Softklub Finds Strength in Vulnerability on Debut EP Give Me More

There is a quiet confidence running through *Give Me More*, the debut EP from Edmonton indie duo Softklub. Made up of Keenan Gregory and Mark Wojcicki, the project arrives after years of writing, recording, and refining songs that grew from friendship into something much more meaningful. Across five tracks, the pair blend melancholic indie rock, textured instrumentation, and emotionally direct songwriting into a collection that reflects on longing, anxiety, memory, and the difficult process of understanding yourself.

Rather than telling a single linear story, *Give Me More* unfolds like a series of connected journal entries. The songs revisit pivotal moments from different angles, revealing how emotions linger long after an experience has ended. The result is a record that rewards repeat listens, with recurring themes and subtle musical details that continue to reveal themselves over time.

“This selection of songs feels more tightly knit to each other than anything else we’ve written,” Keenan explains. “Not only do their themes bleed into one another, but multiple songs share a narrative from the same moment in my life.”

That sense of connection extends beyond the lyrics. The EP was recorded over several years in an assortment of spaces including hotel rooms, Airbnbs, home studios, rehearsal spaces, and professional studios. Instead of chasing perfection, Softklub embraced the different environments, allowing each recording session to capture where they were emotionally and creatively at that moment. Collaborations with additional musicians further expanded the sound, adding depth while maintaining the intimacy that defines the record.

At the center of the EP is its title track, “Give Me More,” a soaring and emotionally exposed song that examines desire, attachment, and the inability to fully let go of the past. Built on layered guitars, rich piano, synth textures, and dynamic percussion, it balances vulnerability with an expansive sonic landscape.

“A lifetime supply of yearning, mixed with some unrequited love and a fixated obsession of the past,” Keenan says of the song’s inspiration.

Ironically, the song that now anchors the EP almost never existed in its current form. During the isolation of the COVID pandemic, Mark created the instrumental while considering reviving an earlier band. He sent the demo to Keenan expecting a piano part in return. Instead, Keenan recorded vocals that completely transformed the direction of the music.

“I had never heard him sing, but it was exactly the vibe I wanted,” Mark recalls. “We continued writing together with zero expectations or even thinking about releasing anything. All of a sudden we realized we had 30+ songs we really enjoyed.”

That unexpected collaboration became the beginning of Softklub. Although both musicians had established themselves in Edmonton's independent music scene through Whale and the Wolf and Nicolas Rage, this new project offered something neither had fully explored before. Instead of focusing on performance or image, they centered the music around honesty, allowing difficult emotions to become the foundation rather than something to disguise.

“The common theme is introspection and self-reflection,” Mark explains. “Looking at the parts of ourselves that aren’t so fun to talk about. Whether that be dealing with anxiety, fears about the future, insecurities, or situations I wish I’d handled differently.”

For Keenan, the project represented a deeply personal milestone beyond the songwriting itself. Singing publicly had been something he avoided for years, making the process of recording these songs an important turning point.

“The fear of singing in public has plagued me since I was a teenager,” he shares. “As much as I wish I worked up the courage sooner, I think I needed to live through some stuff in order for my voice to show up in this way.”

That willingness to be open defines *Give Me More*. Throughout the EP, Softklub rejects the idea that emotional restraint is a strength. Instead, the songs invite listeners into moments of uncertainty, heartbreak, insecurity, and reflection without searching for easy resolutions. There is comfort in acknowledging those feelings rather than hiding them.

The production mirrors that emotional openness. Inspired in part by seeing The National perform with multiple drummers and large-scale arrangements, Mark approached "Give Me More" with an ear for layered percussion, stacked guitars, immersive synths, and details that continue to emerge with each listen. While ambitious in scope, the production never overshadows the songwriting. Every musical choice serves the emotional core of the record.

With *Give Me More*, Softklub introduces itself through a collection that feels both intimate and fully realized. It is a debut built on patience, trust, and the courage to confront difficult emotions head-on. Rather than offering simple answers, the EP creates space for reflection, reminding listeners that vulnerability is often where the most meaningful music begins.