SCripture

***SCripture*** is Softcult's monthly virtual magazine. They use it as a method to talk about current events, the band's future projects, insights of the songs and as a way of connecting to their fans.

## Background

The zine was created alongside the band. Inspired by the longstanding history of feminist and punk zines, specifically the riot grrrl zines, the band uses the zines as a way to proliferate ideas: "When we were kids and started listening to bands like **Rage Against The Machine**, those songs had a real impact on us, and so we tended to seek out bands that were more outspoken socially and politically in their lyrics.", said the duo to *V13*.

The twins said that with the zine they also to showcase local artists and activists whilst making a community around a message and inspire people to even start their own zines. “We’ve been daydreaming about what it would be like to take these songs on the road and bring our zines, too, and try to reboot feminist art, zine culture within the scene and everything,”, said Mercedes to *Kerrang!*. ***SCripture*** also extends to unite the ***Softcult*** community when they couldn’t see them staring back from the crowd. “It’s a piece of nostalgia, because a lot of people who were our age in the ’90s, that’s how they discovered new bands and ideas,” says Mercedes to Kerrang! “We read so much news and, honestly, propaganda on our devices. We like having something [like a zine] that’s tangible.

> “Then, in our early twenties, we saw a documentary called The Punk Singer and discovered Bikini Kill and the Riot Grrrl movement, and it really resonated with us. A huge part of that movement was the fanzine culture around it. It’s just another way to spread your message and hopefully connect with collaborators and like-minded people. In our opinion, where the original movement ultimately fell short was its lack of intersectionality, and I think that’s what we try to contribute to this next wave of Riot Grrrl. Real feminism includes the trans community, people of colour, and anyone that believes in equality, and we try to spread that message in our zines.”
>
> Softcult, to V13 magazine

### Making

Inspired by riot grrrl movement of zines around the 90's, the making of the zine is made purely by the duo. Mercedes Arn-Horn does most of the writing part while Phoenix Arn-Horn does the arts in a collage style, which became the band's signature style: "Phoenix has been really awesome and is literally cutting and glueing stuff together and then scanning it. [...] We make a good team, they're doing the visuals and I’m writing some opinion pieces and poetry. However, we’re most excited about all the submissions from other like minded creatives. We’re hoping we can get a lot of young artists and poets together. For anything you want to say, this is a platform for expression." said Mercedes to *A1234*. You can watch the making process videos of SCripture Vol. 4 here and here. For an artwork of SCripture Vol. 6, here.

> “It’s funny, because when I was a kid, I always really liked doing collage [...] we started it in quarantine, so it’s not like we could really outsource too much, so Mercedes and I just did it ourselves.”
>
> Phoenix, talking to Kerrang!

## Content

SCripture talks about a different subject in every month. The zine's content ranges from important world affairs, for example the Don't Say Gay bill, to a closer look at the band's music. The zine contains personal writing, poetry and visual art alongside fan art, as the band encourages their readers to send their art to be showcased: “Some of [the submissions] have been really personal and really heavy… we find that really inspiring,” said Mercedes to *Kerrang!,* “A really powerful part of this project that I’m proud of is being able to have those conversations and have this common ground where we stand in solidarity together. It’s really cool to see how artistic and creative, introspective and powerful the people that are listening to our music are.”.

Alongside the e-mail that subscribes receive advertising the new zine issue, readers can expect a little information about what the band wanted to tell with the zine's issue, current projects and possible new things coming for the band.

## Subscription

***SCripture***'s subscription is free and can be done in the official zine site. Readers can choose between a free digital monthly copy of new issues or subscribe with money for physical copies. Doing the physical copies subscription rewards a discount in the official's band online store and discounts on merch at their shows.

## References

1. ↑ Softcult Interview: Phoenix Arn-Horne Discusses Love, Rights, New Music, Touring, and Beyond | V13
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Q&A: SOFTCULT | A1234
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Softcult: “We feel a responsibility – almost a desperation – to change things before our time is over” | Kerrang!
4. ↑ Softcult: “In order for the world to change, there has to be some change within yourself” | Kerrang!