I used to get so annoyed with my mom, she says.
She would be driving and shed slow down and be like, This house is so pretty.
That bird in that tree is so pretty.
Cedrick Jones Photography
And Id be like, Drive, bitch!
And now, thats me.
Aging: You turn into your mother.
You were in this place and thats over, and you cant go back.
Theres nothing you’re free to do to change it.
But in time, we find happiness in the way things are now.
This is the duality of Soccer Mommy: The same person who drops lightning-fast zingers like Drive, bitch!
is also the songwriter who crafts eloquent songs about irrevocable change and loss.
Shecouldhave pulled it off, though.
I could be rolling up in this big muscle car, she jokes.
But I decided to turn away from that opportunity.
Instead, she bought the Venza in June, to go with her old Subaru Outback.
This cars got a perfect balance.
I think everybody actually wants understanding.
You want to feel like someone gets you and can connect to you on that level.
After a while we stop at Sam & Zoes, a woodsy, charming cafe.
Allison has been coming here for years, usually to get an iced dirty chai.
There will be herons, she says, but dont mistake her for a birder.
Its cool, but I dont give a shit about that, she says.
Maybe one day when Im older.
I have so much free time when Im home.
Focus in, or be completely free.
One of the two.
During those free hours, Allison loves to stargaze with her telescope, jokingly calling herself an amateur astronomer.
They could have trimmed a lot at the beginning, she says of the latter.
I wouldve just chilled on the whole feminism, women-aging thing.
Its just not a fresh enough idea that you oughta hammer it inthathard.
It got better once it got more body horror.
Its actually perfect, she says.
I watch it three times a year.
Not a single flaw.
10 out of 10.
The weather is classic fall freezing in the shade, warm in the sun.
Allison comes here frequently, despite being allergic to every tree that exists.
Seeing one majestic coastal bird triggers a memory for Allison.
My mom would be here, sending a zoomed-in photo, she recalls, breaking out in laughter.
And Im like, That is the worst picture Ive ever seen!
Hes not even that far away!
While grief looms over much ofEvergreen, Allison prefers not to go into detail about the experiences behind it.
Shes discussed her mothers battle with cancer many times over the years, particularly on 2020sColor Theory.
(Loving you isnt enough/Youll still be deep in the ground when its done, she sang then.)
Thankfully, Soccer Mommys devoted fans are giving Allisonspaceto grieve.
Allison tells me she appreciates her fans: They always want to hear what I have to give them.
Still, negotiating what she shares with the world can be complicated.
You shouldnt have to disclose very personal, private shit to get people to listen.
Mental illness doesnt really fit the schedule.
I really felt the intensity, the emotion behind all of the loss for her.
And that hit me really hard.
I felt this deep sense of humility in the face of the songs.
I feel very proud of the songwriting at the core of it, she says.
Thats great, but this time I really wanted to confirm it felt like me.
I feel like this new album connects to that.
It feels very pure.
DESPITE BEING ONE of the most beloved voices in indie rock, Allison leads a fairly normal life.
I wouldnt be like, I dont want to get any bigger, or anything, she says.
But at this level, I can still exist as myself.
Most of her friends, she notes, pre-date her music career.
I dont live in one of these cities where people live, Allison says.
What, would I just be FaceTiming a bunch of people?
Im not a communicator in [terms] of the phone.
I dont text a lot, I dont call people up a lot.
When you tour for a living, its difficult to maintain local friendships, Bognanno says.
And Im like, Thats bullshit.
During our seven hours together, Allison and I make several stops along West Nashvilles Charlotte Avenue.
I dont agree with that.
I would put it in fantasy.
Like, youre not puttingIndiana Jonesin horror.
She turns next to 2006sPulse, starring Kristen Bell.
I might have to buy this one, she says of the widely-panned techno-horror film.
Julian and I keep joking about it, being like, What if its really good?
Allison says she can envision a future where she releases records under her own name.
As I get older, Im sure eventually itll change, she says.
Its not like Im going to be forever going down as Soccer Mommy.
Its a little youthful.
Im, like, picturing 40-year-old me: Yeah, Im Soccer Mommy!
Just like her brand-new car, she finds balance in being on the road.
All I have to do is go and play a show everyday.
All I have to do is be here.
Production Credits
Hair and Makeup byMELISSA OLSHAVSKY.
