The Bad Penny (beta)

It seems like only a month ago when Julia Kugel of the garage-punk band Julia, Julia talked with yours truly about her three cats for an installment of Pet Sounds for New Noise. And it seems like only two months ago when this writer interviewed Kugel for a FLOOD feature about another one of her projects, the punk supergroup Julia & the Squeezettes. Well, that’s because it was.

So, it came as a surprise when Kugel dropped The Bad Penny a line over the weekend to say that she not only has a new single and upcoming album by another one of her projects, Soft Palms—but that she’s about to tour behind it too.

Soft Palms is an indie-pop band of the dreamy variety and also features Scott Montoya, formerly of the Growlers. On Friday, they released the succulent new single “Radio,” a jangly jingle that raises high hopes for Kugel and Montoya’s upcoming full-length, In Echo (Everloving). Check it our fer yerself right here:

Kugel—who is still perhaps best known for yet another one of her bands, the Coathangers—explained why the time was right for Soft Palms to roll out the catchy tune when they did.

“We just had to put out a song since it has been five years since the (self-titled) debut LP,” Kugel told The Bad Penny. “It was driving us crazy not to have new music out there. … ‘Radio’ was recorded and mixed here at our studio, and we also shot and edited the video here. We have no concrete release date (for the album) yet, but are working on it. And our goal is to win a Grammy, (so it will be well worth the wait).”

Montoya elaborated on their joint aspiration in a press statement.

“Julia and I have over 40 years combined experience in music. ‘Radio’ will be our combined 352nd track on our combined 46th release, but it’s the first time we’ve ever thought to submit our work to the Recording Academy for Grammy consideration,” said Montoya, who clearly has a knack for accounting. Our best bets are the categories of Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Alternative Music Performance, Best Alternative Music Album, Best Music Video and (since nothing released in 2020 counts) Best New Artist.”

In Echo is still awaiting a release date, but Soft Palms are so enthusiastic about their latest endeavor, they’re not wasting any time bringing at least some music from it to the people.

Here are Soft Palms’ upcoming performances:

4.18: Slo, CA – Libertine Brew
4.19: Visalia, CA – The Cellar Door
4.20: Reno, NV – Lo-Bar Social
4.22: Bend, OR – Silver Moon Brewing
4.24: Seattle, WA – Chop Suey
4.25: Eugene, OR – Sam Bond’s Garage
4.26: Portland, OR – Swan Dive
4.27: Sacramento, CA – Old Ironsides
5.1: Hermosa Beach, CA – Saint Rocke

For more on Soft Palms, their music and upcoming tour, head to their website and Bandcamp page.

Photo courtesy of JJ.