In this episode of “The Hang,” host Scott Saldinger sits down with guitarist and vocalist Gianni Carpanzano of Stamford, Connecticut’s explosive rock trio Soft Spot. They dive deep into the band’s evolution—from its early days fading in and out of practice rooms, to the release of their emotionally charged debut album, This Will Make You Cry, and the intensity of writing and performing songs that aim to stir deep feeling in listeners.

Gianni opens up about his musical roots and the profound impact of his mother’s encouragement to pick up a guitar at a young age—an influence that sparked his passion and shaped his songwriting voice. He explores how the band’s vision crystallized around the idea of evoking visceral reactions in fans, with lines like “This will make you cry” and “I hope this makes you cry” becoming both mantra and mission.

Much of the interview focuses on the creative alchemy between Gianni, bassist Dave Eisermann, and drummer Marc Marenco. We cover how collaborations—within the band and with recording engineer Dan Updike—helped finalize their sound. Gianni states unequivocally, “I couldn’t thank Dan enough”, about the impact Dan had during the recording of singles like “Loose,” “Use Me,” “Down,” and “Soulgaze.”

We dig into the touring experience following Soft Spot’s first official East Coast run in 2024 with fellow Connecticut grunge outfit Whitewood Drive, including standout stops at Stamford’s Palace Theatre and Brooklyn’s Gold Sounds. Gianni shares how the live stage has been a growth engine for their emotional delivery and connection with fans.

Looking ahead, Gianni reveals exciting plans: Soft Spot is releasing a split EP with Drink Baby, and gearing up to write and record their next wave of music—promising more emotionally immersive tracks destined to land on future releases.

Throughout the episode, the band’s aesthetic and sonic identity—“gaze-grungy rock”—is unpacked, enriched by their comparisons to Hum and Alice in Chains. We explore how that swirling, eruptive sound was born, and why it feels so singular coming from just three guys from Stamford.

Whether you’re a Soft Spot superfan, a lover of emotionally raw rock, or a musician curious about the intersection of collaboration and creative growth, this episode delivers authentic insights from behind the scenes of a band on the verge of breaking through.

Join us for a raw, heartfelt conversation that’s sure to echo in your heart long after you hit pause.

#softspot  #GianniCarpanzano #ThisWillMakeYouCry #DreamGrunge #emotionalrock #stamford #connecticut

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