Shoegaze and post-rock duo SOFTSUN (with Gary Arce and Pia Isaksen) to release new album on Heavy Psych Sounds; stream first track now!
Californian/Norwegian shoegaze and post-rock duo SOFTSUN have signed to Heavy Psych Sounds Records for the release of their sophomore album “Eternal Sunrise” on November 7th, and present the first track “A Hundred And Sixteen” today.
SoftSun is the result of a divine collaboration between visionary musicians from opposite sides of the world, from the Californian Mojave Desert to the ever-inspiring grounds of Norway. Vocalist and bass player Pia Isaksen grew up in Norway, while Gary Arce is based in Southern California’s Mojave Desert.
Their environments are nearly palpable in their beautifully heavy yet ethereal sound. Arce’s dreamscaping cinematic guitar soundscapes give a stark contrast of balance to Pia Isaksen’s heavy melodic bass-driven compositions as her ethereal vocals levitate the sound and bring a dreamlike shoegaze quality to the songs. On their second offering and Heavy Psych Sounds debut, SoftSun plunges deeper into their sonic journey. The result is a masterful and moody exploration — at once beautifully experimental and utterly organic — pushed by the gentle percussions of drummer Robert Garson.
SOFTSUN “Eternal Sunrise”
Out November 7th on Heavy Psych Sounds – Preorder
TRACKLIST:
1. Sacred Heart
2. A Hundred and Sixteen
3. Anywhere But Here
4. Sleep the Day Away
5. Abandoned Lands
6. Cremation Sunlight
SoftSun was formed in 2023 by Gary Arce and Pia Isaksen after they had been wanting to make music together for several years. It all started in 2020 when Arce played guitar on the first album of Isaksen’s solo project Pia Isa. Discovering how perfectly their musical expressions fit together, they knew they really wanted to create more music together. With Arce’s unique and beautiful guitar melodies and sounds, Isaksen’s heavy bass and haunting vocals, combined with Dan Joeright’s perfectly patient drumming, SoftSun delivers heavy, mellow, and dreamy music with its own sound.
After a few years of collaborating on two of Pia’s albums from opposite sides of the planet (Moss in Norway and Yucca Valley in California) and becoming good friends, Gary and Pia finally met in person in late 2023. They instantly became inseparable and started planning their musical project.
Released in the fall of 2024, their debut album “Daylight in the Dark” on Ripple Music is a profound journey into shadowy, expansive soundscapes. Hailed as “a truly majestic work of art” by UK website Outlaws of the Sun, the record masterfully conjures a vibe where dark and atmospheric psychedelia feel like reverberating out over the desert at nightfall — an immersive experience that creates “something that will haunt you long after you step away from these tracks” as stated by Joshua Tree Voice.
SOFTSUN line-up
Gary Arce – Guitars
Pia Isaksen – Bass and vocals
Robert Garson – Drums
SOFTSUN links
Facebook⎪Bandcamp⎪Instagram⎪Spotify
RIPPLE MUSIC links
Website⎪Facebook⎪Bandcamp⎪Instagram
