Oh look, Sydney went to another local show to see a Connecticut based band (shocker). This time around I got to catch soft spot, a band from Stamford, on a mini tour celebrating the release of their first album This Will Make You Cry. The debut album was released on June 13th and includes most of the band’s newest singles.

Western Reserve opened the show at Cafe Nine with their two currently released singles as well as some unreleased work. The second act of the night was Truther, a band that has only been active since the beginning of the year. I thought they were great for only having played live for the first time in January, and I’m interested in seeing where they go from here. Thee Windows from Baltimore took the stage next and were also celebrating an important milestone as a band. This show was the first night of their first proper tour across the east coast.

soft spot served as headliners for the evening and, despite being down a member for the evening (you were very missed Dave), were clear standouts among the rest of the lineup. The set opened with “Loose,” which also serves as the opening track of This Will Make You Cry. “Loose” has been out since January, and is a great choice for introducing listeners to soft spot. The lyrics describe the feelings of having no control over your negative thoughts, something I know I can unfortunately relate to. We can all empathize with feeling like a loose cannon when our thoughts start to consume us.

I really enjoyed the performance of “Use Me,” another previously released single turned album track, because it highlighted each band members’ strengths. Lead singer and guitarist Gianni Carpanzano showcased remarkable guitar technique and exceptional vocals, while drummer Marc Marenco rocked a pair of shades as they played the fuck out of the drums. At the conclusion of this song, Gianni mentioned how the absence of bass player Dave Eisermann felt unusual as they’re used to playing as a trio. I thought that Gianni and Marc did an incredible job with the adjustment and their performance was not hindered in any way. They continued to play the album in full and although it did not make me cry, it did make me a fan. I know I will be seeing soft spot again in the future, and hopefully next time Dave will be able to make it.

Follow soft spot on Instagram.

All photos appear courtesy of Sydney Aldrin for Honorable Mention Magazine