“Sometimes I think I like the pain”, the opening line from Soul Filter’s debut single Armor hits like an “Aha” moment from the psyche to the soul.  The four piece Alt-Rock/Pop band's often nostalgic 90s vibe derives inspiration from artists such as Alanis Morissette, The Cranberries & Sheryl Crow.  Lead singer/songwriter Karen Penton writes with an introspective scope of the world and the intention to find herself and the silver linings in love and misery, all while delivering catchy melody.

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​Since releasing their debut album A Minor Conspiracy in January 2019, Soul Filter has attracted attention with their catchy, soulful music and impassioned performances. In 2023 their fiery self produced track "Quicksand Town" was selected as a semi-finalist for the International Songwriting Competition, following in the footsteps of their 2022 semi-finalist song "The City Knows".  The anthemic confessional was produced by John Angus MacDonald of The Trews and was a Music PEI 2022 Golden Ticket release.

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They've had CBC & mainstream radio play with singles “Armor”, “Like Water”, “How Do I Forget You”, “Illogical Heart”, & “On My Own”.  In 2019 they reached the Top 100 in CBC’s Searchlight, opened for one of Canada’s biggest rock bands Big Wreck at one of Atlantic Canada’s largest music festivals Rock The Boat, and received a nomination for Music PEI’s 2020 Rock Recording of the year.  Their Facebook “Live At Home” performance hosted by Rock The Boat garnered one of the largest online audiences in the series with over 12.5k views. 

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When founding members, husband & wife duo Karen & Mike Penton, first met in 2001, she didn't know he was a performing musician and he didn't know she had a secret life long desire to be one.  To Karen’s delight, their second date consisted of 2 bottles of wine and an acoustic guitar – the deal was sealed.  After a few years of singing Beatles’ covers (and other classics) together at home, Mike decided it was finally time to coax Karen into the spotlight.  The two went on to create several popular cover bands (Junkmale, Pretty Tragic,  Tragic Pill -No Doubt & Alanis Morissette tribute show, Karen & Mike acoustic duo), performing all over PEI before forming Soul Filter in 2017.  

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Bass player Ronnie Arsenault and drummer Andy Adams also previously performed in Pretty Tragic and Tragic Little Pill, with Ronnie also performing with Mike in the early 2000's in the band Cameltoe.

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With themes of self-discovery, adversity, love and loss, A Minor Conspiracy infuses pop, blues and folk into a soulful rock sound.  Acoustic rhythm serves as the backbone to melodically sweet electric guitar riffs and punchy choruses.    Dynamically weaving between soft falsetto and soulful powerful vocals, Karen embraces vulnerability and delivers empowering, emotive lyrics through alluringly catchy melodies.

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The band is currently in the studio working on new material, but do have some summer shows lined up for 2026!

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