There’s a certain unspoken camaraderie that can be found in bars, venues, basements, and backyard shows across the nation. While it may not be directly defined and openly stated, it can be visualized in moments when crowds collectively sway to songs they love, people work together to lift up fallen fans in the center of pits, and bands happily interact with their audience members while selling bespoke merch and sharing entertaining tour stories.
That same unspoken energy and passion were also found in the swirling and energetic crowd that swarmed the stage at The Olympic Venue in Boise this past Sunday while Black Lips and Soft Palms captivated and enthralled in ways that seemed almost intrinsic in nature.
The show began at 8 p.m. and, despite it being a quiet Sunday night in Idaho elsewhere, the crowd only continued to grow as Soft Palms began their ethereal and truly mesmeric set. Playing songs off their self-titled 2020 album, the husband-and-wife duo had the entire crowd bobbing their heads and dancing whimsically even despite the fact that they personally had experienced traffic troubles on the way there and were admittedly exhausted from the excursion.
While they lamented their late arrival and weather setbacks to us later, at the moment they shared between the audience and their mystical music, signs of their fatigue were nowhere to be found. Instead, the enigmatic band seemed to play with a sense of energy and ease that not only showcased their talent as musicians but also their in-sync nature both on and off the stage.
Although every song was almost hauntingly beautiful to hear in person, the crowd seemed to perk up even further as their most popular song on various streaming apps entitled “Rainbows” began. Julia Kugel, lead singer of Soft Palms and past member of The Coathangers and White Woods, seemed to glide across the guitar neck as she sang passionately and gained the attention of everyone in the venue including the bouncer and bartenders with ease.
In this same moment, Scott Montoya, drummer of Soft Palms and former member of The Growlers, seemed to enter a world of his own while playing rhythmic patterns that enhanced the songs further than what even I thought possible.
As the band finished their set, the crowd cheered sincerely and emphatically whilst quickly forming a line at the merch table in hopes of picking up some of their visually stunning patches, shirts, posters, pins, and albums while they lasted.
While the humble duo charmed their fans and continued to sell away, the members of Black Lips slowly began to trickle onto the stage and prepare for their upcoming set one instrument and microphone at a time.
After a few minutes, the entire band was on stage and began playing songs from their latest album, Apocalypse Love, as well as other popular releases throughout the 23 years they’ve been creating ‘auditory perfection.’
Zumi Rosow shined on the stage in a stunning red Black Lips shirt paired with leather-type pants and a neckpiece that all seemed to scream Andy Prieboy-era Wall of Voodoo and Lords of The New Church fashion-forward grit. Meanwhile, the rest of the band also looked and felt both nostalgic as well as innovative and modern all at once.
This sense of familiarity paired with unapologetic originality bled over into their music as well while they played old favorites and new favorites alike for an audience that truly couldn’t get enough. With each new upbeat song, the crowd jumped and thrashed around in a unanimous wave that quite literally shook the ground below us and felt incredible to be a part of in the moment and beyond it.
This energy only continued to grow as they played what most streaming services consider their most popular song, “Bad Kids.” The crowd began to swirl around and form an even larger pit as everyone sang along in unison like a collective of like-minded misfits and creatives ‘finding their people’ and rejoicing at last.
With each lyric, you could tell the meaning was deeper than the surface level for most of the audience as it’s easy to relate when you’re a creative or trendsetter in the generations of today and tomorrow.
Even in the more intimate moments of the performance, the passion and excitement remained in ways that clearly showed just how influential, inspiring, and incredible this band truly is to everyone that sees and hears them.
As the set finally came to an end, the crowd reached an impressive size, and everyone seemed to clap heartily and thankfully for the performance they had just experienced collectively. Even Soft Palms had danced along throughout the set and was now cheering for the band as sincerely and heavily as the rest of the audience.
Yet again, the merch line grew, and the band began to leave the stage and mingle with fans in a very charismatic and magnetic manner. Everyone waited patiently for a chance to chat with the band they loved, and Soft Palms continued to sell merch as well before attendees began to slowly but surely trickle out the door.
After the merch table’s line died down, we were fortunate enough to be able to sit down with Soft Palms and share a diverting and impassioned conversation with them both about everything from their adorable first ‘meet cute’ at SXSW all the way to their plans for the future and their goals to empower young students through music.
While we could simply explain what was said in short, it’s the details that make this conversation so valuable and highly entertaining for us at Blank Generation as well as our readers.
With that being said, check out the full interview with Soft Palms below! In our exclusive interview, you’ll find exactly why this band is unequivocally a ‘sonic force to be reckoned with.’ Soft Palms easily enchants and enthralls their listeners with talent and beauty that can only come from the combination of love and passion this married band epitomizes—and we can’t wait for you to experience it for yourselves:
Blank Generation: As a band during what many consider a pivotal time in music history, do you think that the music of today will truly inspire future generations in ways that the music of the past has inspired us?
Scott Montoya, Soft Palms: I hope so. I think what’s happening right now. There’s more of a philosophical thing that could happen with music. I think there’s a lot of people making it. There are a lot of people that are able to make it. And that’s really awesome. And I’m hoping that if they’re influenced by the right people, like, you know, Black Lips, their new album is just so awesome. The way it sounds. It’s so heavy and huge sounding. I strive for something different. We’re all predicting that this album will be such a great inspiration for anyone listening to it. And I’m like, shit, it sounds different than anything fucking on the radio right now.
I think people are ready for that, too, because we’ve been sugar puffs and too complacent, and what I’m finding is that the kids coming up right now are sick of that. They see through it, they’re going to house shows, and they are going to DIY shows, and they’re interested in the realness of music. So I hope, and I think it’s going to become the next Renaissance, yeah.
It all depends on their influence. And I feel like people are putting a lot of political philosophy in the music and I think that’s cool. Yeah, it’s a new movement that has started.
Blank Generation: On TikTok, you’ll see The King Khan & BBQ Show or Mother Mother, and these bands are more indie and from unique genres that aren’t played on the radio all day long, but now they’re getting mass praise online, and finally, having their time in the limelight. Do you think that that is going to continue? Do you think it’s just a fad right now or do you think that that’s something that’s going to influence these children to want to pursue bands that are not necessarily in the mainstream and helping them to reach the audience they deserve to reach?
Scott Montoya, Soft Palms: I do. Basically, what happened is that they just turned the camera on themselves because they’ve always been amazing performers. He’s a fantastic character of a person and bigger than life. And so, as our generation of people are comfortable with turning the camera on themselves and showing that side of themselves, I feel like people are going to be drawn to genuine music. This is especially true on TikTok, where authenticity is so important, and I think it is really funny that this generation values authenticity so much more despite having social media.
Blank Generation: What is the weirdest or most badass thing that has ever happened at one of your shows?
Scott Montoya, Soft Palms: That’s a tough question because so many things have happened. Yeah, I mean, you know, like, I’ve given away guitars at shows, which was super sick, and we’ve had to tell many people to fuck off. Wait! I know what happened at a show! I met my beautiful wife. We met in Dallas, and that was fun.
Blank Generation: Okay, can you can you elaborate on that? Because I was going to ask you guys about that.
Julia Kugel, Soft Palms: The Sunday after SXSW, our friend, John, throws NOT SO FUN WKND, like a little festival in Dallas. And The Growlers played. And I was like, “This man is pretty cool.” And then, he offered me a beer, and we’ve been together ten years. We just celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary on October 14th.
Blank Generation: That’s one hell of a meet-cute! Now, Burger Records and Burgerama ceased to exist in 2020. And we know you guys were both connected to the events and the label in your past projects. What are your feelings on the label’s fall? Do you think something similar will come to be once more?
Scott Montoya, Soft Palms: [Speaking to wife, Julia Kugel] Oh, handle this one, yeah?
Julia Kugel, Soft Palms: Yeah, okay. I think that there is a humongous hole in music right now because of the collapse of Burger Records. What they did for musicians, independent artists, female musicians, and just independent music in general. They created a worldwide thing.
I can’t comment on anything that happened, but what they did was huge. And it is sorely missed. I hope that something non-corporate comes along again to fill that space, and I think that’s the main thing. There are some things getting filled in, but they’re filled by major promoters. And I think that’s hardly the same.
We throw a festival in Long Beach called Happy Sundays. We’re trying to fill in that gap of really celebrating music and not numbers because that’s what a lot of these people who book festivals do. They just look at Spotify numbers, which can be bought, follower numbers, which can be bought, and YouTube numbers, which can be bought. So, what they’re basing their decisions on is not necessarily reality. But I think there’s a grassroots thing coming again; it’s the kids—they want it. They don’t want to be sold; they want to rock out.
Actually, we have been working on a music video channel called The Mouth.tv. It’s in its early stages right now, but it’s not connected to YouTube. It’s totally its own thing. The plan is to eventually go to Subscriptions so that we can shove money out to the artists on the channel. It’s also only independent. All the independent love that the indie labels are giving is still really important, but there are some really phenomenal bands out there that don’t get the credit. Everything’s bought nowadays; you buy your place on Spotify and don’t even get me started on Spotify. Not a fan of that company. Yeah, everything they say just makes me so mad. I mean, you’re getting pennies. You’re getting pennies.
There’s literally a musician’s union that’s fighting for a penny per play, all because right now, we’re getting a fraction of that! Promoting your music on Spotify isn’t promoting your music; it’s promoting Spotify. And Apple Music, Tidal, Deezer, Amazon, they’re great for those that don’t want to pay for fucking YouTube, but it’s not very good for the artists.
Blank Generation: That actually segues into our next question. You guys run the non-profit Studios for Schools. Could you tell us more about this initiative and why you feel music is valuable in the education realm from a social and expressive perspective?
Julia Kugel, Soft Palms: Because it’s everything; it saves sanity and lives. And it’s so important for kids to express themselves. There are also technical aspects because part of Studios for Schools is actually building a studio. Scott then teaches the kids how to use the equipment, how to use the board, how to use microphones, and how to set them up. We’ve gotten them a drum set and guitars, and we teach them how to make music. We show them all the aspects of it because it’s so much bigger than just GarageBand on your phone. There’s a big industry, and you can make some money from that, especially on its technical side. People throw live events, and it’s very beneficial to know how to run sound and set up a show.
On a more serious note, some of these school shootings might not have happened if those people had an outlet and something that made them feel good about something they did or accomplished. Even if no one hears it or they just make a song, it’s so powerful and important to be proud of yourself for something and express yourself. I spent a lot of my years in a band where I screamed because I had so much pent-up shit, and it was my way of expressing that. You need to release that energy in a more positive way—and not in a virtual way, but in an actual, authentic way.
Blank Generation: Mark Twain once said, “There’s no such thing as an original idea. And while we can turn the old ideas into new curious combinations, they’re really just the same old pieces of colored glass that have been used through all the ages.” If that’s true, what artists helped to piece together your band’s curious combination, or do you think that concept is inaccurate and ideas can be original?
Scott Montoya, Soft Palms: I think that everyone has a voice. Everyone who speaks has a different way of speaking. We could say the same thing. I could say, ‘table and chairs,’ and it would sound different and come out different than if Julia said, ‘table and chairs.’ Yeah. There are only so many notes; just 12 notes make up the regular ass scales. But how many pieces of music are made with 12 notes? That’s obviously dumbed down, but everyone has their own style. Everyone has their own voice. And the combination is unlimited.
The style aspect is also part of this authenticity conversation. Everyone has their own style, and they deliver the message differently, and that’s the crazy part. It’s a different perspective, but it’s all so connected. We are part of a hive consciousness, so I think we are recycling some ideas that have influenced us. But maybe it’s more like a subconscious imitation, as I know I never create music to imitate others personally. I mean, Mark Twain said that statement using the alphabet, so he’s just repurposing letters. That’s like saying that Hemingway and Mark Twain use the same language, so they’re making the same stories. How many different books could they possibly write?
Personally, I think music inspired by other musicians is honorable. I mean, that’s who creates us, right? And then we perpetuate this, right? We bring it out into the world in our own way, and then it adds to the mass consensus, and then we all add to it repeatedly throughout our lives and it just becomes this hive mind.
Julia Kugel, Soft Palms: Yeah. Exactly. There are infinite ways of delivering; there are infinite ways of organizing. Everyone—people who haven’t even been born yet—will be influenced by a different combination of different factors. Therefore, whatever comes out of them is going to be unique.
Blank Generation: As a husband and wife dynamic duo band, do you feel the creation process is easier or more difficult? Does it help to know one another more deeply, or does it make it a bit more difficult to have independent ideas or disagree on things at times?
Julia Kugel, Soft Palms: We Don’t really disagree.
Scott Montoya, Soft Palms: Yeah, we’ve both been in bands that put a lot more pressure on it. And so we don’t stress about it.
Julia Kugel, Soft Palms: There’s more freedom, I think. Sometimes, a marriage dynamic will come out while we’re writing a song or something, but not really. It’s rather easy. And we know that we’re on the same side, so it doesn’t affect us.
Scott Montoya, Soft Palms: It’s not an ego thing. Yeah, no ego involved.
Blank Generation: If you could each meet one person in history, dead or alive, who would it be? And why?
Scott Montoya, Soft Palms: Oh, I know this one, too, because I’ve thought about this.
Julia Kugel, Soft Palms: I mean, it’d be fun to hang out with Hemingway. I’ve heard he’s an asshole, but—Oh, Kurt Vonnegut. I think I would just really enjoy having a conversation with him.
Scott Montoya, Soft Palms: It was a long ass drive today. I’m drawing a blank on this one.
Julia Kugel, Soft Palms: Marilyn Monroe! Yeah, absolutely. I think she had such an interesting, weirdo life.
Scott Montoya, Soft Palms: Just like experiencing someone like that who is so famous for a certain vibe, just seeing what they were like in real life would be cool. Because, you know, everyone has their thing. Some people just like glow in reality, like Julia. They just have this aura, and then you experience it in real life.
Julia Kugel, Soft Palms: Also, Martin Luther King. I always was fascinated by him.
Blank Generation: So, Julia, when talking about your album, you stated, “My goal was to create something that sounded like a mental hug, a sonic embrace. Everything can feel so wild and out of control, we really wanted to create something you could sink into and use to calm those emotions.” Would you consider music an integral part of mental health and, if so, what music in your life has calmed you both and felt like a ‘sonic embrace?’
Julia Kugel, Soft Palms: Chopin. I’m a big classical music person. And I think that music without words allows you to create your own dialogue about what’s going on. But I love Chopin.
Blank Generation: How about you, Scott?
Scott Montoya, Soft Palms: I’m drawing a blank on this one. Like, I guess it’s just kind of what I’m in the mood to listen to. Most of the time, it’s just silence.
Blank Generation: We have a playlist composed entirely of songs that musicians we interview are listening to when we chat with them. We’d love for you both to contribute to this. What music are you currently listening to?
Scott Montoya, Soft Palms: Yeah, Julia can answer that. She’s the DJ in the car.
Julia Kugel, Soft Palms: Well, there’s a song by Post Animal called “How Do You Feel?” It’s super good. So funky. I really love that song. What else? I have to look at my playlists.
Greg Gonzales has a new solo thing that’s super cool. He’s from from Cigarettes After Sex. Sorry has a super sick album out. And then it’s just old shit. I just listened to like a lot of The Rapture. They changed the landscape.
Blank Generation: Both of you come from some pretty prolific bands. How have your experiences in these past bands shaped your goals, musical expressions, and passions as musicians and overall artists?
Scott Montoya, Soft Palms: The Growlers, to me, in hindsight, was kind of like an internship. I got so much experience with graphic design—with building a website—because I did everything for that band. That just translates into everything that we’re currently doing, and that’s why it’s flowing so much easier. It also helped me learn how to tour and come back into it. This is my first tour in six years, since 2016. So it’s like riding a bike.
Julia Kugel, Soft Palms: Yeah, knowing how to tour, how to play, and how to be yourself. I tend to box myself in and say, “This is me here, and this is me there.” So I’m branching out and understanding that I am all those things at the same time. It’s kind of a bad thing I learned in being in The Coathangers. It is that I was “cuckoo for Coathangers,” and I played like this, and I sang like that, you know? I’m unlearning some of that stuff.
But, yeah, the work. The work was a really important thing to learn—how much work it takes. It’s not as easy as ‘you make a record and put it out, and it’s a big hit.’ It’s like, no, it’s so much more than that. So, yeah, the work ethic.
Scott Montoya, Soft Palms: Plus, being able to play small shows and big shows. Like being totally comfortable on stage no matter what. When you first start a band, you go play a show and say, “Oh, man, is it sold out? No, it’s not sold out.” Then you go and “Oh, it is sold out? Well, I’m freaking out.” That causes stress, and not coming at it and wanting to do drugs all the time like it’s a disco party is nice. Now, it’s chilling out. And the party phase is not the same party; it’s not the same in a good way.
Blank Generation: Okay, so, final question. If you could rate this interview on a scale of one to 10, what would it be? Keep in mind, I do hold grudges. I have a very sensitive personality. I may cry. Don’t worry about that, though. I’ll just, I’ll turn my back.
[Laughing]Scott Montoya, Soft Palms: I would give it a 10.
Julia Kugel, Soft Palms: I would give it a 10, too.