Sophs - GOLDSTAR - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

The Sophs' honesty, flamingly intrusive thoughts, and genre-spreading caught the attention of Rough Trade founders Geoff Travis and Jeannette Lee immediately. When Ramon sent a demo reel out to his favorite indies, he wasn't expecting any replies. But Travis and Lee were in his inbox the next day, asking if he'd hop on a call.Rough Trade heard the sort of creativity and variety - and Inchdon't expect me to act prettyInch sentiment - that could get The Sophs - including Ramon, Sam Yuh (keyboards), Austin Parker Jones (electric guitar), Seth Smades (acoustic guitar), Devin Russ (drums), and Cole Bobbitt (bass) - a slot on nearly any stage. They heard a five-song seed of their debut record GOLDSTAR, out March 13th, 2026At any moment, The Sophs are entering pop-punk; blazing through funk; talk-singing to the audience. Their enthusiasm for every iteration is evident, and Ramon's rich, full voice deftly nestles into endless categories, utterly chameleonic.InchWe never try to be as versatile as we end up being,Inch Ramon said. GOLDSTAR has a Delta Blues-style song; it has a ZZ Top-inspired tune. To some degree, The Sophs see song creation like pop art they're focused on the idea of reproducing something over and over again until it's meaningless.The genre mix comes on the heels of sparks of inspiration Ramon will bring Yuh a song and pull out a piece (e.g., InchI want drums like thatInch) and they'll create something altogether new. Take the vaudevillian InchTHE DOG DIES IN THE END.Inch In an aughts pop-punk croon, Ramon takes listeners through a laundry list of intrusive, cruel thoughts, cresting over Yuh's accordion. On sunny-rock InchDEATH IN THE FAMILY,Inch he's similarly disaffected, with the tongue-in-cheek refrain InchI need a death in the familyInch seeking pity and attention that covers up any misdeeds.