Introducing #128 - Sofia Lafuente
Let us introduce you to rising pop-artist Sofia Lafuente - who has just released her new track ‘State Of Flux’ - an endlessly playable piece of alt-pop. Sofia took a moment to talk to us about her music.
Hey there Sofia, how are you? So your track ‘State of Flux’ is out now, can you tell us what it is about?
Yes of course I’m very excited about it. I wrote State of Flux a little before the pandemic hit, I was writing for my artist project and definitely overthinking things, putting too much pressure on myself. That day I went into the studio and didn’t really have anything concrete planned out but then Toby came up with the initial chords for the song and the story just started to unfold by itself. It was one of those songs that feels like it’s somewhere out in the universe and I was just lucky enough to put pen to paper you know? Initially I didn’t think it was about me at all, it was about someone I’m very close to that was going through a difficult transition period. But in hindsight and post Covid I think, shit this could not be more about me if I tried.
Where is recorded? Any behind the scenes stories from the process?
It was recorded in Toby's (Scott) studio in Brighton. You can literally see the beach while you’re recording vocals which is unreal and something that definitely influenced the sound of the song. In my head, the production of ‘State of Flux’ has always looked like an intense sunset on a beach and the recording process probably had a lot to do with that. Something about a sunset is kind of existential, and I think watching the sun go down while I was writing the song reminded me that you can’t control everything. You kind of just have to let the universe do it’s thing sometimes.
You were born in the United States but were raised across Europe by your American father and Spanish mother. From this, you turned tom music at quite a young age - what are your earliest musical memories?
This is really embarrassing, but an incredibly vivid memory that I have of myself, probably around age 5, is holding on to a tree with one hand, spinning around, pretending it was my friend and dancing to ‘I Want Hold Your Hand’ by The Beatles. But also, my mum’s side of the family is incredibly musical, so I have a lot of memories of singing at Christmas with like 40 spaniards harmonising these beautiful old Spanish folk songs. I think it’s only as I’ve gotten older that I realise this was pretty unique.
What music did you grow up on?
A lot of music from the 70s and 90s. My parents loved Fleetwood Mac, Nirvana, U2. All amazing storytellers So it was a mix of that with whatever was on the radio. A lot of Shakira and Juanes in Spain, and then a mix of Avril Lavigne, Taylor Swift and Kacey Musgraves.
Who are your key influences when it comes to your music?
Melodically I was and still am a huge fan of The Civil Wars. Joy William’s voice has this amazing mix of power and vulnerability that has definitely influenced me as a singer. With sonics, I love Banks, Lorde, Lana Del Rey a lot Jack Antonoff’s productions, productions that really paint a picture and make a song play out like a movie. Recently, I’ve become obsessed with Caroline Polachek and Donna Missal, they’re artists that I feel really push boundaries with their sounds while still being completely relatable in their songwriting.
How would you describe your music to someone who has never listened to you before?
I am aiming for that ‘feels like I’m in a movie' sound. It doesn’t matter if the song is upbeat or a ballad I just want listeners to feel like the production works in a way that amplifies the emotions the story makes you feel. It’s pop but more cinematic I guess. I want my songs to feel like snapshots of intense emotions, in the best way.
Now ‘State of Flux’ is out there - what next for you?
Well… I am actually looking forward to releasing my debut EP fittingly called ‘Control' late next month, which is incredibly exciting. I feel like I've been waiting the whole year for this. Right now I’m working on a lot of other cool things that will hopefully help connect with potential fans while Covid restrictions are still in place and then of course I am dying to play some shows!