Q&A: SOPHIE-MAUDE

Up-and-coming Bay of Plenty pop artist Sophie-Maude makes a powerful statement with her new single ‘Comfortable’. A bold and fresh slice of R&B-meets-pop with lush layers and radiant vocals, the track takes the listener on a journey to a place where they can escape from the world and be lost in the music. Drawing from her own life experiences and coping with Autism, ADHD, OCD and Tourette’s syndrome, she articulates stories and shared perspectives that connect with audiences across the spectrum.

We'd love to know about your musical journey so far from when you first started singing & making music!

I didn't really get the opportunity to sing until just before I left school aged 10. Or at least, I didn't get to understand how much it helped me relate to the world before then. That's when I had my first experience of musical theatre at Tauranga Musical Theatre. I remember them telling me I had a nice voice ... but it was a challenge to keep me sitting still for longer than two minutes!!! I don't think much has changed!

Discovering my voice was like discovering me. I found a way that I could connect to people and make them feel happy, which is what I love. My music allows me express myself through my music and at the same time explore creativity. Now I understand that, I am able to make music that helps me to engage with people as well as allowing them to enjoy the journey it takes them on.

Incredible! And we are loving your latest track 'Comfortable'! Can you tell us about the meaning of this track and the inspiration behind it?

It's not a secret to people that know me that I am on the Autistic spectrum which means that I have struggled in the past to be who I am and for others to understand me. ‘Comfortable’ is about embracing whoever you are and whatever you relate to. I feel that in many ways I can relate to this and by writing a song like ‘Comfortable’ was and is a positive reminder to be yourself. People will love you for that. When I am on stage, I am exactly the same person that you will meet in the street.

What were your main highlights working on 'Comfortable'?

I am so grateful to have the support of the whole team behind me. Ash, Scott, Decio, Nate and Joe. They encouraged me to be true to myself and encouraged me to show that through both the lyrics and video. I have known Wesley Graham - the main character in the video - since my first experience of musical theatre. I really felt that parts of our own life journey were being told, which made it real for both of us. Wes is on their own journey too and I am blessed to be a part of this.

Do you have more new music on the way soon?

My next single will be released in April. It's called ‘Slow It Down’ and is another collaboration with Joe Thompson and Nathan Sowter at Link Flamingo Studios. After that, we will be releasing ‘Take Me Away’ which, with amazing funding from NZ On Air, will be accompanied by a music video. It has a real 80's vibe and the video will reflect this. I think that my mum is more excited than me!

Amazing! Who would you say are your biggest inspirations in music?

My passion for music has definitely been influenced by New Zealand artists. I'm always listening to artists like BENEE and Paige. I love it when summer comes around and you've constantly got the latest kiwi summer hits playing. I feel that's the vibe kiwi's thrive in the most! We have such cool music cultures here in NZ so I always have people to listen and learn from.

I am really starting to try look out for other artists like me that are also trying to grow in the industry. I love listening to upcoming kiwi artists such as BEXY, Amelia McNabb, LAIIKA, Sophie Gibson and so on. I honestly have such a wide range of music taste I love to listen to that I have easily one hundred different playlists on Spotify dedicated to different moods I'm in!!

What do you love most about New Zealand? Do you have any favourite places to travel to or local spots that you like to visit?

I haven't really had the chance to travel the country yet but, I absolutely love Auckland - especially the Sky Tower! The whole city vibe and being around so many people just makes me feel so alive. Whenever we ever get to go there, I love to be able to see the Tower at night. I'll stare at the lights for as long as I can before whoever I'm with gets sick of waiting for me to catch up! I also love the beach and love summers at Mount Maunganui. My parents came from the Channel Islands (off the coast of France) and so I guess that comes from them as well as the beachy culture New Zealand has.

What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learnt as an artist, and what advice do you have for other artists out there?

Be yourself and true to who you are. I am surrounded by such an amazing team and that makes all of the difference. Believe in yourself. And never forget your values. One thing that I've started to realise is learning as much as you can from the right experienced people is key! I have so much to learn and it's vital that I keep my mind open and ways of music composition open too!

Lastly, we end all our interviews with this question - if you could say one thing to every person in the world, what would it be?

If I could think of one thing right now to say if everyone in the world could hear me, it would be to find 'your' thing to connect to that you're both passionate about and gain happiness from. To have something to be passionate about and feel so much love for is so important!

Thanks so much Sophie-Maude! Make sure to keep up with her on Instagram, Facebook, Spotify & Apple Music.