Sophie May

Musician — London

01Profile

A Sophie May Photo

03Interview

Photo by Dani KM

Name, where are you from?
Sophie May, (South) London.

Describe your style in three words?
Classic, comfort, androgynous (sometimes).

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I went to a great Mac Demarco gig when I was nineteen. He took my ring off my finger and played a guitar solo while performing 'Freaking Out The Neighbourhood'.

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
Maybe Carole King so I could give her a hug, even though she probably wouldn’t want one. And then maybe The Last Shadow Puppets because I’d like to see Alex Turner play live.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
I have two older brothers, so growing up I was influenced by all those alternative rock/grunge themes more than I thought I was. It’s definitely bled into the music I make now.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Mary Oliver, she’s my favourite poet and I like the way she views nature. I think she’d be nice to go on a walk with.

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
I really like the Moth Club. But I might just feel nostalgic about it because of all the gigs I’ve seen there.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Marianne Faithful, I love how she talks about how awful being a ‘muse’ is. I have so much respect for her working in the music industry through the '60s/'70s. As a woman, I can’t imagine it was easy.


Sophie May will release her debut EP 'You Do Not Have To Be Good' on 5 August 2022. Pre-order or pre-save it via linktr.ee/SophieMayUK

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
If I’m being honest it was probably 'Beautiful Girls' by Sean Kingston.

A song that defines the teenage you?
'Million Dollar Man' by Lana Del Rey.

One record you would keep forever?
'Suzanne' by Leonard Cohen.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
“Now and then you miss it, sounds make you cry, some nights you dance with tears in your eyes”

From 'Self Control' by Frank Ocean.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'You Make Me Feel Like Dancing' by Leo Sayer.

A song you wished you had written?
'Carolina In My Mind' by James Taylor.

Best song to turn up loud?
'I’m On Fire' by Bruce Springsteen (the only song of his I like lol).

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Dedicate' by Lil Wayne.

Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Electric Relaxation' by A Tribe Called Quest.

Any new music you are listening to right now?
I’ve had 'Waiting On You' by Revered Baron on repeat recently. As well as 'Different This Time' by Cornelia Murr, I love her voice. Oh and 'Dear Someone' by Gillian Welch (sorry not very new with that one).

03Interview

Photo by Dani KM

Name, where are you from?
Sophie May, (South) London.

Describe your style in three words?
Classic, comfort, androgynous (sometimes).

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I went to a great Mac Demarco gig when I was nineteen. He took my ring off my finger and played a guitar solo while performing 'Freaking Out The Neighbourhood'.

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
Maybe Carole King so I could give her a hug, even though she probably wouldn’t want one. And then maybe The Last Shadow Puppets because I’d like to see Alex Turner play live.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
I have two older brothers, so growing up I was influenced by all those alternative rock/grunge themes more than I thought I was. It’s definitely bled into the music I make now.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Mary Oliver, she’s my favourite poet and I like the way she views nature. I think she’d be nice to go on a walk with.

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
I really like the Moth Club. But I might just feel nostalgic about it because of all the gigs I’ve seen there.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Marianne Faithful, I love how she talks about how awful being a ‘muse’ is. I have so much respect for her working in the music industry through the '60s/'70s. As a woman, I can’t imagine it was easy.


Sophie May will release her debut EP 'You Do Not Have To Be Good' on 5 August 2022. Pre-order or pre-save it via linktr.ee/SophieMayUK

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
If I’m being honest it was probably 'Beautiful Girls' by Sean Kingston.

A song that defines the teenage you?
'Million Dollar Man' by Lana Del Rey.

One record you would keep forever?
'Suzanne' by Leonard Cohen.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
“Now and then you miss it, sounds make you cry, some nights you dance with tears in your eyes”

From 'Self Control' by Frank Ocean.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'You Make Me Feel Like Dancing' by Leo Sayer.

A song you wished you had written?
'Carolina In My Mind' by James Taylor.

Best song to turn up loud?
'I’m On Fire' by Bruce Springsteen (the only song of his I like lol).

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Dedicate' by Lil Wayne.

Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Electric Relaxation' by A Tribe Called Quest.

Any new music you are listening to right now?
I’ve had 'Waiting On You' by Revered Baron on repeat recently. As well as 'Different This Time' by Cornelia Murr, I love her voice. Oh and 'Dear Someone' by Gillian Welch (sorry not very new with that one).

 

05Videos

Sophie May | With The Band (2022)

Sophie May | Bad Man (2022)