We Meet British Artist SOFY in London

London-based and Leicester-raised artist SOFY is one of the most talked about names in the British music scene at the moment and her hip-hop-inspired indie-pop bops are getting the nod from top industry tastemakers such as Clara Amfo, Jess Iszatt, & Gemma Bradley. The 25-year-old singer-songwriter was runner-up in the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge's nationwide talent search following over 10,000+ applicants – selected as the most promising new artist in London, with over 4,000 entries from the capital alone.

The past year was loaded with exciting chapters for SOFY, including two buzzing slots at Glastonbury Festival, a sold-out headline show at Omeara, a single on the Fifa 2023 soundtrack, and signing her first records deal. We met up with the up-and-coming artist for a photo walk tour around Brick Lane last month, check out our SOFY's images and get to know her in our Q&A below.

SOFY, what were you up to last night?

I had a writing session in Manchester for the last couple of days, so I had a four-hour drive back home last night in my shit car. Very glamorous!!

We met at a basketball court for our photoshoot; how do you keep yourself fit?

I don't, I'm so unhealthy at the moment and my routine is messed up. I love walking though, I try and walk as much as I can in London - it's my favorite mode of transport.

Are all of your friends musicians?

I don't come from a musical background, so when I started making music, I didn't have any friends in music at all. Now some of my best mates are people I've met since I got into music - when you make friends with a shared passion I think it really intensifies the friendship. Me and my band went from strangers to pretty much siblings in 0-100. 

How do you keep yourself inspired?

Talking to people, reading stuff, and writing it down. I love eavesdropping on people's conversations on public transport. Hahaha, I've got at least three songs from that. It takes a while to get into the habit of jotting stuff down to keep for writing sessions - either a word that I've seen that I think would be a cool song title, something that happened in a tv show, or something one of my friends has said. It kind of varies.

Where do you record your music?

I primarily work out of my friends' bedrooms and home studios right now. I'd love to have my own little studio one day though; that's the dream. 

Can you play an instrument?

I can play guitar a bit but not very well - I had piano lessons when I was a kid but I quit, which is my biggest regret. I'd love to be able to play instruments.

What sucks most about the music industry?

I think the pressure to be a content creator and have numbers on socials as well as just making music. You have to be so multifaceted now, it can be difficult to manage.

SOFY is wearing a Lee Varsity jacket

Do you set deadlines when it comes to producing new tracks?

Not really, I find that if I'm working on something I love it tends to happen super quickly anyway, it doesn't take me long to finish songs.

Are you a perfectionist?

Yes!

Who's your biggest critic?

My mum. She always sends me messages saying she wishes I wouldn't swear so much in songs, haha. But she's my biggest fan too; she's the best.

Do you care about other opinions?

Only the opinions of people I care about.

You moved to London from a small town. What's the best thing about living in LND?

Not having to drive to the pub.

Do you have a favorite club?

Clubbing stresses me out, so my favorite club is anything that doesn't feel like a club. I can just about cope with a pub that turns into a more dancey vibe as you get more fucked, so I like the Star of Bethnal Green for that kind of thing; it's just around the corner from mine. 

What are you doing in your spare time? Do you like cooking?

I don't really have any spare time at the moment. I eat sleep breathe shit music. I've still got a full-time job, so there's not much room for anything else. I do like cooking though when I have a minute to do it. I make a really good lentil dahl.

Let's talk about your style. Have you always been obsessed with oversized clothing?

My style has varied a bit over the years, haha, but I think oversized clothes are here to stay. They're so comfy it's hard to go back once you get into it.

How many sneakers do you own?

Not many, maybe like three or four pairs? I'm not really a shoe person.

Last sneaker you added to your collection?

Can't remember; I think it was a pair of new balances last year or something. I live in those though; they're so comfy!

3 words that describe you best

My best mate calls me CCC - cute, cringe, chaos.

What is the nicest thing someone said to you about your music?

Someone on YouTube said I'm Lily Allen for the Andrew Tate generation and that made me laugh.

Why did you want to become a musician?

The first time I went to a gig at Brixton Academy - I think it was Jamie T in like 2016. But yeah, I was in the crowd, and I remember just thinking, I want that to be me one day.

Introvert or extrovert?

I used to think I was an extrovert, but since I've gotten older, I definitely feel more introverted - so maybe a bit of both.

Do you have another creative outlet besides music?

I like taking photographs, but I'm not very good at it, haha.

Can you dance?

Drugs or booze?

Neither ;)

Strawberry milkshake or smoothie?

Strawberry Milkshake obviously!

Currently playing on your playlist on repeat?

Couldn't Give It Away by Bad Sounds.

Most illegal thing you ever did?

That would be telling.

What scares you?

TikTok

Are you currently in Love?

Yes, I'm a dating app success story!

What can we expect to come from SOFY in 2023?

World Domination baby!!!

Thanks for the fun times in Shoreditch SOFY! And for everyone reading, check out SOFY on Spotify and YouTube and give her IG a follow at follow @sofysounds.

Interview & Photography: Brit The Kid @britthekid