New Release: In Echo by Soft Palms (Everloving Records)

Julia Kugel and Scott Montoya of Soft Palms want struggling bands to know: you’ve got this. With their shimmering sophomore album In Echo, they’ve also provided a roadmap for bands eager to master the art of booking gigs, selling merch, and thriving in the music world.

Let’s dive into the music. Kugel, famed as the powerhouse vocalist of Atlanta’s all-female punk trio the Coathangers, has been shaking up stages for two decades. She’s also carved out a solo path as Julia, Julia. Soft Palms is Kugel and her partner in both music and life, Montoya, beloved for his time with the Growlers. They have crafted a sound that floats between dreamy pop and fuzzy garage, inviting listeners into their lush sonic world.

On the lead-off track “Garbage in the Sand,” Kugel sings, “Something in my head don’t feel right” over a dark and lovely surf-pop guitar, her voice providing dreamy echoes of ’60’s-style brilliance. The rat-a-tat-tat drums raise the heart rate and you instantly want to hear this live. The following tracks continue to prove how good In Echo sounds, with “Nervous as Hell” spouting off about the news media’s role in scaring the shit out of everyone.

“Radio” punches back (again) at the 24-hour news cycle of fear (mainly FOX News). It’s clear the Palms are feeling what we’re all feeling. When will it end?

And to what can we attribute the moniker Soft Palms? Is it referencing the indigenous trees from the duo’s Long Beach home, or memories of that favorite masseuse / masseur? Whatever the case, it’s a great band name with a great band sound.

Now, onto the book. Kugel and Montoya have released a companion piece to Echo, a self-help book for musicians How to Be Self-Reliant in the Music Business. “We are trying to help educate people on how to be self-reliant,” said Montoya. “You can do this. It doesn’t have to be so nebulous.” The website declares, “No book can teach you everything you need to know, especially about being a musician, but reading this will save you time, money, stress and heartache.” The couple appear to be paying forward their years of experience.

Additionally, the two started a nonprofit called Studios for Schools, providing recording equipment to underprivileged schools free of charge. All this and the free Happy Sundays music fest, taking place in the Zaferia neighborhood of Long Beach. Both aforementioned endeavors have been running for the past decade. It’s clear Kugel and Montoya are here to serve their community.

For more information on the band, the album, and the book, visit SoftPalms.com and their Bandcamp page.

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