Back in October, we premiered the first music video from one of our favorite local bands, Soft Lions. That video was in support of the trio’s second EP, Earth Energy, which enjoyed plenty of spins in the Owl and Bear offices.

Now Soft Lions are back with another release, and wouldn’t you know, they’ve got another video to go with it. The release in question is Spellbreaker (out July 10 on Velvet Blue Music), a four-song EP that finds the band mining more pensive and introspective territory while sharpening their musical claws.

The lyrics take center stage on “Phantom,” offering an intimate peek into frontwoman Megan Liscomb’s headspace. “Thx 4 the Sanctuary” opens with a “Be My Baby” drumbeat before casting an opium-den haze around some Sleater-Kinney-inspired harmonies and guitar licks. The band unwinds on “Spellbreaker,” an ominous, throbbing jam that sounds like The Doors and Jefferson Airplane battling to the death in a snake pit.

And then there’s “Waitress,” the epic track at the center of the band’s new video.

“You’ll always be a waitress, born to serve in a short dress / You’ll always be a waitress, and the bad man never dies,” Liscomb sings as the song erupts into a surf-punk explosion about how she never expected to live past 21. It’s dark, fascinating stuff anchored by keyboardist/vocalist Lex Pratt and drummer Jon Bonser’s commanding support work.

The alternately sinister and comic video for “Waitress” was co-directed by Christopher Carroll (drummer for Bronto, Erika Davies, Jimmy Ruelas, etc.) and Owl and Bear’s own Chris Maroulakos (who directed Flaggs’ new “Take a Ride” video and Soft Lions’ “Soft as Lions”). The psychedelic projections come courtesy of Xavier Vasquez, and the video was shot at the Helmuth Projects art gallery in Banker’s Hill.

You can check out the world premiere of Soft Lions’ “Waitress” below, then grab a copy of their new EP on CD or beautiful clear orange vinyl here. If you prefer to buy your records in person, go see Soft Lions at their Casbah release show on Thursday, July 16, where they’ll be joined by the Owl and Bear-approved Summer Twins.

Video Premiere: Soft Lions – “Waitress”

Soft Lions tour dates
6/26: San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar
7/16: San Diego, CA @ Casbah
7/25: Santa Cruz, CA @ TBA
7/27: Pacifica, CA @ Winter’s Tavern
7/28: San Francisco, CA @ Brick & Mortar
8/16: Los Angeles, CA @ Echo Park Rising
9/12: Tijuana, Mexico @ Moustache Bar