SOFT SET

[ Interview with Soft Set by Bernardo Jiménez Mesa. Photographs: Heidi Athay. ]

SONIC REVERIE AND DISCOVERY WIT TORONTO'S SOFT SET

We are about to discover a duo formed by James Gray and Nathan Athay, called Soft Set. A project from Toronto, Canada that has a connection with another of the artists found in this issue, the new Soft Set EP, "Never Die" was mixed by Mark Gardener, from this and from the life of this duo they responded to us And this is the result…

The “Never Die”single has been quite a beautiful surprise for us at the magazine. One can hear several different influences but the outcome is quite unique. It sounds Indie, Dream-Pop and Shoegaze in equal parts. May you tell us a bit about your musical influences?

Thanks! We’re glad you and everyone at the magazine like the single. We’ve been very surprised at the reception we’ve received considering no one really knows who we are except in our little music scene circles here in Toronto. Influences? Definitely fans of Slowdive, MBV and RIDE (of course). We also enjoy bands like Felt, Moose, Radio Dept etc.

Apart from those musical influences, any other artists (from any discipline) or writers that inspire your music and/or lyrics?

I believe we inspire each other, really. Whenever we go in the studio, we always try to give everything we can for each song and because there’s only the two of us, we feel that each of us has to work that much harder to deliver!

Being this single, and the forthcoming EP, your debut, may you share with us some of your musical background and history as artists?

Sure! Both James and I have been playing music for over twenty years and it all really started in high school where I was playing drums for a local shoegaze/dream pop act called “Watercolour”. James got a guitar around that time and learned all of the songs we were playing and stepped in occasionally when the lead guitarist couldn’t attend a show. The band only lasted a few years, but James and I continued to work on other projects both together and separately in other bands. Even when we were playing in other bands, James and I never lost touch and played music together whenever we could. Now we’re here!

We read about Mike Gardener mixing the single Never Die, is that correct? Did he work mixing the rest of the EP as well? We’d like to know about how your paths crossed and how was it for you working with him?

Yeah! Mark mixed the entire EP and it was such an honour working with one of our heroes! We learned a lot throughout the entire process and it

was amazing to hear our music really unfold whenever we received mixes back from Mark. The process was pretty seamless. We’d send Mark the tracks and we’d go back and forth with notes for a bit until both parties were satisfied with the final product and then we’d move on to the next song. We’re really pleased with the final results and we hope that whoever listens to the album likes it too!

Is Soft Set a duo when playing live too? Or it becomes a full band on stage?

I think it all depends on the shows and where they are. James and I are currently rehearsing for upcoming shows in Toronto with just the two of us, but we’ve got some very talented friends that can help out with the live elements whenever needed. We would love to have a 4, or 5 piece if we had a tour in place in the future!

What is the origin of the name Soft Set? What it means to you?

Haha! This was actually the hardest part of the whole project! James and I pondered over the name for the longest time and we really decided on Soft Set when Mark Gardener asked us for a name, so he could start mixing the tracks! We had a few names in mind, but Soft Set sounded right for the kind of music we play.

What are your plans for the near future?

It’s pretty much business as usual for us at E5 Studios here in Toronto! We’re trying to meet up whenever we can to rehearse for upcoming shows and to work on new music!

Once all this Covid-19 madness is over (if such a thing is possible),

will you consider coming to South America to play? In the last 6 or 7 years, there's been a growing new audience for Dream-pop and Shoegaze in our countries, and we reckon Soft Set music could fit in perfectly in those circles.

We’d love to play in South America if ever we get the chance! We’ve heard similar things in that there’s a growing scene and demand for shoegaze and dream pop acts and we’d love to come down and see the great things that are happening over there!

Is there anything else that you’d like to add or tell to our readers?

Thanks for listening to our music and stay safe out there!

The13th UNA REVISTA IMAGINARIA