INTERVIEW:
S.O.S
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THAT name might seem like a cry for help…
but, when it comes to S.O.S, there is no such peril – I shall forgive the missing full-stop after the second ‘S’ in the name, too. Sophie is the woman behind the acronym. I ask her about the new single, Bloodline, and what the story is behind that; why she moved from her native Malta to London – and the artists/albums that have compelled her.
She regularly performs on the London Underground and reveals why London, and its people, are important to her drive and desires. I ask about future recordings and gig plans; whether she will ever gig in Malta again; a new artist we should keep our eyes peeled for – and how she will be spending this Christmas.
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Hi, Sophie. How are you? How has your week been?
Hi! I’m good, thanks. My week’s been busy - but fun and productive! Bloodline has just been dropped and the feedback so far has all been really positive; so, yes - a great week so far!
For those new to your work; can you introduce yourself, please?
Sure! My name is Sophie - but, on stage, I’m known as 'S.O.S'.
I’m a twenty-three-year-old singer-songwriter; originally born in Malta. At the age of eighteen, I followed my roots to the U.K. and was awarded a scholarship to study songwriting at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance. Since then, I’ve been writing and releasing my music independently - whilst gigging around the U.K. and busking on the London Underground network.
Bloodline is your latest song. Can you tell me about its story and creation?
The idea for Bloodline came to me after someone disabled became part of my life...
I had never spent much time around someone with a disability before so I found myself feeling a bit odd about the situation - and unintentionally ended up treated this person differently to everyone else I knew. I also began to feel sorry for them because of how different their life had to be (due to their disability).
The more I spoke to people about these thoughts, the more I realised how universal this mentality is - and how it could be applied to any category of society that doesn’t form part of what we consider to be the ‘norm’.
Bloodline is my way of saying that at, at the end of the day; we’re all the same and shouldn’t be judged or defined by the way we look. I think this is quite an important message to get out into the world - especially given the troubled global situation we currently find ourselves in; where it seems like cultural differences divide us rather than unite us.
Do you think we are living in a time where we’re divided and troubled? Is Bloodline a need for people to come together and react?
Yes! Although the concept for Bloodline stemmed from a more personal experience, the song has developed into a universal reminder that we are all uniquely individual and should encourage and embrace people’s differences. I also strongly believe that in the face of the terror and sadness we are currently witnessing throughout the world, we should react by showing compassion and kindness towards the people around us.
At the end of the day; love and unity will always win!
Edges of the Mind is your upcoming E.P. What are the themes and ideas you look at throughout?
Edges of the Mind is my very first E.P. and is a collection of work that I’m very excited to share with everyone.
It explores a whole load of controversial themes that are rarely highlighted inPop music. I enjoy writing about various unspoken, and sometimes awkward, topics and situations that have either effected myself or the people around me. I think that (especially) given that some of my listeners are quite young, it’s really important to be discussing topics like these - so that everyone knows that we all go through similar problems throughout our lives and it’s ok to talk about them.
How important has your gigging around London regards your honed musical skills and new ambitions?
I love gigging around London and I think over the years it’s played a major role in helping me find my confidence as a performer. If I think back to the beginning of my journey as an artist doing music and performing live in the U.K.; I was so inexperienced and nervous on stage especially since I had only just started playing the guitar. I remember my first gig was in Hammersmith and I could not have been more scared.
Since then, I practiced loads and every time I had a gig I gained little more confidence and gradually began to actually enjoy myself with a guitar on stage - instead of being a total bag of nerves. On top of the gigs, I do a lot of busking around London now, too, which is a lot of fun - and I think it’s also been a really great way of honing my skills and growing some thick skin…trying to entertain a few hard-to-please commuters.
Your sound is contemporary and recalls acts like Lorde. What do you think of modern music and artists like Lorde and Halsey?
Ah. I love them both so much!
They both have such individual sounds which are so unique and distinct. They’re definitely trendsetters in the music industry that don’t copy anyone else. I think their music speaks volumes to the younger generations whilst still having a timeless feel to them. They inspire me constantly and I will forever look up to them.
I definitely think the world need to see more strong female artists like them right now!
Speaking of ‘bloodlines’; you have Maltese heritage. Do you ever play in Malta and what are the differences between the music scenes there and the U.K.?
Yes! I do have Maltese blood - which I am very proud of - and which I like to shout about wherever I go. Although I’ve taken on the U.K. as my new home; I’ll never forget where I came from and I’m humbled by the amount of talent that keeps coming out of the little Maltese Islands.
The music scene in Malta is very different to the U.K. and I think that’s probably one of the main reasons why I made the move six years ago. Although I love Malta, and I can’t say enough good things about the place, I felt that the music opportunities were slightly limited and since I wanted to have a career in music; rather than just do it as a hobby.
I felt the need to be in London - where the opportunities are endless.
Give me an impression of the artists you grew up listening to. Which artists did you discover as a youngster?
Ok; so this is going to be totally cringey...BUT I was a lot younger at the time, so please forgive me…
I’d love to give you a really cool answer here like The Beatles or Michael Jackson but, no, I (luckily) came across those brilliant artists a little later on in my life. The artists, or should I say, bands that I literally grew up listening to were Steps, S Club 7 and the Spice Girls. Yes, I admit it: I was definitely a fan of the Pop bands back in the day. My sister and I used to learn all the words and choreography from video-cassettes of their tours. Luckily, since then, I have discovered a lot more interesting and significant musicians and artist.
But I guess being a fan of those cringey bands, when I was a kid, is all part of my story!
You have performed warm-up for the likes of Take That; been celebrated by radio stations and fans – some big achievements, there! What has been your proudest moment so far in music?
Looking back I think that, although it’s hard to choose, I would have to say that my most memorable moment would have to be the time I played one of my original songs to thousands of people on the Main Stage at London Pride in Trafalgar Square - and having them all sing it back at me!
Definitely; one that I’ll share with my grandkids one day.
IN THIS PHOTO: Sarah Close
Who are the new artists you recommend we check out?
You definitely need to check out Sarah Close and Jazz Mino!
They’re both good friends of mine and are both doing amazing things with their music right now!
IN THIS PHOTO: Jazz Mino
If you had to select the three albums that mean the most to you; which would they be and why?
To be honest, I’m more of a singles kind of girl but, if I had to pick three albums, they’d have to be:
+ by Ed Sheeran
Because this was the album I literally had on-repeat when I first moved to London. Whenever I listen back to it now, I instantly go back to all those feelings I had as a young eighteen-year-old girl - moving away from home into scary London to try and begin a career in music.
Pure Heroine by Lorde
Simply because it’s timeless to me. I still listen to it on a regular basis and it’s a constant form of inspiration to my music. I feel like I hear new elements in her tracks every time I have another listen - she’s so clever like that, keeping her listener hooked!
The last one would have to be a mash-up of three Michael Jackson albums: Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad
I mean…who can deny the brilliance of those albums?! Yes, I can easily say I am a massive M.J. fan! In particular, these three albums really shaped me both as an artist and as a person. I’m also a keen dancer, so I’ve always been massively inspired by the complete package this amazingly talented human being had to offer.
I (just) massively regret never seeing him live!
Can we see you perform anywhere soon? Where can we catch you play?
I’ve actually got quite a few private gigs coming up - which are all hush-hush - but people can regularly finding me busking on the London Underground (usually at Kings Cross station).
What advice would you give to artists coming through right now?
Just keep doing what you’re doing: the world can never have too many artists and, if you believe in yourself, other people will believe in you too! The best advice I’ve ever been given in my career is to never copy what anyone else is doing - because trends come and go but the artists who will really shine through and stick around are the ones who create their own individual trend and style.
Be the trendsetter and let others copy you!
Christmas is not too far away. Do you have plans already - or will you be busy working?
I love Christmas and always look forward to it every year!
Christmas is all about family for me so, as usual, we’re planning a massive family gathering full of food, presents and booze! I always like to try and squeeze in a visit to Winter Wonderland at some point, too; so I’ll have to save a date for that.
Finally, and for being a good sport; you can name a song and I’ll play it here (not one of yours as I’ll do that).
Yes. Sure thing!
I’d love it if you could play my friend’s new single Crush! Her name is Jazz Mino and she’s doing big things with her music right now - so everyone should keep an eye out for her!
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