{"id":20798,"date":"2022-05-11T20:36:54","date_gmt":"2022-05-12T03:36:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/?p=20798"},"modified":"2022-05-11T20:36:54","modified_gmt":"2022-05-12T03:36:54","slug":"sofi-vonn-premieres-what-u-started-and-web-exclusive-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/2022\/05\/sofi-vonn-premieres-what-u-started-and-web-exclusive-interview\/","title":{"rendered":"SOFI VONN premieres &#8220;what u started&#8221; and Web-Exclusive Interview"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><strong>Video Feature &amp; Web-Exclusive Interview<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Musician: \u00a0<strong>SOFI VONN<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Video: \u00a0\u201c<strong>what u started<\/strong>\u201d<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/K4FX9cLL9es\" width=\"660\" height=\"440\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h1><strong>ELECTRONIC POP SINGER-SONGWRITER SOFI VONN<\/strong><\/h1>\n<h1><strong>PREMIERES NEW SINGLE \u201cWHAT U STARTED\u201d<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sofi-Vonn-01.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-20800\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sofi-Vonn-01.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"990\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sofi-Vonn-01.jpg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sofi-Vonn-01-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sofi-Vonn-01-300x450.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>London-based New York-born\u00a0electronic pop\u00a0singer-songwriter\u00a0Sofi\u00a0Vonn\u00a0premieres new single \u201cwhat u started.\u201d It follows the success of recently released singles \u201cGhost\u201d and \u201cBest I Can,\u201d\u00a0as well as the success of her\u00a0December 2021 debut EP <em>That Was a Close Call<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Vonn\u2019s introspective lyrics dig deep, while her light melodies create a set of contradictions that somehow fit together perfectly to tell a relatable narrative of youth. With her unique voice, she deftly expresses\u00a0emotions and opinions on society, love, sexuality and other universal topics.<\/p>\n<p>Sofi Vonn writes with the insight gained through years of introspective searching, while combining it with music that moves\u2014hoping others can learn from the path she has traveled.<\/p>\n<p>Vonn says \u201cI love this track\u00a0because\u00a0of its house-y foundation and tropical synth sounds. Like \u201cNext To Me\u201d released last fall, I wrote and produced the song first and then finished it with Ari Blitz and Arturo Kahan in Los Angeles. Lyrically, it\u2019s a warning to people who may have bad intentions to be careful because\u00a0you\u00a0know what that looks like already\u2014and you won\u2019t tolerate\u00a0it. We had a lot of fun with it and I\u2019m excited it\u2019ll be released in time for summer\u2014as it\u2019s definitely a beach vibe.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Vonn\u00a0writes all of her own material. A vibrant storyteller, her depth of feeling and love for her craft is evident in every track. Her warm and powerful voice is the perfect means for conveying her lyrics, which are at once introspective yet universal. She found an especially powerful ally when she met renowned music executive Charlie Walk (who helped launch the careers of Lorde,\u00a0Ariana Grande\u00a0and\u00a0The Weeknd).<\/p>\n<p>We talked with Sofi Vonn about her musical journey so far, her approach to creating introspective music and how writing about her experiences are like therapy\u2014that she hopes others can learn from.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>SOFI VONN <\/strong>Interview<br \/>\nwith\u00a0<em>M Music &amp; Musicians<\/em>\u00a0magazine publisher, Merlin David<\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>What did you learn about yourself after recording your debut EP\u00a0<em>That Was a Close Call<\/em>?<br \/>\n<\/strong>I learned that I am quite insightful in my own thoughts, and that writing about my experiences is like therapy to me\u2014because it allows me to admit things to myself and share that with others who may feel the same way, while growing emotionally myself.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Which song somehow squeaked by and made it onto that first collection?<\/strong><br \/>\n\u201cAnxiety\u201d\u2014because that one holds the most meaning and is very relatable.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><em>Sofi Vonn writes with the insight gained through years of introspective searching, while combining it with music that moves\u2014hoping others can learn from the path she has traveled.<\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Tell us how the idea of \u201cwhat u started\u201d came to you.<\/strong><br \/>\nI initially produced this song for one of my classes at Goldsmiths [University of London]. I found these beachy sound samples and then wrote a melody to the music. I had written the \u201cdidn\u2019t your mama tell you life\u2019s not fair\u201d line, as a joke! After a year of calling it \u201cthe mama song\u201d we decided to keep the lyrics but change the name of the song. I like\u00a0that it\u2019s less serious than my other songs, which are lyrically quite deep.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Is this song, along with \u201cGhost\u201d and \u201cBest I Can\u201d part of your next EP\/album?<\/strong><br \/>\nI\u2019m not sure yet. These songs are still from last fall\u2019s collection. I think I may keep these as singles. I just recorded a bunch of new music in LA last month\u2014which I feel is a newer sound and am considering making that a new\u00a0EP. We shall see.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s the most difficult part about writing from personal experiences?<br \/>\n<\/strong>Trying to understand how <em>I<\/em> feel\u2014how I want to be portrayed and what I want people to take from the song. If it\u2019s\u00a0a huge insecurity of mine, I like to keep it simpler and use more implications rather than being literal\u2014just so it doesn\u2019t become way too deep and can relate\u00a0to more similar emotions rather than situations.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sofi-Vonn-02.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-20801\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sofi-Vonn-02.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"990\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sofi-Vonn-02.jpg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sofi-Vonn-02-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sofi-Vonn-02-300x450.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<strong><br \/>\nHow did DJing influence the way you write music?<br \/>\n<\/strong>DJing has definitely affected my production process in terms of arrangement and sounds, since I play house and techno. I tend to always produce more upbeat dance tracks (hence \u201cNext To Me\u201d and \u201cwhat u started\u201d).<\/p>\n<p><strong>How has studying sound engineering influenced your music?<br \/>\n<\/strong>I wouldn\u2019t say sound engineering influences much. Though, it helps me with recording\u00a0methods.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who originally inspired you to write songs?<br \/>\n<\/strong>I don\u2019t know if there are specific songwriters or songs which inspired me to write. I was always weirdly good at writing poems in school and recall just liking poetry in general. I also always knew I had music in me but didn\u2019t realize that the poems would turn into songwriting.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sofi-Vonn-03-what-u-started.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-20802\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sofi-Vonn-03-what-u-started.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"665\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sofi-Vonn-03-what-u-started.jpg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sofi-Vonn-03-what-u-started-298x300.jpg 298w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sofi-Vonn-03-what-u-started-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sofi-Vonn-03-what-u-started-300x302.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>What songwriting tip would you like to offer?<br \/>\n<\/strong>Always record an idea that pops into your head. I have so many files I listen to when I don\u2019t know what to write or produce. I get inspired, and often surprised, with my ideas. It\u2019s hard to think on the spot, if you\u2019re not in a creative flow. I prefer to produce \/ have a track first\u2014and then write a melody to that on my midi keyboard\u2014testing different sounds. That\u2019s how I wrote the melody for \u201cis it a crime?\u201d and \u201cNext To Me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>What instruments\/equipment can you not live without?<br \/>\n<\/strong>For writing, I love the Akai Professional MPK midi keyboard. To perform, I\u2019ve been using\u00a0an Ableton Push, which is really fun as well.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Which Top 5 Musicians\u00a0inspired you to become a musician?<br \/>\n<\/strong>When I was younger I listened to artists like Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Ed Sheeran and Maroon 5. Nobody specific made me want to become a musician. It was the feeling I got watching any performance and once I realized I should actually pursue\u00a0this career. It took a long time of trying to do other things with my life but not enjoying them fully. I also really enjoy writing about personal stuff because it gives me closure and makes me feel like I have conquered\u00a0whatever feelings or situations I was in.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What are your Top 5 favorite albums of all time?<br \/>\n<\/strong><em>808s &amp; Heartbreak<\/em> (2008) \u2014 Kanye<br \/>\n<em>Modern Bliss<\/em> (2020) \u2014 Roza Terenzi<br \/>\n<em>Dawn FM<\/em> (2022) \u2014 The Weeknd<br \/>\n<em>Assume Form<\/em> (2019) \u2014 James Blake<br \/>\n<em>La vita nuova<\/em> (2020) \u2014 Christine and the Queens<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tell us a \u201cpinch me\u201d moment when you thought \u201c<em>Wow, this is really happening to me!<\/em>\u201d<br \/>\n<\/strong>My last headline London show at The Slaughtered Lamb\u2014where I had a moment afterwards. I was like, \u201cdamn, this place had posters of me up everywhere! I had the most people come through, and did my most crowd engaging performance yet.\u201d In that moment I felt a bit emotional\u2014realizing the progress\u00a0I had made. I am sure I\u2019ll have many more pinch me moments.<\/p>\n<p><strong>In this unique socio-political climate, how do you remain hopeful?<br \/>\n<\/strong>Through music and remembering what good things are in this world and in life\u2014and by watching videos of people being selfless. Golden buzzer videos are a good way to lighten a mood.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sofi-Vonn-04.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-20803\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sofi-Vonn-04.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sofi-Vonn-04.jpg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sofi-Vonn-04-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>What is the best advice someone has given you?<br \/>\n<\/strong>My current mentor\/friend Charlie Walk said that nobody will give a damn about you unless you make them give a damn\u2014and that somebody\u2019s gotta believe essentially. If you don\u2019t believe in yourself nobody will. You can achieve your dreams if you work hard\u2014no matter how many years it will take.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best advice you\u2019d like to give your teenage self?<br \/>\n<\/strong>I wish I\u2019d started earlier and listened to my gut all along.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Where can new fans get more info and stay updated?<br \/>\n<\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.SofiVonn.com\">www.SofiVonn.com<\/a><br \/>\nFacebook:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sofivonn\">https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sofivonn<\/a><br \/>\nInstagram:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/sofivonnofficial\/\">https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/sofivonnofficial\/<\/a><br \/>\nTwitter:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SofiVonn\">https:\/\/twitter.com\/SofiVonn<\/a><br \/>\nYouTube Channel:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCaaczej9bXk5w4z5oXmg-vw\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCaaczej9bXk5w4z5oXmg-vw<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sofi-Vonn-05.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-20804\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sofi-Vonn-05.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"990\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sofi-Vonn-05.jpg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sofi-Vonn-05-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Sofi-Vonn-05-300x450.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Video Feature &amp; Web-Exclusive Interview &nbsp; Musician: \u00a0SOFI VONN &nbsp; Video: \u00a0\u201cwhat u started\u201d &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; ELECTRONIC POP SINGER-SONGWRITER SOFI VONN PREMIERES NEW SINGLE \u201cWHAT U STARTED\u201d &nbsp; &nbsp; London-based New York-born\u00a0electronic pop\u00a0singer-songwriter\u00a0Sofi\u00a0Vonn\u00a0premieres new single \u201cwhat u started.\u201d It follows the success of recently released singles \u201cGhost\u201d and \u201cBest I Can,\u201d\u00a0as well as the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":20802,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[7725],"tags":[13860,13859,3755,13861,3765,5486,13862,9180,13863,13864,13362,13865,13866,13867,13868,3308,13869,13870,13871,13872,13873,13874,13875,13876,1961,7334,7566,2303,3010,7978,13877,4673,13878,13879,13880,13881,13882,4627,13883,13884,13885],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20798"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20798"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20798\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20811,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20798\/revisions\/20811"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20802"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20798"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20798"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20798"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}