Sofia Stanley – Why
ARTIST NAME: Sofia Stanley
SONG TITLE: Why?
RELEASE DATE: 19/3/2021
GENRE: Pop, Electro-Rock, R&B
iTunes
Deezer
Spotify
YouTube
Reverbnation
Website
Sofia Stanley is an 18-year-old singer-songwriter that hails all the way from Sligo, Ireland, but is based in the Midlands, UK! Sofia would describe herself as an artist that likes to explore her artistry, as she is an artist that doesn’t like to be put into a box. Sofia is a very versatile and creative artist, as her debut single “Angel” is a slow emotional R&B ballad, her second single “Why?” is an acoustic-pop song about the feeling of embarrassment, and her upcoming EP entitled “Tissues For My Issues” is a project that explores topics such as teenage angst, mental health and specializes in genres such as Rock, Electronic, R&B and Pop. A wide variety of genres, but all captured in Sofia’s own way and perspective. Sofia has been writing, singing, and performing for years now, and has a remarkable stage presence.
Sofia has had incredible success with her small but impressive discography, having been featured in publications such as Hot Press Magazine, ZO Magazine, BUZZ MUSIC LA, Concert Monkey, and two major newspapers in Ireland, as well as her first-ever TV interview for THE BIG SHOW, that aired in Belfast, Ireland. Also, her song “Angel” has gained minor attention on TikTok, with people creating their own spin on the song. Sofia was doing live stream shows on Facebook throughout the coronavirus pandemic, which created more success for the young songstress, having garnered just under 50,000 views on all of her videos combined, of which she was only seventeen at the time! From studying at BIMM Birmingham to the major success with her music, Sofia is an artist that isn’t slowing down any time soon, and is definitely one to watch out for!
LYRICS:
Okay, um
This is really embarrassing
I can’t believe I’m saying this out loud
I’ve said things
I haven’t meant things
Sometimes it just slips out
Not offending, just humiliating
I’ll just take a minute to
Think about it
Feels like I’m gonna sink in a hole and die
I’m on my knees
I’m begging you, please?
Try and forget about it
Why?
Why did I say that?
Did I really do that?
Can’t believe that happened to me
If I had dollar
For every time I hollered something stupid Yeah
I would be rich
Ooh
Why why why why why?
Ooh
Why why why why?
Thinking bout’ the past
Could’ve really had a blast
If I hadn’t done the following
Commit a photobomb (bomb)
Get someone’s name very wrong (wrong)
Or call my teacher mom (mom)
I don’t wanna know what they’re thinking
Cause if I did I’d lose myself
Oh no I’ll never forget it
But does that mean that they ever will?
Why?
Why did I say that?
Did I really do that?
Can’t believe that happened to me
If I had dollar
For every time I hollered something stupid
Yeah, I would be rich
Ooh
Why why why why why?
Ooh
Why why why why?
(Instrumental)
Why?
Why did I say that?
Did I really do that?
Can’t believe that happened to me
If I had dollar
For every time I hollered something stupid
Yeah, I would be rich
Ooh
Why why why why why?
Ooh
Why why why why?
I never wanna go back there
I never wanna go back
I just wanna hide my face for a trillion years
Feedback: The response to my music has been amazing, despite the fact that I only have two songs released, my debut single “Angel” being released in 2020! I like to create music that people can relate to in their own unique way!
Even though I only have a small discography, I have been told that my music is pretty versatile! My debut single “Angel” is a song about mourning the loss of someone that was close to you, my next single “Why?” is a song about humiliation and embarrassment… a subject I feel doesn’t get spoken enough about in society! Also, my upcoming EP “Tissues For My Issues” is a pop, electro-rock record exploring topics such as teenage angst and mental health! The first single off the EP will be released very soon so keep your eyes peeled!
Writing: When I write a song, I consider the following:
Good chords that mesh well together
A catchy melody
Great lyricism
I consider these factors with any song I write, whether it is a ballad or a fast, up-tempo song. If you look at songwriters who are famous for singing ballads, such as Ed Sheeran or Adele, they have chords and melodies that stick in peoples’ minds and sound great together, while also having very touching lyrics that people can relate to. Then you have songwriters who write up-tempo, dance-Esque songs such as MNEK, who take the same approach when it comes to songwriting but end up with a song with just as much catchiness and quality and the emotional, Lewis Capaldi-type songs.
Any songs that I write, whether it’s the ones I have released or the hundreds of unreleased songs inside my musical vault, or whether they’re fast or slow songs, they have all been created using these three key songwriting tips!
Production of the Song: Although I would call “Why?” an up-tempo track, the production that builds the track is actually very subtle and minuscule! In terms of instrumentation, the entire song is literally made up of my electric guitar, a drumbeat, strings played from my MIDI keyboard, a brief piano riff and an electronic bass played from my MIDI keyboard. That’s it! Aside from that, I have a couple of layers of vocals, which consist of the main vocal, harmonies, and background vocals. It’s really nothing major!
It’s crazy though, because “Why?” is by far my song with the least amount of production, yet it’s the song that people are relating to the most! Plus, because of the extreme relatability in the lyrics, I wanted the production to be as natural as possible!
Mood: It really depends. If I’m in a happy mood, I’ll write a song about being happy! If I’m bored, I will write a song about how bored I am! If I’m in the mood for chocolate, I will write a song about chocolate! Any mood that I’m in, I’ll write a song about it!
As strange as it sounds, I write my best songs when I’m bored. I have so many unreleased songs that are about the most bizarre things! I have written songs about things such as giraffes, sour patch kids, cats, and skydiving (FYI: I’ve never been skydiving but I would love to experience it someday!)! I also get my inspiration from random places such as sitting outside under the starry sky and the moon, sitting in a place such as an airport or a shopping center/mall, or swimming in a pool or in the sea! That is the beautiful thing about songwriting and creating music that you love, you are allowed to get creative with it!
Favorite Artists: I am into a variety of artists! My favorite artists go all the way from Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber to Def Leppard and Shania Twain… needless to say, I’m into a lot of different types of music!
Artists such as Nicki Minaj, Doja Cat, Eminem, and Ed Sheeran all inspire me with their lyricism techniques. They have a very creative and unique way of approaching lyricism within their songwriting and craft.
Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber are both incredible singers and have great vocal techniques! They both inspire me when it comes to singing, they have such melodic and tuneful voices!
When it comes to music style, I have a huge variety of influences, as I love to play around with different styles and genres. As an artist, I do not like to be put into a box; I just like to make music that I love! I honestly wouldn’t know how to describe my sound, as I just love to make different kinds of music and collaborate with different kinds of artists! However, If I were to pick some artists that are the major influences on my music style, I would say that The 1975, YUNGBLUD, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, and Eminem definitely inspire the majority of the music that I make. A lot of different sounds, but all done in my own way!
Performing and Recording.
When it comes to recording in the studio for the first time, I haven’t yet experienced that! All of my music has been recorded in the studio that I set up in my bedroom, so being in a professional music studio with a bunch of producers, songwriters, etc. is a venture that is yet to happen!
However, I have performed live for the first time when I was fifteen years old. I got up to sing with my mother, as she is also an entertainer. I was super nervous at first, but as soon as I got up there I had the time of my life! It was the best feeling ever being up on the stage, singing in front of a crowd of people! And I was super lucky that I was able to start at a young age like fifteen, as it gave me great experience and made me into the artist and person I am today!
Songwriting: For me personally, writing a good song starts with a good melody. I approach songwriting on a melody first-lyrics second basis.
“Angel” came to life when I accidentally came up with the piano riff in the chorus, and it just went from there. Although there is a strong message behind “Angel”, the initial melody definitely brought the song to life. And it’s the same with my song “Why?”. I was just messing around on the guitar and I accidentally played these really cool, catchy chords! With “Why?”, I already had an idea of what the song would be about, but the chords and melody helped shape the song into what it is today!
Multi-Genres: I love to blend genres together, I make a new sound, and I love thinking outside the box and collaborating with artists that are different from me! I think there is something so awesome in that, as there is a chance to grow my sound even further, while also making friends with a new artist!
I listen to music such as rock, hip-hop, R&B, pop, and classical/opera! I love genres that go all the way from bubblegum pop to heavy rock, and I think it’s super important to do that as an artist because you’re making a sound that nobody has ever heard before, something that is individual to you.
Inspiration: My family are heavily involved in music. My mother is a well-known singer in Ireland and the UK, my father is a guitarist, both of my grandparents are very well-known country artists in Ireland and the UK, and some of my siblings are also musicians… so it definitely feels natural for me to go into music as a career! As a young child, I would go to shows with my parents and experience what it’s like to be on a stage from a very young age, so my family has definitely inspired me to carry on the musical tradition!
Plus, I am a very creative person as a whole! When I’m not doing music, I like to paint, draw, write and create stories, and also attend drama club! So music is definitely something that comes naturally to me, it’s something that is in my blood and something that I just love doing! It’s also something that is extremely therapeutic for me, and if I’m having a rough day or struggling with anxiety, music is my outlet!
Vocals: I have a small studio up in my bedroom where I record all my music and my vocals! I have a Rhode microphone that I use, and I plug it into my desk, which then goes into my laptop! When I’m recording my vocals, I usually put a blanket over my head as it creates a nice, natural sound on my vocals that is easily edited. I don’t yet have foam cushions that I can put on the walls, so I just put my soft blanket that can soak up the excess sound for now!
Software: On my EP that is about to be released, I use Logic Pro X on my Apple Mac! However, my songs “Why?” and “Angel” were both recorded and produced on GarageBand! It’s so funny because when I tell people this, they look at me and start laughing because they presumed I used something professional like Logic! But it just goes to show you that it’s not about how expensive the software is; it’s about how you use it to your advantage!
Song: “Why?” is a song that explores the feelings of embarrassment and humiliation, something I feel that isn’t explored enough in music!
The initial idea of the song came to life from an embarrassing day I had at work. I work as a waitress, and my job is to walk around and take people’s food and drinks! So one day, I was taking a tray of drinks to a table full of people. As soon as I got up to the table, I tripped over a step and fell flat on my face, along with the drinks! There was a glass of red wine that I was carrying as well, and I accidentally spilled it all over a customer, and, let’s just say, they didn’t look too happy, to say the least!
So I got home from work later that day, thinking and worrying about what happened earlier. I felt so embarrassed, I didn’t want to go back to work and face everyone ever again… Which then made me want to write a song about it… And that is exactly what I did! About an hour later, the song was finished! It is by far the song that I am most proud of, and also a song that didn’t take me long to create!
Album’s Title: My upcoming EP, which is also my debut EP, is entitled “Tissues For My Issues”. The meaning behind the title stems from a variety of different topics: teenage angst, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and bullying. As a teenager myself, I can relate to all of these and I hope many people can relate to it too!