The sibling duo known as The SoapGirls grew up as little busking rock ’n’ rollers playing street gigs around Cape Town, South Africa under the watchful eye of their manager mom, and selling soap to raise money for a favorite cause, neonatal hospital care. But once they signed in their early teens to the industry colossus Universal Music Group, French-born, South Africa-raised sisters Noemie and Camille Debray found themselves being promoted as youthful queens of dance pop.
It was like being “a bird in a beautiful, golden cage,” the Debrays tell PureHoney in a joint email interview. “We wanted to express ourselves, without worrying about being censored or accepted by the mainstream.”They did exactly that with a self-released, punk-powered return to early form: the 2016 album Calls for Rebellion. “We knew exactly what we wanted to do, which was to make a difference and to entertain people,” the Debrays say. “We’ve always been society’s rejects and we proudly wear that title.”
They’ve never looked back. Across four DIY albums, the sisters deliver what can only be described as true “revolt rock” — their own coinage — combining heavy aggression and a bit of radio friendliness to keep the uprising going. “Johnny Rotten,” from 2017’s Societys Rejects, seesaws between feminine and masculine, verse and chorus, and singing and screaming in the dualistic mold of Hole. “Breathe,” from 2022’s In My Skin, could be a less macho flavor of ’80s rock or a spruced-up cousin to Plumtree and Le Tigre.
A new single, “Running,” previews a forthcoming album. As a song, it just feels good to listen to. As a statement, it’s proof The SoapGirls continue to evolve: If they can do something poppy this well, they can also get heavier than ever.
On tour the Debray sisters perform in self-made elaborate headdresses, mod-rock coats, or nothing but body paint. “There’s no better way to entertain people’s ears and eyes than to immerse yourself into the show,” they say. “You are taking them away from the ordinary and the mundane for that moment.”
The SoapGirls play an 18-and-over show 7pm Friday, July 3 at Respectable Street in West Palm Beach. theSoapgirls.com ~ Erik Kvarnberg
