The Sophs appeared out of nowhere," say Rough Trade co-founders Geoff Travis and Jeannette Lee about their latest signing: a six-piece band from L.A. with the subtle name The Sophs. The uncompromising honesty and the wide sound cosmos of the band were immediately convincing. When singer Ethan Ramon sent a demo to his favorite labels, he didn't expect a reaction - but the very next day Rough Trade contacted him with a request for an interview. In the early songs, the label heard exactly the creativity, versatility and daredevil "Don't expect me to act pretty" spirit that The Sophs bring to every stage: Ethan Ramon (vocals), Sam Yuh (keyboards), Austin Parker Jones (electric guitar), Seth Smades (acoustic guitar), Devin Russ (drums) and Cole Bobbitt (bass). The five demo tracks formed the blueprint for their debut album »Goldstar«. Musically, The Sophs move in zigzags: pop-punk meets funk, delta blues meets ZZ Top. Ramon's warm, powerful voice wanders through the genres like a vocal chameleon. "We never try to be as versatile as we sound in the end," says Ramon. They understand songwriting as pop art - a playful quotation, deformation and recreation. Songs often arise from spontaneous ideas that take a completely new direction in the band process. The track »The Dog Dies In The End« is reminiscent of 2000s pop-punk, carried by gloomy spirals of thoughts and accordion. » "Death In The Family" combines sunny rock with bitter humor and the longing for compassion as protection from responsibility. Goldstar« asks simple but uncomfortable questions about recognition and morality. Other highlights such as »Sweetiepie« and »Blitzed Again« show the band between self-exposure and euphoric energy - raw, lively and uncompromisingly creative.