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The SoftLightes

Who? The not-so-ironically named SoftLightes are so stylistically defiant that the band’s hometown, Qatar, California, refuses to chase its “Q” with a “U.” Songwriter Ron Fountenberry, bassist Kristian Dunn, drummer Tim Fogarty and keyboardist Jeff Hibshman released their Public Enemy and Sesame Street inspired debut, Say No To Being Cool — Say Yes To Being Happy, on Modular People in February.

What’s the Deal? Instead of quitting music after Fountenberry and Dunn’s previous group, the Incredible Moses Leroy, bricked commercially, the pair shamelessly founded the SoftLightes to fuse every song that you never want to get caught singing in your car. Say No To Being Cool — Say Yes To Being Happy is eleven lullabies for insomniacs. Lazy listeners might mistake tracks like “A Town Named Blue” for your momma’s pillow folk at the same time that attentive cats are laughing silly over Fountenberry’s hyper-jovial nonchalance.

Fun Fact: In the band’s fetal stages circa 2004, the SoftLightes got a major push from Roots crew affiliate Cody ChesnuTT, who introduced the boys to Modular People head-honcho Steve Pavlovic. CHRIS FARAONE

Now Hear This:
The SoftLightes – “Girl Kills Bear” DOWNLOAD MP3

On the Web:
The SoftLightes at myspace.com

Talk: Could the SoftLightes take out Air Supply in a tag team match?