Sophie Black: "I've always had a passion for performing" |
Interview by Carl Marsh
October 2015 |
This music business, it's a very hard one to crack into, so what makes you stand out?
I have a passion for lots of different genres of music, I’m classically trained, so I don’t like to stick to one style. I have a huge drive to succeed, this is what I’ve always wanted and I believe that comes across in my own music. I think it’s very important to believe in yourself and focus on what you want to achieve personally. Why singing then, no doubt it was something you always wanted to do but why, was it school, friends, family that motivated you to do this? I’ve always had a passion for performing, I come from a very musical family and they have always supported me in everything I do. It is honestly the best feeling being able to express myself through my own music, I can just escape to the piano and put all my thoughts into a song and it instantly makes me feel so much better. My school has played a huge part in my singing career so far, as they have given me countless opportunities to perform and I am extremely grateful for that, as I do believe that experience is so valuable in this industry. You know that I promote reading as a core thing that people should do, so, how has reading helped you through your life, and why should people read more books? Reading is something I believe a lot of people take for granted. Everyone is so busy but I believe there is always time to escape into the world of an amazing book. I studied English Literature at school, which has always encouraged me to keep reading, as it really does broaden your knowledge. It’s so important for people to keep this up, as technology is now such a huge factor in day to day life, but there’s nothing as exciting as picking up a good book and getting lost in the story. What sort of genre of books, and of this genre, what authors and/or books would you say were your choice of escapism? I love reading fiction books in first person, as I slip into the characters shoes and get so lost in the story. I love reading series of books as I love being able to grow with the characters. I love authors like Sophie Kinsella, Lindsey Kelk, and I have just finished reading Zoe Sugg’s new book ‘Girl Online’ and I can’t wait for the prequel! I love girly books that you can easily get lost in and take things from to help you in day to day life. The next few months, what are your plans, touring, recording, etc? I am currently working on my debut EP at the moment, in the studio recording with various producers and I’m loving it. I am releasing different cover videos on my social media and regularly gigging in and around London to get my voice heard. It’s all very exciting! What makes a great singer, someone who has the voice, or the talent to write their own music, or both, yet not many can do both it seems these days? I think that being a singer is an amazing thing, as well as being able to write music. But being able to write your own music and sing it, that makes it just that little bit more special. Music is such a personal thing, and I write my music as a form of expression, so my own music that I write is incredibly personal to me, as it’s everything I’m feeling in the form of lyrics and music. I write it to suit my voice and my style, which is what I believe makes a singer/songwriter so original and special. What gets you out of bed each day, what gives you the drive and motivation? Definitely my drive to succeed. I love the feeling of finishing and accomplishing something. And then as soon as I’ve done that, I want to move on to the next thing, and again and again. It never stops for me, I love to relax and have my down time, but I’m always scribbling down ideas whenever something pops in to my head. My parents also inspire me so much to succeed, seeing everything that they have achieved makes me so motivated to follow in their footsteps, so that they can say the same about me. Name some things that annoy the hell out of you? This is a hard one… ha ha! It really irritates me when people stand still on escalators. I mean, we all do it right? But it doesn’t make sense; you wouldn’t stand still on stairs and surely an escalator is just a set of moving stairs… I don’t know. But it really irritates me! Oh, and being late really annoys me too, and missing breakfast, that makes me really annoyed as I need it to set myself up for the day! And on the flip side, what makes you really happy? Sounds super cliché but writing music, as it’s how I express myself. Spending time with my friends and family is so valuable to me as well, as we are so close and we have lots of fun. Oh… and shopping, but we’ll keep that one quiet! If you were an animal, what would it be, and why? An animal? Well my favourite character when I was a child was always Winnie the Pooh, so I’d love to be a bear. As they look so cute and cuddly from the outside, but have a bold personality and are a very strong character on the inside. Sophie @iamSophieBlack |
Occupation: Singer/Songwriter
Country: UK |