Sophia Bel

Photo Credit: JF Suavé

Montreal based artist Sophia Bel is a music visionary. The artist is simply a genre bending talent, using various production efforts to give each of her songs a unique soundscape. She has “always been slightly out of lockstep with her surroundings,” drawing from a variety of different cultural and musical influences. The artist made her streaming debut in 2016 with her single “Goodbyes.” Her music is incredibly unique and experimental in sound while retaining its distinct Pop/R&B flavor. Given the great reception on her latest projects, this style proved well for Sophie. This includes the Princess of The Dead, Vol. 1 EP, which features songs like “Time” and “In My Mind.” Sophia continues to impress with her music and isn’t stopping any time soon; her latest song, Voyage Astral, was released on October 8th. We recently spoke with the up and coming artist about the evolution of her sound, her musical influences, and more!   

This year marks four years since your streaming debut. What has changed the most in your life, both personally and professionally

With the years of experience adding up, I am continually learning how to push my art further. I have changed a lot since my first releases and I have surrounded myself with artists that inspire me and help me in brainstorming ideas and bringing them to life with more and more precision. 

"You're Not Real You're Just a Ghost" seems noticeably different compared to your previous releases. How did you come to take this direction with your music?

I never want to feel trapped in a specific direction. With every song or visual that I create and put out into the universe, I am trying to get one step closer to my authentic self. In the past I have felt a lack of control over what I created. Also, studying jazz for three years, despite being highly beneficial for me, made it difficult to know who I was as an artist. With all the elitism and competitiveness that comes with the academic world of music, it’s easy to lose your center. Since releasing my first single, I finished jazz school, I learned how to produce music and I developed the self sufficiency to execute my vision with more clarity. I’ve also met amazing artists that have helped me grow along the way.

You mention in your Spotify bio that you were "raised in the era of Britney and Christina", but we're exposed to the genres of trip-hop and drum 'n' bass. Who were some of the early artists that you listened to in reference to these two genres?

I grew up listening to Britney, Avril Lavigne, Christina Aguilera, Blink, Fall Out Boy, and other pop artists of my youth. In later years, I developed a particular connection to the music that I was exposed to as a kid but had not necessarily noticed at the time. The music that I heard in movies, shows and commercials were often Trip-Hop and Drum “n” Bass. Artists like Portishead, Massive Attack, Moby, Sneaker Pimps, Etc. When I started rediscovering these genres that were a forgotten part of the world in which I grew up, it brought back a lot of emotions and memories. I feel like there’s usually a mixture of the very present pop influences  in my life, and my darker and grittier side. That being said, I try not to overthink it.

Your music extends the boundaries of what an indie-pop song can sound like. In a world where artists often mimic each other's sounds, how do you remain authentic?

I love pop culture and I embrace many different styles. With every diverse bit of information that feeds my psyche, I find my center. 

In recent months your career has reached a new high, with listeners everywhere from London to Los Angeles. How does it feel knowing that your music is being enjoyed on an international scale?

I think it’s dope and I am very grateful!

Was music always something you wanted to do? If you weren't a musician, what do you think you would be? 

I’ve always been drawn to artistic fields. I dreamed of being a fashion designer, a painter, a makeup artist and a photographer, amongst other things. I eventually decided to focus on music as I was spreading myself too thin.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?

I would like to breathe underwater and be able to swim in the abyssal depths of the ocean that no man has ever seen. 

In an incredibly turbulent 2020, how have these times affected your songwriting ability? 

Songwriting comes in waves for me. I wrote a few songs during the pandemic but I worked mostly on finishing the EP. Covid delayed the whole process but we were luckily able to pull through.

If for the worst, what methods have you developed to overcome writer's block?

When I find myself unable to come up with words, I’ve simply been exploring instrumental music. It’s been very therapeutic and a form of meditation for me.

The new single will be out by the time this interview is published. What can fans expect from the song? 

The opposite of whatever they expect.