(Dead Soft / Bandcamp)
This is Dead Soft. A grunge, punk, dream-pop band from Vancouver, BC. Grunge-punk, as seen in their earlier works album ‘Dead Soft’ (2014), a raw fuzz-driven sound of classical grunge infused with punk energy. Dream-pop, with tracks like ‘The Static’ explores ethereal soundscapes with introspective lyrics. Then a taste of alternative rock as seen in their 2019 album ‘Big Blue’ – a refined polished sound of alt rock with melodic pop woven in.
If you have never heard Dead Soft’s sound before, then picture the grit of 90s grunge, the urgency of punk, and the introspection of dream-pop all rolled into one.
What is dream-pop you might ask? As written in Michael Priminani’s article of genre breakdown dream-pop is “immersive mystical rhythms. Synths and layered guitars soaked in reverb to sound like they are bellowing out of a cathedral, resting on a cloud.”
The band is composed of Nathaniel Epp on vocals and guitar. Keeley Rochon on bass and vocals. Kyle Schick on guitar, and Alex Smith on drums. Their 2018 EP New Emotion showcases this evolution of band sound from grunge to alt rock, where they are now. As some songs feature duelling guitars and playful harmonies, and then others dive into the dream-pop synth on a cloud themes.
In January 2025, Dead Soft performed at the Unreal City Music Festival in Vancouver, BC. Here they shared the stage with other well-known bands like La Lune and Aversions. If you’re into bands like early era Weezer, Built to Spill, or Smashing Pumpkins, mix in a little indie edge and you’ve found yourself at Dead Soft.
(Dead Soft / Facebook)
Guitarist Nathaniel Epp states in an article with Beat Route Magazine, “There has been no deliberate attempt to become heavier. I feel like our sound is just expanding in this way that makes the soft parts softer and the heavy parts heavier.” – Nathanial Epp
Bass and vocalist Keeley Rochon comments to writer Ryan Leas in an article by Stereogum that, “It’s about trusting that you will get to where you’re going. I didn’t know what that change would look like but I could feel it coming and braced myself with the fact that truth and love will prevail in the end.”
This is another addition that shows Dead Soft’s blend of musical intensity with emotional depth. The audience has never waned, and in fact grows as the band grows to find their true sound – inspired by their authenticity, introspection, and beautiful chords.
(Rickshaw Theatre)
The next show you can catch Dead Soft at will be May 9th, 2025 at the Rickshaw Theatre in Downtown Vancouver. This is a La Lune EP release show that they’ll be playing alongside with Woolworm and Hillsboro. Follow the links below to purchase your tickets!
Find out more about Dead Soft through the links below:
You can also find their music on Spotify and Bandcamp.
Purchase tickets to their upcoming Rickshaw Theatre show here.
Written by Volante Matheson, Radio Arts & Entertainment at BCIT
Contact: vmatheson1@my.bcit.ca