Soccer Mommy: "Most of the record is dealing with feelings of confusion, and trying to figure out how to move forward in life"

Sophie Allison served her music apprenticeship in the Nashville DIY scene, whilst covertly posting her home-recorded songs to Soundcloud, Bandcamp and Tumblr under the name Soccer Mommy. Whilst attending NYU in the mid-’10s, the gifted indie-pop performer began playing shows in Brooklyn and beyond, as well as self-releasing a series of EPs.

After considerable critical acclaim for her 2018 debut album Clean, Allison’s rapid ascent continued via 2020’s Color Theory and ’22’s Sometimes, Forever, the latter incorporating shoegaze and industrial influences. Today we’re talking Evergreen, an album crafted in the wake of a profound and personal loss, which the record company asked me not to pursue in detail.

It’s a perfectly understandable request – Sophie has said all she needs to say on the LP. Indeed, to listen to the heartbreaking ‘M’ is to hear an artist baring all. The album was recorded in Atlanta’s Maze Studios with producer Ben H. Allen, whose credits include one of my personal favourites, Animal Collective’s Merriweather Post Pavilion.

“He just really seemed to get what I wanted to do,” says Allison of Allen. “I like a lot of the stuff he’s done in the past. So yeah, we just kind of clicked on the ideas. The songs are totally written and demoed before I even really start talking to producers. Usually, I start with guitar chords and find a progression that inspires something sonically, and then I work on the lyrics.”

It’s well documented that Soccer Mommy loves guitars. A custom guitar Nashville shop, Scale Model Guitars, even went so far as to build one to her exact specifications, complete with subtle metallic flakes that sparkle under stage spotlights.

“There are lots of different guitars used on Evergreen,” the singer chuckles. “There’s plenty of acoustics on there, and electric-wise, I was mostly using a Telecaster. On a couple of them, I used one of my Novo guitars, and I also used a P90 and a Strat as well.”

Soccer Mommy’s shoegaze adventures continue on Evergreen, which is influenced by the likes of My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, The Jesus & Mary Chain and the Cocteau Twins. And as noted earlier, lyrically, the album explores some painful subject matter.

“A lot of the record is about loss, and the feelings that are swirling and going back and forth during that,” says Sophie. “And then there are a couple of songs with different ideas going on, like ‘Driver’ and ‘Abigail’. But most of the record is dealing with feelings of confusion, and trying to figure out how to move forward in life.”

For me, the tracks ‘Thinking Of You’ and ‘Dreaming Of Falling’ – where you can feel hope coming through the grief – really hit home.

“I’m glad you like them,” says Sophie. “Especially on ‘Thinking Of You’, it’s pushing towards growth. ‘Dreaming Of Falling’ was probably the most swallowed in darkness, partially because I had Covid when I wrote it, and I was sitting there for a long period of time. In general, the record has a lot of low points, obviously. But it’s that kind of friction, confusion and tension that comes with moving forward.”

Notably, Evergreen was teased with a ‘How’s My Driving?’ hotline, as well as bumper stickers mailed to fans.

“That actually wasn’t my idea,” Sophie smiles. “It was someone at the label. You could actually call it, and if you pressed some buttons, it would give some early tour date read-offs. Personally, I’m not the best driver. I’m not dangerous, I’m just very distracted. I’m not doing anything too crazy, except going off in the wrong direction. But I thought it was kind of cute.”

Soccer Mommy plays Vicar Street in May, a return to Irish shores after supporting The National at their recent Trinity College summer outing. Her Irish date is part of a massive tour consisting of over 50 dates, and I wonder how Sophie navigates such a mammoth undertaking.

“It’s harrowing,” she laughs. “I just go until I’m allowed to go home!”

Evergreen is out now. Soccer Mommy plays Vicar St. on May 11, 2025.