The Softies Announce First Album in 24 Years, ‘The Bed I Made’ – Out August 23 + Tour Dates!

The Softies, one of the most beloved minimal pop acts of all time, announce their first album in 24 years, *The Bed I Made*, set to release on August 23 via Father/Daughter Records. The band returns with the lead single “I Said What I Said,” which picks up right where they left off, featuring lyrics about escape, forward momentum, and self-forgiveness, all set to twangy, minimal guitar playing. The single is accompanied by a warmhearted video set in a sun-soaked forest clearing, reintroducing a band that has only grown stronger away from the spotlight.

The Softies have also announced tour dates in Glasgow and North America throughout the summer and fall. More information can be found below.

Rose Melberg and Jen Sbragia share about “I Said What I Said”: “Over the course of our 30-year friendship, there were bound to be experiences that would befall us both, sometimes at the same time, sometimes years apart. ‘I Said What I Said’ encapsulates a shared desire for escape, a push towards forward momentum, and unapologetic self-forgiveness for not always being able to speak the truth.”

Some things transcend time: friendship, self-discovery, the excitement of love, and the awakening that comes with new beginnings. These eternal feelings are embodied by The Softies, whose songs convey galaxy-sized emotions with stunning grace and straightforwardness. The chemistry between Melberg and Sbragia has resulted in a minimal pop soundworld unlike any other, producing albums that articulate upheaval, joy, confusion, and metamorphosis using almost exclusively guitar and vocals. Active throughout the ’90s, The Softies existed outside of scenes, eras, and ideologies, creating music in their unique, ever-changing snow globe.

Since Melberg and Sbragia began writing their beautiful songs of fire and melancholy, much has changed, but the timelessness of The Softies is more apparent than ever on *The Bed I Made*, their first new album in 24 years.

Formed in January 1994 as an outlet for more experimental sounds after Melberg’s punk band Tiger Trap grew too popular, The Softies recorded albums for Slumberland and K, toured a bit, and created vulnerable statements that contrasted sharply with the post-grunge and indie rock scene of the late ’90s. Their music, powerful in its hush, stood out amidst the louder acts of the time.

In the early 2000s, both members focused on other projects, but The Softies never officially broke up. They began reuniting for special live sets as early as 2012, performing their now-classic songs. Life continued, bringing both joy and difficulty, including the loss of both their mothers within two months of each other. This shared pain led them to rediscover the comfort of writing music together, using sad songs as a lifeline.

As Sbragia experienced a musical rejuvenation, shows began happening again, and after attending the Oakland Weekender in 2022, she felt it was time for a new Softies album. The world was ready, and so were they.

Though living in separate cities (Melberg in Vancouver, BC, and Sbragia in Portland, Oregon), the duo met up over nine months to write, demo, and detail new material, eventually recording in Anacortes, Washington. The sessions produced music true to The Softies’ original vision, with songs like “Tiny Flame” and “California Highway 99” showcasing their signature sound.

Melberg’s evolution as a songwriter is evident in the refined vocal harmonies and sophisticated arrangements on tracks like “Go Back In Time” and “I Said What I Said.” While the music blooms from their immutable friendship, *The Bed I Made* also reflects their growth as artists and people. This brilliant return after so many years is also their first album with Father/Daughter Records.

Check out “I Said What I Said” below: