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Photo provided by: Soap Girls
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Rock music has always been the soundtrack of rebellion — the gritty voice of a generation that refuses to conform. But ironically, as the genre matured, many of its traditions became rigid and guarded. For decades, leather jackets, power chords, six-strings, and testosterone-fueled anthems defined what rock “should” look and sound like. Fortunately, a new wave of artists, builders, and even gear innovators are breaking away from these norms, reshaping rock while staying true to its disruptive spirit.
Image is often filtered, and rebellion is sanitized, The SoapGirls are a breath of fire. With gritty riffs, no-holds-barred lyrics, and a mission to challenge the norm, this fearless South African sister duo is shaking the foundation of modern punk rock. We sat down with Mille and Mie Debray to talk about censorship, chaos, and the unbreakable bond that powers their music.
The SoapGirls: Raw, Rebellious, and Unapologetically Real
Hailing from South Africa and taking the world by storm, The SoapGirls are more than just a band—they're a movement. Known for their raw energy, fearless attitude, and a sound that blends punk, rock, and alt-pop with an unapologetic edge, sisters Mille and Mie Debray have carved out a lane that's completely their own. On stage, they’re wild. Off stage, they’re fiercely independent artists with a mission: freedom of expression and self-empowerment. We caught up with The SoapGirls to dive deep into their journey, challenges, and their vision for the future of rock.
INTERVIEW WITH THE SOAP GIRLS AND GUITAR THRILLS MAGAZINE
Guitar Thrills: Let’s start at the beginning—what’s the origin story of The SoapGirls?
MIE:
We started performing on the streets of South Africa from a very young age—we wanted to make a difference in the world and did so raising funds for hospital equipment. It was raw and real, and it shaped our love for connecting with people through music.
MILLE:
Then things evolved, we got signed to Universal music and experienced ffirst-hand how fake the industry was, so we broke away and decided to do everything our way—no compromises, no masks.
Guitar Thrills: Your sound has evolved over the years. How would you describe your music today?
MILLE:
It’s unapologetically us—dirty rock ‘n’ roll, punk at heart but with melody and emotion. It’s chaos and beauty all at once.
MIE:
Exactly. We’re always evolving, but we’ve stayed true to our core: honest lyrics, big riffs, raw energy. It's music for the outsiders.
Guitar Thrills: You’re known for your explosive live shows. What does performing live mean to you?
MIE:
It’s pure freedom. The stage is where I feel most alive, most understood. It's a shared rebellion between us and the crowd.
MILLE:
For me, it’s therapy. Performing is like releasing every piece of pain, joy, rage, and love. It's also our way of giving people permission to be fully themselves.
Guitar Thrills: Punk has always been about rebellion. What are you rebelling against?
MIE:
Conformity. Control. Systems that suppress individuality and truth. We rebel against the pressure to fit a mold.
MILLE:
Everything fake. We’ve been told to tone it down, wear this, say that—we say no. Our rebellion is being 100% real in a world obsessed with pretending.
Guitar Thrills: You’ve faced criticism and censorship, especially for your outfits and performance style. How do you handle the backlash?
MILLE:
We don't let it break us. The backlash usually says more about the people judging than about us. We’ll never dull our fire to make someone else comfortable.
MIE:
It fuels us. We’ve been shamed, ridiculed, even banned—but every time someone tries to silence us, we come back louder.
Guitar Thrills: What’s your songwriting process like? Do you write together or separately?
MIE:
A bit of both. Sometimes I’ll write alone when I’m spiraling emotionally, then bring it to Mille and we shape it together.
MILLE:
We always write when we feel strongly about something ,sometimes a song starts on bass or guitar but we both bring our own energy to each track.
Guitar Thrills: Touring seems to be a huge part of your life. Any wild or unforgettable moments on the road?
MILLE:
Too many! One night on this tour in Mississippi we played a set during a thunderstorm with the power going on and off—it was terrifying and electrifying.
MIE:
I’ll never forget a fan in Germany who drove hours just to tell us our music saved their life. That’s the kind of wild that sticks with you.
Guitar Thrills: The DIY ethic runs deep in your brand. How do you manage everything from music to marketing?
MIE:
With grit and caffeine. We do everything ourselves—graphics, videos, tour planning, merch. It’s exhausting but empowering.
MILLE:
We’re control freaks in the best way. We’ve been burned too many times by people who promised things and disappeared, so now we do it all—our way.
Guitar Thrills: How has being sisters helped—or challenged—your creative dynamic?
MILLE:
We know each other’s darkest parts and deepest dreams. That’s powerful—but it also means the fights are nuclear.
MIE:
Yeah, but there’s unbreakable trust. No matter how much we fight, we’ve got each other’s backs. We bleed the same blood.
Guitar Thrills: What message do you want fans to take away from your music?
MIE:
You’re not alone. You’re not broken. And you’re allowed to feel everything.
MILLE:
Be bold. Be loud. Be free. Don’t apologize for who you are, ever.
Guitar Thrills: What’s next for The SoapGirls? Any new music or tours in the works?
MILLE:
We’ve got a wild tour happening across the U.S., then UK, Europe and Japan and we’re finishing up our next album—expect fire.
MIE:
Yeah, we’re pushing boundaries with the new songs—more truth, more soul, more rebellion. And we’re bringing it all to the stage.
Lightning Round
Guitar Thrills: First album you ever bought?
MILLE: Dirt by Alice in Chains
MIE: The wedding singer soundtrack
Guitar Thrills: Favorite place to play live?
MILLE: Japan – the energy is otherworldly.
MIE: France. It’s home, but on fire.
Guitar Thrills: Dream collaboration?
MILLE: Billy Corgan
MIE: Lyndsey Buckingham
Guitar Thrills: One word to describe The SoapGirls?
MILLE: Untamed
MIE: Liberation
Rock’s New Rebellion Is Reinvention
To challenge rock norms is to honor the genre’s heart — nonconformity. Whether it's redefining who gets to hold the mic, what a guitar can look like, or how a riff should hit, today’s rock artists and builders are making it clear: the only rule worth keeping is to break the ones that no longer serve.
As Guitar Thrills Magazine aptly puts it:
“True rock isn't stuck in the past — it’s smashing through boundaries with feedback, fury, and fresh purpose.”
The norm is dead. Long live the noise.
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