Soft Spot’s Gianni Carpanzano joins The Hang! to talk 1-800 Soft Spot, Temporary Bliss, heavy guitars, heartbreak, grunge, psychedelia, and the Stamford, Connecticut alternative rock scene.
In this episode, Gianni opens up about Soft Spot’s new EP, the band’s evolution, and how sad songs became something bigger, heavier, and more fully realized.
This interview explores how Soft Spot grew from a three-piece into a stronger four-piece with Will Vellek joining Gianni Carpanzano, Dave Eisermann, and Marc Marenco. Gianni talks about writing the songs for 1-800 Soft Spot in the same emotional window, why the EP feels more cohesive than This Will Make You Cry, and how the band is learning to capture its massive live sound in the studio.
The conversation also gets into heartbreak, emotional songwriting, voice memos turning into full songs, working with Trevor Aukenook, playing Toad’s Place, pushing into New York City, landing gigs, and why building real relationships still matters in the music industry.
Gianni discusses:
* How Soft Spot created the sound of 1-800 Soft Spot
* Why Gianni writes from heartbreak, reflection, and emotional release
* How Will Vellek changed the band’s live and studio chemistry
* What it takes to book better shows and build momentum as an indie band
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Band Camp: https://softspottheband.bandcamp.com
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@UC5IymGottOizckxyxUgbbVA
Chapters:
00:00 Welcome to The Hang! with Soft Spot
02:52 How Soft Spot Became a Four-Piece
06:12 Building the 1-800 Soft Spot EP
09:03 Heartbreak, Sad Songs, and Emotional Lyrics
12:03 How Gianni Turns Voice Memos Into Songs
14:58 The “Aha” Moment That Changed the Band
18:08 Booking Better Gigs and Building Real Connections
21:12 Hum, Catherine Wheel, Mastodon, and New Influences
24:00 Shows, Covers, Vinyl, and What’s Next
