MUSIC FILM FASHION BLOG

NJ-based Sparkle-Pop Band
SOHMA
Releases Debut Single “Overexposure”

“… it’s the floaty feeling you get right before the mushrooms kick in, but in audible form.”
– Jess Kenny, Sohma

Jess Kenny and Mike Baron of Sohma
(hi-res)

OCTOBER 13, 2023 (Bloomfield, NJ) – “I’ve really been going through a lot these past few months with losing my sweet baby kitty Chaya (who meant the world to me) and then almost losing my own life in a car crash on June 9th that left me with a spinal cord injury,” confesses Jess Kenny of NJ-based sparkle pop duo SOHMA. “In addition, there’s been a massive degradation in my mental health, being out of work and unable to enjoy life as I did before. But healing/grieving takes time .. a little longer than I had hoped.”

Thankfully, however, Jess found healing in Sohma and the release of their debut single “Overexposure” which is released today via 7hz Recordings. “’Overexposure’ is a song that talks about the reality of going through the heavy things life throws at you while trying to remain open and soft towards the world, a scary and vulnerable reality,” she explains. “Like a photo developing in a darkroom, just to end up faded because the camera’s aperture had stayed open too long… It’s an overexposure.”

“Without playing a ‘victim’ role, ‘Overexposure’ is about the reality of human suffering, which is universal,” she continues, thinking about her grief over her cat Chaya. “Sometimes how we react to the things that hurt us and staying soft towards the world isn’t so easy. Keeping space open in your heart can feel like a chore sometimes.”

While the subject matter may seem a bit weighty, the music is anything but. A percolating alt-pop confection that blends cutesy, electronic-fuzz-pop with a dash of sparkly-emo indie, it’s “the floaty feeling you get right before the mushrooms kick in, but in audible form.” A magical marriage between The Sundays’ ethereal shimmer with Belle & Sebastian’s bright pop, “Overexposure” is a glitter-infused track that injects a bit of happiness into a somewhat maudlin music industry. Written with producer Kyle McCammon (Jenny Owens Young, Ron Pope, Maiah Manser), creation of the track was as effortless and elemental with Jess and musical partner / best friend Mike Baron. “The process between the three of us was so natural and the pieces sort of just came together,” she explains. “We started with some guitar and a vibey track which sparked my inspiration for the lyrics/vocal melody.”

SOHMA "Overexposure"
Link/Embed: https://youtu.be/L-K23lZew2U

Named for one of her cats (felines play a large role in their lives), she explains the origin of the band name. “’Soma’ means moon-god. It’s also a special elixir that only the gods could drink to achieve immortality,” she says. “This reminded me of psychedelic medicine (a magic mushroom perhaps lol) and how it could help us open our hearts and minds and bridge the gap between us and a higher power. I know certain music has acted as medicine for me and had the power to allow me to feel that connection.” And the cat connection? “About six years ago, I fostered and raised a litter of kittens who seemed to come into my life when I needed them the most. I picked beautiful and unique names for each of them, one being Soma. As the story goes, Soma ended up having a crush on Mike. The two are inseparable when they’re together. It was an easy choice to name our project after her since she’s such a blessing in both of our lives. I think many of us could agree that cats > humans.”

Since the name “Soma” had already been taken, Jess and Mike added the “H” to claim it as their own. “Through the ups and downs, we stuck it out to continue making art in hopes to heal ourselves and maybe shine some light onto others. We’ve waited so long to tell our own story in our own words. So here it finally is.”

Poised to release more music in 2024, Sohma is gearing up for an exciting and bright future ahead. “We're more than ready to share who we are with the world. including all the different sounds and stories that we have,” Jess concludes. “To put it simply, kindness and compassion are free and there’s enough for everyone. Having empathy for one another, showing love and acceptance is what allows us to feel more connected and supported. As a person who struggles with mental health, I find these practices help me feel less alone.”

Sohma is Jess Kenny and Mike Baron. Their debut single “Overexposure” was produced by Kyle McCammon and is available today on all major DSPs at https://ada.lnk.to/Overexposure via 7hz Recordings.

"Overexposure"

Let the light in
But don’t start fading
It feels like I’ve been waiting
For a while now
For a break
during a breakdown

And it feels like I’ve been waiting
For a while now

I’ve seen too much
I’ve seen it all, seen it all
I’ve seen too much,
I’ve seen it all

It’s an Overexposure
Can’t unsee, wild things
It’s an overexposure
Let me be
Let me sleep

My eyes Stay open
Just For a moment
I wish I could keep them shut.
Temporarily
For focus & clarity
And it feels like I’m still waiting ..

I’ve seen too much
I’ve seen it all, seen it all
I’ve seen too much,
I’ve seen it all

It’s an Over exposure
Can’t unsee, wild things
It’s an overexposure
Let me be
Let me sleep

Tonight