themed merch line with keychains, bumper stickers, and more. Plus, the announcement of a Soccer Mommy x Plushie Love collaboration, check out the retail store and the “Evergreen” plushie HERE.
Allison began her career as a teenager, sharing music on Bandcamp in near-demo form. Recent years have found her enjoying synthesizers and experimental production, thanks to endless studio resources newly at her fingertips. But when Allison wrote the songs for Evergreen, she knew they called for a different touch. Songwriting has always been Allison’s way to sort through life and ground herself, so – as she crafted this album in the wake of a profound and personal loss – it felt important to keep these songs raw and relatable, unvarnished and honest. By opting for more organic production and shining a spotlight on her songwriting, Allison did just that. The result is Evergreen, a sonic return to Soccer Mommy's roots, but recast on a cinematic scale with the help of acoustic guitars, lush strings and flutes. Nothing overindulgent, everything real.
Evergreen was made by Allison in Atlanta’s Maze Studios with producer Ben H. Allen III (Deerhunter, Animal Collective, Youth Lagoon, Belle and Sebastian), and will be released on October 25th via Loma Vista Recordings.
After making waves with her critically acclaimed debut EP Sometimes I Forget You're Human Too, Bored at My Grandmas House, AKA Leeds-based Amber Strawbridge, announces her debut album Show & Tell for June 7th via CLUE Records (The Wedding Present, Van Houten, YOWL) / EMI North (Nadine Shah) as well as a a London headline date at MOTH Club on October 16th.
The title track is out now with the reveal of the record - following late 2023 release ‘Inhibitions’. Reminiscent of artists like Soccer Mommy, Snail Mail, and Alvvays, ‘Show & Tell’ is a breezy track which meets at the intersection between dream-pop, bedroom-pop and shoegaze, the sprightly guitar work echoing the droll lyrics and themes. It’s a hooky song which lays bare difficulties with trust, and building walls for self-protection. As Amber explains:
“Show & Tell is quite a tongue-in-cheek song about me being the opposite of an open book and all the little specific things about me that I sometimes wish were different. Overall it’s about me being a guarded person and fearing the possibility of having to be vulnerable and realising that vulnerability is actually a beautiful thing and something i shouldn’t be so scared of.”
On her debut album, Amber explores a broad range of heavy topics including anxiety, friendship, introspection, love, human greed, mental health, loss and empathy (or a lack of it) in the world. Despite the breadth of themes covered, each track deals with the weight of the subject with real conviction, while not losing any of Amber’s trademark pop sensibilities. She elaborates a little more on the thematic process:
“The main overall theme of this album is connection. Connection with myself, connection with the world and connection to the people around me who I love. This album is for me first and foremost and was a way for me to internally process.
The origin of these tracks all stem from me wanting to understand these connections and process my emotions surrounding them. The album covers topics such as the power of queer love, humanity and its ‘delusions of grandeur’, reflection and purpose.
It would be unwise to say that I haven’t developed and changed a lot since my EP. I’ve experienced more, questioned more, felt more and allowed myself to be vulnerable more - which I hope translates throughout the Album.”
Amber has received support and coverage from DIY, Dork, Clash, BBC Radio 1, BBC 6Music, Rough Trade and more in the past, and has played Glastonbury, BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend, Swn Festival, Standon Calling, Deer Shed (main stage) and more.
Originally from Cumbria but now based in Leeds, Amber began recording music in 2017 using garageband on her phone; she updated her bedroom set-up after saving up to buy a laptop and Logic Pro. After a couple of years of self taught production and recording Amber began working with Clue Records, releasing her debut EP 'Sometimes I Forget You're Human Too' which gained critical acclaim and sold out two pressings all before Amber had ever played a single gig.
Amber wrote and recorded all the demos for her debut album in her bedroom, before taking them to The Nave studio where she worked with Alex Greaves to give them a studio twist, allowing them to fulfil their rightful potential.