From left: Noémie and Camille Debray, the sisters who make up South African alt-rock band The SoapGirls. The band is making its debut at Cosmo Joe’s Atomic Lounge on Friday, June 12 as a part of the “Rebel DNA Tour.”
Will Lacey – Contributed
When French-born, South African-raised sisters Noémie and Camille Debray were young, they busked and sold soap for charity. That’s where they got the name The SoapGirls.
The sisters landed a recording contract with Universal Music as teenagers, but have since built a global following through artistic fearlessness, relentless touring and a fiercely independent ethos. Their performances are theatrical and unfiltered, creating a space where individuality is uncompromising and celebrated.
Now, the internationally acclaimed alt-rock duo is on the US leg of its “Rebel DNA Tour,” which will stop in Dayton on Friday, June 12 at Cosmo Joe’s Atomic Lounge. Tickets are available at cincyticket.com.
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Busking gave the duo thick skin, having to perform through criticism and compliments alike, by any means necessary.
“You literally could not care what anyone else thought,” said Camille, the band’s bassist. “You get so used to good or bad reactions that you just go with how you feel.”
“It’s like immersive rejection therapy,” Noémie added. “It really instilled in us that it doesn’t matter what you do in life, because we were doing something noble for charity and people still found fault in it. From then on, we’re like ‘f*** it.’”
After breaking away from the major label system, The SoapGirls have worked independently since 2012 and toured internationally since 2015. They tour as a three-piece with a rotating drummer.
Some have described SoapGirls performances as both cathartic and confrontational. Those qualities stem from a DIY philosophy: Noémie and Camille self-produce their music, spend much of the year alternating between touring and recording and even make their own stage attire — some of which doesn’t stay on the entire show. At the core of that mindset is this message: be unapologetically yourself.
“It wasn’t that long ago that women weren’t even allowed to vote in many countries,” Camille said. “So for me, it’s just kind of mind-boggling to think that a woman finally having the choice to express herself as she wishes is something regressive.”
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When The SoapGirls had the major label deal, it initially seemed like a dream come true. Eventually, they compared the band’s situation to a bird that needed to fly, but was instead inside of a “lovely golden cage” and occasionally fed some bread crumbs. The sisters would rather have complete creative freedom.
“There was a time where I’d get paranoid of not ever having anything more to write about or to say,” Camille said. “And then I was like, Hang on, I am a weird vessel for music and creativity. Don’t ever block yourself off from thinking about it. Whatever you do most in life, that’s what you become. You want to be a songwriter? Don’t stop. That’s it. You’re a songwriter.”
Sonically, the band merges the sisters’ contrasting tastes: Camille prefers extreme and angry music; Noémie prefers melodies. From the first album on, The SoapGirls have maintained that duality, with many of the lyrics exploring rebellion and fighting for freedoms.
The latest single “Running” is softer, while other songs on the upcoming album venture into darker, heavier territory. The album will be released at some point during the tour.
The SoapGirls are never shy about experimenting. However, it would be reductive to call them edgy. Their work is less about provocation than challenging perceptions through body positivity, charisma and rebel DNA.
“If you believe enough in what you’re doing,” Camille said, “then you will make a difference, and you will create something.”
“And you’ll inspire the right people,” Noémie added. “Everybody has a choice to get their art or their music across in whichever way they choose.”
If You Go
What: The SoapGirls / FancyFeast! / Dead Humor / Dracmina
When: 8 p.m. Friday, June 12
Where: Cosmo Joe’s Atomic Lounge, 121 N. Ludlow St., Dayton
Cost: $18
Tickets: cincyticket.com