Soft Science is a dream pop / indie band from Sacramento, CA

Pre-order our new LP: https://linktr.ee/softscience

Just a simple girl from the Midwest who plays guitar, drums and attempts to sing!  Enjoy listening to my imperfect covers!  Favorites:  The Who/Pete Townshend, Juliana Hatfield, Veruca Salt, Big Star, Beatles, Neil Young, Depeche Mode, the Byrds, Janis Joplin, the Gits, Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac, Nirvana, Letters to Cleo, Smashing Pumpkins, Johnny Cash, Ryan Adams, Whiskeytown, Son Volt, the Jayhawks, Kathleen Edwards, Aimee Mann, Teenage Fanclub, Matthew Sweet, Idaho, Red House Painters, Sun Kil Moon, Massive Attack, the Church, etc.

laying the groundwork for finding our inspiration by spinning local/regional diy bands from the greater sacramento area via kdvs, davis 90.3fm streaming at kdvs.org

Weaving thoughtful, introspective lyrics with irresistible melodies, Vanessa Peters has been releasing album after album of well-crafted folk/rock gems for more than a decade. She has played 1000s of shows across the US and Europe and has recently opened for artists like Josh Rouse, 10,000 Maniacs, John Oates, Matthew Sweet, Mikaela Davis, Lucette, and Horse Feathers.  2019 also saw her profile raise on the national music scene when she was invited to perform on NPR's Mountain Stage and at Americana Fest. 

Her latest album, "Modern Age," achieved international recognition with a month on the German indie-rock charts with her hit single, "Crazymaker" as well as a coveted berth at Ramblin' Roots festival at Tivoli in Utrecht, The Netherlands.  Vanessa's previous album, "Foxhole Prayers" (Idol Records) also received stellar reviews; MOJO gave the album 4 stars, proclaiming that "her songs have the intensity of short stories; gut-punching, laconic" and No Depression says that "her instantly accessible songs—a mix of gorgeous ballads and well-hooked rockers—come loaded with pensive, clever lyrics." 

Vanessa is currently completing her 14th studio album, tentatively titled "Flying on Instruments."  The album is expected in the 2nd half of 2023.

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"A brilliant songwriter with a literary quality that makes her songs comparable to short stories, Vanessa Peters is Dallas’s Aimee Mann."  - Dallas Morning News

"Vanessa Peters is a great songwriter from Texas, who shifts her laconic short stories here from the usual Americana sound into a brilliant power pop rock like Aimee Mann used to do. Juliana Hatfield or Sheryl Crow did. And suddenly you just want to hear this voice." - Der Spiegel

“All in all a lovely album. There are plenty of skilled musicians and exceptional vocalists around but not so many as lyrically adept as Vanessa Peters.”
- Americana UK

"A masterful storyteller and supremely gifted lyricist, Peters’ words sparkle like diamonds in the lines of 'Carnival Barker.' Foxhole Prayers drips with magical, classic-style singer / songwriter allure." - Ink19

"It’s thought-provoking, meaningful and powerful storytelling in form of a beautiful folk rock song…. Among the finest albums I’ve heard this year." - One Chord to Another

“The singer-songwriter’s fifth full-length, the album’s rich with intimate observations and relaxed, natural musicianship even on exuberant anthems such as “Grateful.” Her writing and unaffected deliver evokes Aimee Mann as well as the Weakerthans’ John K. Samson”
- David Greenwald, music critic for the Oregonian

“Hooks a-plenty…there isn’t a bad track on the record. I defy anyone with an ear for a catchy melody sung in a beautiful, rich, and completely engaging voice not to be enamoured with this baby.” (8 of 10 stars)
– Americana UK

“Vanessa Peters and ICOM’s “Sweetheart, Keep Your Chin Up” may well be my 2009 disc of the year.”
– Hickory Wind (USA)

“Vanessa is a true poet and a brilliant singer/songwriter”
– Rootsville (BE)

“the best kind of singer-songwriter”
– The Dallas Observer

“a true poet … tunes that move and delight the ears”
– Whisperin’ and Hollerin’ (UK)

“This is the record I’ve been waiting for Aimee Mann to make for years”
– Heartache with Hardwork

“Peters gets it right … reminiscent of Suzanne Vega and Beth Orton”
– Maverick Magazine (UK)

“The album shows a wonderful mix of folk, Americana and alt-country of the highest level…both instrumentally and lyrically, this album is one of her best creations.”
- Rootstime (Belgium)

Due to unfortunate and unethical business practices by Spotify, MJoy is no longer comfortable releasing singles there.  Her existing discography will remain but moving forward follow MJoy on all other platforms like this!
MJoy is a justice-driven, queer indie pop songwriter whose music channels her journey of healing, reflection, and growth into vibrant ear worms! MJoy fuses witty confessional lyrics with catchy rhythmic melodies, funky guitar and bass, lofi synths, and stacked harmonies!  Drawing from influences like No Doubt, Lauryn Hill, and Billie Eilish, she crafts a sound that is rebellious, playful, and tender.  MJoy's music is intended to help shed old versions of one's self, navigate recovery of any kind, or seek justice in the personal/public sphere. Feeling let down by the system but still value self-development? Do you find hope in our interconnectedness? Then let MJoy sound so that you can feel seen, embrace joy, and step into more worthiness with heart, humor, and possibility.

Writing and conversations about music and film, from the people who make them.

Talkhouse is a media company and outlet for musicians, actors, filmmakers, and others in their respective fields. Artists write essays and criticism from firsthand perspectives, speak one-on-one with their peers via the Talkhouse Podcast and Talkhouse Live events, and offer readers and listeners unique insight into creative work of all genres and generations. In short— Talkhouse is writing and conversations about music and film, from the people who make them.

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