Neu Get To Know… SOFY
To mark the release of her new single ‘supermarket’, we chat to rising alt-pop sensation SOFY.
Hello and welcome to DIY’s introducing feature, Get To Know… which aims to get you a little bit closer to the buzziest acts that have been catching our eye as of late, and working out what makes them tick.
SOFY is a name that just keeps cropping up - across Radio 1 playlists, festival lineups, and this year’s FIFA soundtrack - thanks to her relatable alt-pop that finds fascination in the minutiae of everyday life. With the conversational, personable delivery of Lily Allen, it’s no wonder that SOFY has built something of a cult fanbase since her first release in 2021. Today, she’s shared ‘supermarket’, her second single on new label home Chess Club Records, which considers the bittersweet shift of realising that a relationship is ending.
To mark the release of ‘supermarket’, we find out some of SOFY’s firsts, favourites, and inspirations.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
My first official gig was McFly at De Montfort Hall in Leicester when I was about 13 I think, hahahaha. Not even sorry about that. My first really important gig that I ever went to though was Jamie T’s Brixton show - that was the first show that really made me think ‘ok, I need to do this myself.’ I saw him play Finsbury Park the other day and it was just as incredible. I love Jamie T so much, you can tell his project is just him and his mates fucking about making tunes and loving every minute of it, and that’s what it’s all about for me. He had them all up on stage at Finsbury and it was so nice.
What inspirations outside of music have an impact on your songwriting?
Loads of stuff really. A lot of my writing these days comes from a mood or a feeling - we’ll go into the studio and start jamming something out and then the concept just sort of appears out of the chords. That sounds really wanky but it’s definitely true - if I ever feel uninspired I just go in and play around anyway and something always comes out of my subconscious. Songwriting is a bit mad like that, it forces you to dredge up all kinds of stuff. Not all of my songs come from personal experience though, I like to take on different personas and perspectives when I’m making stuff too. A couple of the songs that are coming out this year are like that - stuff I wouldn’t ever say in real life, but can get away with in a song haha.
How did you come up with the nickname 'rats' for your fans?
Honestly? No idea. One of my mates used to always message ‘hello rats’ into our group chat and I thought it was funny so I started using it in my Instagram stories, and then the name kind of stuck around. I like it though, I think it fits.
You recently played a gig in a launderette to celebrate your single 'socks' - what was that like?
Oh my god, that was one of the best nights ever, my face hurt from smiling at the end. I still find it so mad that I have people who like my music enough to come and listen to us sing and chat shit in a launderette. It was really special seeing everyone come together and people who hadn’t met before that night just hanging out and making friends (and singing really shit karaoke together). It kind of feels like we’ve got a proper community now, which I love so much.
Who would be your dream collaborator?
I’d love to make a song with Matt Maltese, I just think he’s the most brilliant lyricist and songwriter ever, I love him so much. And Jamie T obviously. Or Baby Queen, I’m a huge fangirl over her, her lyrics and melodies just slap. She’s gonna be massive, I think.
You're on the FIFA 23 soundtrack! Are you into football?
I grew up as a Leicester fan so I’d go to the footie every weekend with my dad and brother, it was a huge part of my childhood. We had FIFA 98 Road To The World Cup on my dad’s Playstation 1, and one of my earliest memories is sitting on the floor in our lounge and watching him play and hearing 'Song 2' by Blur for the first time. Since 'Big Talk' got on FIFA 23, I’ve had a few messages from parents saying they discovered my song on the game and it’s now the song they sing in the car with their kid. I definitely cried a bit the first time I received one of them - those full circle moments are what this whole thing is all about for me.
Tell us the best advice you've ever been given as a musician...
You have to back yourself 100% if you want anyone else to back you. And trust your instincts.
Finally, we're coming round for dinner - what are you cooking?
Sainsbury's meal deal and a Guinness.
'supermarket' is out now via Chess Club Records; watch the official visualiser below.
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