I was so excited to meet so many up and coming stupendously gifted artists at last year’s 18th Annual Indie Week Canada Conference. It was Indie Week’s 1st ever virtual Conference with 1000’s in attendance over the 5-day sessions where I was honored as a delegate, to be included in the Media Row on Nov. 12th from 6-8 pm where we were placed in interview break out rooms. I got to meet the sensational Sophie Noel, but unfortunately, our room was cut short and I didn’t get the time I had hoped for with Sophie, however, she was so awesome to accept my full interview post-Indie Week and here is what she had to share.

DEB: Hello, I was thrilled to have sat in on an interview with an alt-country singer-songwriter that is transplanted into the Canadian North, and calls Dawson City Yukon home. Sophie, from home, shared some awesome news. “Sometime, in the not so distant and not so near future, I am going to be releasing a huge little thing. We’re just frothing to share with you what’s in the works, so to tide us all over, please enjoy this first in a little series of generator shows. One song each, either an original or a cover of a friend’s song, the song: is called Donna, and I co-wrote it with Logan Richard in May. It will always hold a little bit of that early pandemic, what-am-i-doing vibe for me; it was the product of my first time co-writing remotely and Tryna channel creative ~flö over video chat. the place: just a few feet from my driveway. :~) filmed by Mitch.” https://www.facebook.com/srophienoel/videos/3766569596716279

Sophie Noel, it was a pleasure as much as an honor to have met you this evening as part of the Media Row Breakout Rooms at the 2020 Virtual Indie Week Canada Conference.

DEB: Congrats on your foundation of love, with your 1st EP out last October 4th in 2019, called Sisterly, pretty stellar material. I am addicted already as I tuned in and got to groove away with it at your Spotify and Bandcamp. https://srophie.bandcamp.com/releases
I was disappointed that our room got switched over a few minutes early at Indie Week, as you were about to answer the 1 question I sent your way. I was excited to have sent you a few more questions seen here, a tad more in-depth based on your career. What does success mean to you, as well, what’s your secret is to longevity? SOPHIE: “Hi Dee, thanks for your email and your patience in my response. To me, success is synonymous with sustainability and fulfillment. If I can lift my head above the trees and find those in whatever I am pursuing, I can consider it successful. I can’t presume to know much about longevity, so I’ll defer to my elders on that front. I’d like to think that sustainability and fulfillment are along the right lines.“

DEB: Highlight aspects of your cultural background that makes your music unique? SOPHIE: “My cultural background is that of a white European settler, and I don’t think that it serves to make my music unique any more than any other aspect of my experience! “

DEB: What do your songs aim to say? SOPHIE: “They all aim to say different things in support of their respective lyrical content.” 

DEB: Contrary to popular belief, making it is the art of music isn’t merely a game of luck, as it requires talent, strategy, dedication, and determination based on your vision and goals.  Share with your fans your creative studio process, and share any awards or accolades you have received and how you are developing your career during Covid -19? SOPHIE: “During the pandemic, I have had the opportunity to work with producers and engineers all over the country out of our respective home studios. It has been a time of great productivity for me, and I have been awarded a recording grant from the Yukon government for my current recording efforts. I guess all of this free time has been fruitful! Although the music industry has forever changed because of these global circumstances, I am excited about the opportunities Covid has provided, and the lateral thinking these times have encouraged!”

DEB: Some of the most historical and revered music has always played a deep role in the transformation of society.  Some consider how their art relates to the current social-political landscape or how their music can address these themes.  Does your music touch on social or political issues?   SOPHIE: “My lyrical content doesn’t actively engage in social or political issues, but the music is a product of society and politics nonetheless. Feminism, intersectionality, and anti-oppression are central to my values and therefore are represented in the music that I write, as well as how it is presented.”

Sophie, fans can stay in tune with you by visiting your site at http://sophie-noel.com as well by stopping into your Facebook https://www.facebook.com/srophienoel

I am truly blown away by your positive energy, and thank you once again for your time.

Stay safe and keep the faith, cheers.

Deb, Music Editor, and Photojournalist/Columnist The Wire MEGAzine www.thewiremegazine.com BLOG www.seeingshowswithdebdraper.com