A raw and imaginative songwriter, Sophia draws inspiration from the 70’s rock scene, as well as contemporary pop and R&B genres. Her songs deliver an undeniable, timeless appeal while her haunting vocals and edgy lyrics add texture, artistry, and depth to her sound.
Her dynamic stage presence and memorable songs have led to performances at legendary venues around New England, notably Boston’s historic Wilbur Theatre, the Middle East Nightclub (Cambridge, Ma), and the iconic Hard Rock Cafe. In 2018, Sophia was nominated for “New Act of the Year” by the New England Music Awards and was a finalist in the Last Band Standing competition. She also received “Best Original Song” at the Young Performer’s Club Showcase and was a PBS Celebration of Music finalist.
Divine managed to catch up with Sophia and ask her some questions about her music, her plans and her love for 70’s rock.
THE Icebreakers 😊
What’s the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?
Sounds cheesy, but probably just stay true to yourself. As an artist (and in life in general), it can be really hard to find your footing. The world can feel overwhelming and disorienting, especially these days with social media. All you can do is trust yourself and follow your instincts when it comes to figuring out who you are.
If you had to describe yourself as a flavor, what would it be?
Blackraspberry. The fruit is always the answer.
If you ruled your own country, who would you get to write your national anthem?
It seems only appropriate that I would write the national anthem for my own country, given that I’m a songwriter. But if it was a co-write, I would be honored to write a chill, anthem bop with John Mayer.
Do you prefer Honey or Jam?
Avocado. Always.
If you had a warning label, what would yours say?
“Work in progress…And. I will write songs about you if you don’t treat me right.”
What historical period would you like to live in if you could go back in time?
The ’60s/70’s so I could go to a Led Zeppelin Concert!
Your bio says you draw inspiration from the 70’s rock scene. Given this was a time in history when so many great names moved forward and are still rocking the scene today, who would you love to perform with?
It would be so cool to play with Elton John. He is such an incredible performer- and he’s still out there on tour!
You write songs, play guitar and sing – how diverse do you think artists need to be nowadays to truly make an impact on the music industry?
I think the more dynamic of a performer you can be, the better equipped you are to break through the noise. These days, the music industry is supersaturated with talent. You have to wear a lot of hats as an indie to create momentum. At the end of the day, it’s about what you can offer to fans. For me, writing songs gives me an outlet to get super personal with my listeners, and being able to sing and play them on the guitar allows me to deliver them authentically. I’d say if you’re not writing songs, it’s not a bad idea to see where it goes!
What advice do you have for aspiring musicians everywhere to give them hope that perhaps one day, they may reach their dream?
We are very fortunate to be living in a time in this new music industry where there are so many tools out there for us to build our careers. From recording technology to social media platforms, to digital distribution services- the resources are out there. Utilize them! Do your research. I can’t stress that enough. The best way for you to get yourself out there is to understand as much about the industry as possible. Knowing your trajectory and what needs to get done to achieve your goals (and also what those goals are) is very empowering. Also, be authentic. Give yourself time to figure out who you are as an artist, and what kind of message you want to put out into the world. Be patient with yourself. It’s a hustle, and it doesn’t happen overnight. Oh, and network! The music industry is tiny, you’ll realize that very quickly. It’s always good to have people in your corner who know a thing or two.
What do you think are the biggest challenges artists are facing of all genres today in a world of streaming, social media, constant online scrutiny and keeping up with all the technology?
There is a lot of consolidation of genres. Pop music is dominating the market- but there is a lot of room for diversity within the genre! Of course, we still have indie, rock, R&B, rap, etc. There are so many genres out there. Don’t try to fit your music into a box, just make good music. In regards to social media and scrutiny- it’s really important to have a thick skin. Stay focused on your goals and don’t let others dictate your self-worth.
You wrote ‘Negatives’ at a time in life when you were down. How important is it, do you think, for an artist to embed their emotions into what they write? Is there a time when perhaps some feelings should stay hidden or do deep emotions always feature in your songs?
I think it is super important that artists always be authentic. Write the truth. Most listeners don’t just want a catchy song, they want to feel something too.
‘Negatives’ will be available on all streaming platforms on April 17th.
https://soundcloud.com/sophiaward-1/negatives/s-zIM0y
What’s next for you as an artist? Can you tell us some of your plans?
I’m planning to release more singles over the next several months- so stay tuned! I’ve been working on these songs for a while now, and can’t wait to share them. I also can’t wait to get back into doing shows (once this whole pandemic blows over). Performing live is one of my favorite parts of being a musician.
Follow Sophia
https://www.instagram.com/hearsophia/
https://hearsophia.com/
Interview supplied courtesy of
Bryony Palmer- Burstimo
image sources
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- Kate-Hull: Photo courtesy of Andrea Costrino & Co. Portrait Photography
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