Big Soft Punch and the hard edges and complex emotionality of "Monty"

 

"She drinks Sanka in the afternoon / Or when she’s feeling different..."

There is so much to love within the song "Monty" by Portland's Big Soft Punch from their recently released debut album "Eons". There is the divergent construction. From the onset, the side stepping bass line signals indie rock intricacies ahead and there are. I absolutely love the askew guitar lines, dynamic drums and punchy down beats and upswings that feel born out of the bubbling protoplasm of late 70's proto punk, mid 80's power pop and 90's art rock. Not to mention the sonic vast and curious poetry that comes from lead singer, Allyson Stodola's mouth. Her vocal aesthetic that somehow feels either sagely beyond her years or wrapped in the steely eyed hard and crusty fatalism of someone who may or may not of punched in the air too many times is so moving. I love the way the lyrics are drawn:

"Kaleidoscope tapestry / Her daughter bought in Milwaukee / Keep it in your room she said / It doesn’t match the farm aesthetic

There’s nothing for you in the city

There’s nothing for you in the city"

"Monty" begs and cajoles me to dive into "Eons" and I will. Love everything about this song. Big Soft Punch deliver emotional and musical complexities and as I listened I flashed on bands / artists like Pavement, Sonic Youth, The Breeders and Courtney Barnett. I also reflected on how parents damage their kids even gently without even knowing it. Press notes indicate that the band crafted their debut album "across multiple basements" in true DIY fashion and I love that as well. I have poured myself a drink. Here's to Monty wherever you are roaming.

Big Soft Punch is comprised of Allyson Stodola (Lead Vocals & Guitar), Jared Holsinger (Lead Guitar), Melissa Mattson (Drums & Vocals) and Pete Freund (Bass).

-Robb Donker Curtius 






THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM - PRESS NOTES:

https://www.instagram.com/bigsoftpunch.music/

https://bigsoftpunch.bandcamp.com/album/eons

https://linktr.ee/BigSoftPunch

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4wr92cRgKiiDBwlXWReuhc

Big Soft Punch was formed in mid-2019 and was brought together by lead singer, Allyson Stodola. Made up of 4 Portland, OR transplants, the group met serendipitously through college, tinder (indirectly), and hanging around Portland. By February 2020 they played their first show but were forced into hibernation because of global circumstances. The subsequent period of time was spent fine-tuning songs, recording, and completing their debut album, Eons, across multiple basements. Over the next year, in true DIY fashion, the band’s lead guitarist, Jared Holsinger, and his twin brother John mixed and mastered the album. With their freshman album complete, the band is working on new songs (still in basements) and looking forward to finally playing live again soon.

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We get by with a little help from our friends

 

Big Soft Punch, Indie Rock, Garage Rock, Portland, Oregon, songwriter, Allyson Stodola, DIY fashion, divergent rock, sideways movements, personal storytelling, debut album, "Eons", "Monty",