Album Notes

Soft Collision was born from the basement of Michelle Cox's home shortly after her previous band, Black Kites, came to a close. She recorded a full-length demo on her laptop and used it to recruit musicians for live performances. The first to join forces with her was drummer Mike Barnes (of Black Kites, Sex In Cars, Brass Knuckle Surfer, the Brew, and Novocaine). They began a rigorous rehearsal schedule in preparation for live shows and a studio recording of the demo. After solidifying the songs, they began recording at APC and Nickel and Dime studios in Atlanta. Mike laid down the drum tracks and Michelle began layering guitars, keys, bass, and vocals. In the midst of this process, Susannah Barnes (of Black Kites and the Goldest) joined on bass and violin and Matt Cherry (of Maserati and Cassavetes) stepped in as lead guitarist. The result of their collaboration is Grey on Grey, an album which blends the sounds of Blonde Redhead, Smashing Pumpkins, Sonic Youth, and Portishead with a voice reminiscent of PJ Harvey, Dido, or as some have said, a "depressed Pat Benetar". Driven by the tight rhythm section of siblings Susannah and Mike Barnes and the creative, Slint-infused guitar style of Matt Cherry, Grey on Grey paints a vocal-led sonic landscape that evokes moods shifting from melancholy dreaminess to dark rock. Soft Collision has played with such bands as Menomena, Pit-er-Pat, Hope for a Golden Summer, Magnapop, The Fray, Morning Lights, Hot Young Priest, and Sybris at locations throughout Atlanta and Athens (The Earl, Smith's Olde Bar, Park Tavern, Lenny's, Star Bar, Caledonia Lounge).