PJ Sparkles is the solo musical project of Megan Liscomb, the San Diego, CA-based frontwoman of Soft Lions. The songs on her first album Neon combine folky songwriting with atmospheric dream-pop sounds. Influences for the project include Mazzy Star, Beach House, Patsy Cline, and Angel Olsen.

Liscomb comes from a musical family, and first took the stage at 3 years old to sing with her dad’s bluegrass band, holding her PJ Sparkles doll under her arm. In honor of that time and the influence of country and Americana on her songwriting, she took PJ Sparkles as her stage name.

Armed with a 12-string guitar and a Casio keyboard, Liscomb played all the instruments on the album except for the drums (and on one track, a cello) which were played by Mike Kamoo (Earthling Studios). The songs on Neon draw inspiration from the memoirs of Patti Smith, the romance of desert nights, and personal relationships.

Neon will be out on 1/12/18 on cassette and digital.

The Big Takeover premieres a track of the album, “Don’t Shut Me Out”, a number that blends bluegrass instruments and slow-burning C&W atmosphere. Liscomb sings soulfully amid the subdued, reflective guitar twang and a measured drum beat, supported by lighter guitar reverb and tinging notes.

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