Indie Rockers The Soft Wear Channel 2020 Angst in Raw Album

Jhane Hoang
Indie Rockers The Soft Wear Channel 2020 Angst in Raw Album

"IT'S LIKE 2012, but times 20," muses a masked Tyler Price, 30, citing the apocalyptic film as he describes the year he and his bandmates, guitarist and vocalist Jose Sanchez, 32, and drummer Allen Edwards, 25, have had. Price provides additional vocals and plays bass guitar and keys in their indie-rock group The Soft Wear. The trio has gathered (six feet apart) on the grounds of the Menil.

In December, the band, which coalesced in 2018 after a series of fruitful jam sessions before playing its first show at an anniversary party for Montrose dive bar Poison Girl, released its self-titled debut album. The nine-track record, mixed and produced by Poison Moon Records' Kirk Campbell, has a feeling that makes one nostalgic for the foregone days of live shows. "The music I wanted us to make was music that feels like you're playing in a basement or at a show," says Sanchez, noting the band used to perform regular live shows at venues like Shoeshine Charlie's Big Top Lounge and Continental Club.


"We come from Jonathan Richman, and also Lou Reed," adds Price of their influences. "That rawness is unapologetic, and that makes it a bit easier in the songwriting process."

The bulk of the recording of the angsty album happened at the end of 2019 — before 99.9 percent of all people on earth were forced into cultivating their own level of simmering, social-isolation-induced angst. This worked out quite well for the album. "So much of it was based on my ideas of love, of fate, of running away, of swirling," says Sanchez. "Now, it kind of feels like everyone is feeling that way. … I feel like it's time for all of us to acknowledge that in ourselves."

The band, which used to practice at the East End's historically decrepit Francisco's, had originally planned to do some touring after the release of the album, but the pandemic has torpedoed those plans.

"We're probably pretty rusty now," laughs Price.

"But I'd love to play a show," muses a melancholic Edwards.

"Until it feels safe, it won't feel right," adds Sanchez.

In spite of the roadblocks, the trio is happy they've contributed something worthwhile to the local music community, which Price praises for its innovation and resilience.

"We're part of the Houston music community that is still releasing stuff. And even though we wrote these songs the year before, we were still working in 2020," says Price. "It's super redeeming, in retrospect, knowing that we ... still hustled. It was just a different kind of hustle." ν

Related Articles Around the Web
Art + Entertainment
Leadership in Action: ‘Family, Community and Spiritual Connection’ Drives Success for Henry Richardson

How did you get to where you are today? The present moment is a combined history of my family, my time as an athlete, my passion for learning, and my desire to see the world be better. I grew up as a successful springboard and platform diver, however, an injury caused me to seek alternative treatments to heal my body. In that process, I discovered the power of yoga, exercise, meditation, mindset, and nutrition. This holistic approach eventually led me to open a Pilates and cycling studio called DEFINE body & mind. I opened studios around the nation, and after selling most of my business between 2017-2019, I was ready to explore how I could make an even greater impact on the wellbeing of our community. In 2023, I started actively working on a brand new multi-family/apartment concept called, Define Living. The idea focused on offering health and wellness services within a beautiful apartment setting to increase the wellbeing of our residents. Having a strong sense of community is the number one factor in living a happy life, so why not build a community where daily fitness, cooking classes, and social connection are the norm? We opened Define Living in March of 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with how things are being received. We are already looking at building more concepts like this in the Houston area and beyond.

Keep Reading Show less

THE WEATHER IS changing, and soon, so will the time! Make the most of that extra hour of sun at Montrose’s Okto. This Mediterranean hotspot, located in Montrose Collective and part of Sof Hospitality — a group nominated for the prestigious 2025 James Beard Award in the competitive Outstanding Restaurateur category — is rolling out a new happy hour to enjoy on their urban-chic patio.

Keep Reading Show less
Food

THERE'S A MOMENT just before dusk when everything turns to gold—the light softens, the world slows, and indulgence feels not just necessary, but deserved. Welcome to Golden Hour at The Marigold Club, where opulence meets effortless charm and your midweek unwind turns into an exquisite ritual.

Keep Reading Show less