Emerging artist Sophie Mahon prepares to release her innovative new single In A Lonely Place out now.

Taking inspiration from new-wave influences such as Roxy Music, Duran Duran and David Bowie, In A Lonely Place is a vibrant slice of synth-soaked art-pop that combines nostalgic elements of the 80s with modern sensibilities in order to create a sound that is full of fun. Talking about the single, Sophie explains, “this song takes inspiration from a 1950 Nicholas Ray film of the same name. I wanted to reflect the tension and explosive nature of the movie in the song, so the New Romantic Film Noir feel developed into a more 80s power pop thing. There is a guitar solo to replicate a car skidding round a corner and out of control, which happens in the film and it’s an awesome part of the song! (If I do say so myself).”

In this interview spotlight, I chat with Sophie about the latest music, challenges, technology and more.

Full Q&A along with links and music below.

Let’s dive a little deeper into You, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre(s) or style(s)?

I think it’s the escapism, artistic intent and style that attracts me to 80s music, particularly the New Romantic era. They weren’t afraid to copy their heroes, combine genres and stand out; there were singles in the top ten that were very artistic. Bands like Duran Duran, ABC, Japan and Spandau Ballet are all unique in their own way – but amazingly born from the same influences. It is very unlikely that you would get that now, which is a shame. Let’s hope there is a revival.

What led you into this journey with music? And further, what drives you to push it out to the public?

I got into exploring music, especially from the 1980s, because of the TV show ‘Ashes To Ashes’, which is set in that decade and I fell in love with the soundtrack. From there I carried on exploring and discovered Bryan Ferry/Roxy Music. Bryan changed everything for me. I had never picked up a guitar or done any sort of music; I was creative. I am good at writing and art but had never thought about doing music. I related to Bryan as a person, he gave me confidence in my artistic abilities, which never seemed useful till then. He also made me feel okay about being shy, and when I realised he used music as an outlet, I gave it a go and found I was better at it than I thought. I was waiting to train with the Royal Navy when I had the realisation; I couldn’t bring myself to tell my parents I was thinking about music because they both had been in the RN, so I went in and did 6 months before deciding that lifes too short to not do what you enjoy. I don’t regret joining, I think it gave me the confidence to leave and my parent’s respected me for trying. As my Dad says I am the “arty farty one in the family”, so my music is now an investment for their retirement!

I want to push it out to the public because I hope to be to someone what Bryan Ferry and my other heroes are to me. If I inspire at least one person then my job here will be done. It’s also that I want to introduce listeners to other music, art, films, books and people – I have discovered a lot of new things because of David Bowie, Roxy Music and Duran Duran, so hopefully my listeners will look into the things I take inspiration from and find something new they really connect with.

I suppose I also just want to give people music for escapism, that they relate to or can just escape with for a while. The world is pretty tough, music shouldn’t have to be hard hitting all the time. Plus I could never write that way, there are people who do it a lot better than me, so I leave it to them.

Who or what influences your creativity? Have your tastes in music changed over time?

In terms of musicians I am influenced by people like Bryan Ferry/Roxy Music, Duran Duran and David Bowie, plus many other New Wave/New Romantic bands. They all influence most of the sound and style. With the lyrics and ideas I take a lot of inspiration from films, books and art – mainly 40s/50s Old Hollywood films, writers like F. Scott. Fitzgerald and painters like David Hockney.

I think my tastes have changed over time. I didn’t listen to a lot when I was younger, I just soaked up what my parents listened to, as they listen to a lot of different music. I think that must have directed the route I took when I started exploring music, so my music tastes are quite broad from Genesis to Hoagy Carmichael. I know I am listening to more jazz, swing and musicals at the moment – people like Billie Holiday, Doris Day, Fred Astaire and Duke Ellington.

Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?

‘Bogart’s Eyes’ is exactly what it says on the tin really, it’s inspired by the 1940s icon/legend Humphrey Bogart. I got into his films a couple of years ago and got a big hit of inspiration, writing a song for each film I watched.

I admire his acting hugely and just him as a person; he was a kind, gentle, honest and colourful character – I wanted to show the other sides to him as well as the hard boiled, cynical tough guy he is always remembered for.

The idea of the album is from a fan point of view – the way you feel when you discover something/someone new for the first time, who has a profound impact on you, and the way it takes over your thoughts. Like ‘Casablanca’ it’s “easy to enter but hard to leave” – the intro and outro join up so before you know it (if you leave it on the album loop) you find you are back at the start going around again.

Each song is connected to a film in some way and takes inspiration from either a quote, a scene, a character or even a dream you have because of it; covering feelings of loneliness, love and longing as it goes along.

I have aimed for it to be like a ‘Film Noir’ take on ABC’s ‘The Lexicon Of Love’. I hoped for this album to improve on the 80s sound I had built on my first album ‘Xenon Nights’, but with a warmer, more cinematic wall of sound.

I had also wanted to really put in everything I had learnt from the first project and develop myself with this project, making sure to do everything I envisioned for it including – a stop-motion animation music video (which will be with the second single) and putting 10% of the physical music and merch profits towards two charities that Bogie and I have in common (Royal Navy and Royal Marine Charity and Cancer Research UK).

I received a National Lottery Project Grant from the Art Council England to fund this project, which I would have struggled to, without it.

What was the last song you listened to?

Josephine by Chris Rea

Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?

Vinyl, followed by CDs, then tapes, then MP3s. I like having a physical copy and art work is important to me, so Vinyl and CDs show that off well.

How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?

As an artist I prefer Bandcamp as I get more royalties and can sell my merch for free. They are very artist friendly.

I’ll admit to listening to Spotify and my music is on there, it would be stupid not to. It is a great way to find and listen to music but at the end of the day I do prefer to own a physical copy. They do however really need to sort out the artist royalties, it is taking the mickey a bit at the moment, my royalty statements are comical.

Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what is the biggest challenge you face when trying to connect with or find new fans?

I would say it is a challenge because of my genre, I don’t quite fit in anywhere really, so putting me on a lineup with other new bands I tend to stick out like a sore thumb. On the one hand that works very well, as I stand out and sound unique, but sometimes people just come for one sort of thing and don’t take much interest.

It’s also a challenge dealing with social media; boosting followers and promoting yourself, that all seems to mean too much to record labels and promoters these days, which is a shame. They don’t take you for your music, instead looking at how many followers you have and video views, but sometimes, like me, you can be rubbish at being canny with the internet, so you fall flat on your face.

Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more music?

Anywhere! I am on most things – Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, Deezer, Bandcamp, Youtube, Soundcloud etc.
And for social media I have a website and I am on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. www.sophiemahon.com

https://www.sophiemahon.com
https://www.facebook.com/sophiemahonmusic/
https://twitter.com/Sophthemahon
https://www.instagram.com/sophiemahonmusic/
https://soundcloud.com/sophie-mahon
https://sophiemahon.bandcamp.com
https://open.spotify.com/artist/66UFvnJcVojWhtWpQIbSKa?si=jcZXVpWhQKyTRDU774Ca2g
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2PouhAu-AHPz1McRIAqbcA

Anything else you’d like to add before signing off?

My first single ‘In A Lonely Place’, from my upcoming album ‘Bogart’s Eyes’, is out on 30th July. The Ready Mades and I have a gig at the Primadonna Festival that day too, 1500 in Stowmarket. After that we have a gig supporting The Wendy James Band (Transvision Vamp) on August 27th at the Norwich Art Centre. Then the second single ‘Bogart’s Eyes’, complete with a stop-motion animation music video is out on 3rd September. And then, finally, the whole album ‘Bogart’s Eyes’ will be out on 1st October!

That’s it, I’m done, my hands hurt from typing!!