Sophia Darcell
Interview 24
February 2007
Interviews Menu interviews
Name - Sophia Darcell
City - Miami Beach
Age - 31
Style - Pop/Soul/Jazz
Tell me about yourself, where you from, background, family - I'm originally
from Miami, Florida; grew up here all my life with gree parrots, sunny beaches,
and royal palms as a back drop.
Do you still live there, if not where are you based - I'm based in Miami, along
with the other band members, Kenny (bassist), Marcello (guitarist), Eric
(guitarist) and Dave (drummer). However Dave is from Paris, Eric is American
but grew up in Paris, Kenny is from Memphis, and Marcello is from Ecuador...so
we're a worldly bunch.
What are you working on now - Right now we're preparing to shoot a series of
music videos for singles on the Soul Eclectic album. The first video will be
shot in The Grand Bahamas in the next couple of months.
Do you have a CD out or when can we expect it. - Our album "Soul
Eclectic" was released over the Internet 8/29/06.
How’s it going down – what tracks can we look out for/do you like - Album faves
from our fans are "7 Seas", "Senor Alvarez",
"Charades", "They Love Like That", "Make Up Your
Mind", & "Some Day Someone". We've received a lot of pretty
good reviews...
Did you write the songs - Yes, I wrote all the songs and produced them as well
with my co-producer Todd Watson who worked with me on my first album,
"Love=Pain". We brought aboard a few new musicians while recording
the album in Atlanta, and also worked with Steve Cunningham, the guitarist that
appeared on the debut CD as well.
If so tell me about the writing process - The writing is easy because I've been
writing songs since I was a kid. I've always heard music in my head, and I
write about what I know. Sometimes it'll start with a bass line, like "7
Seas". I was at the beach, standing out off shore in the ocean and as I
looked out at the horizon I started hearing that bass line in my head...so I
rushed ashore, grabbed my vocal recorder, pen, and paper, and started writing.
And production? - Since I hear the music in my head, I just sit down at my
keyboard workstation (I often use the Triton LE) and start banging out the beats,
the bass lines, the keys, etc...I put together the basic groove, take it to the
studio in Atlanta, and then Todd and I will get the musicians in to put their
stank on the groove...it all comes together.
What instruments do you play - Keys...tried the drums but just couldn't do it.
Where is it obtainable from - You can purchase "Soul Eclectic" on
iTunes.com, CDBaby.com and also through Amazon.com. Soon it will be available
in off line stores...sometime around the middle of '07.
Tell me about your style, what you do and what do you add to the rest of the
stuff out there - Our style is different because I'm not your average chick.
I'm a bit strange in that I realized a long time ago that I dance to my own
beat. I can listen to Fela Kuti one minute and Mary J. Blige the next. After
that I'll throw in some Sting followed by Ella Fitzgerald...I just like good
music period. So basically you'll get this eclect mix of styles on "Soul
Eclectic". Fundamentally it's Soul music, a lot of 70s flavor, a la Curtis
Mayfield...yet there's the flavor of jazz, afro-caribbean, and R&B. I don't
think any critic has quite pigeon-holed what it is we do as far as music goes,
but the response has been good.
Whats your show like, what gigs are you doing. - The guys and I in the band, we
have a good time on stage. We're all like brothers with one sister. I'm the
only female up there, and they just back up the groove with their playing...My
guys are pretty tight. I have to give it to them, but overall it's the synergy
we share. We get up on the stage, vibe, do our thing, and pull the audience in
to some chilled grooves.
Do you use the same people live as on your recorded material. - No, most of the
time it's me and the band.
Do you write your songs, if so what do you draw from - I write what I know.
Like with "Some Day Someone" I drew from a past relationship in which
I broke up with a guy but let him know that everything he'd did to me would
happen to him...I write from my emotions. If I'm in a good mood, you'll get a
sexy song. if I'm pissed off...you'll know. You'll hear it in the music and the
lyrics. I also write of my experiences and also the experiences of those around
me.
Tell me about the team of people around you. - There's David, our manager -
hard working guy that pretty much oversees the whole Sophia Darcell engine and
makes sure things are running smoothly...Kenny is the rock of the group.
Strong-minded, blunt, to the point, and a damn good bassist. He keeps us all in
check. Marcello and Eric are both killer guitarists and they compliment eavh
other well...No egos. Dave is just really cool and laid back. He locks downt eh
groove with Kenny. They're good people, and I love them all like my brothers.
Whats it like getting yourself heard, and getting stuff down as an independent.
- It's a good feeling when you get emails and comments from people all over the
world saying your music touched them. I love that part of it.
Who are your influences, currently and from back in the day - My influences go
as far back as Billie Holiday to contemporaries such as Incognito, Sade, and
Norah Jones
Has music always been in you from an early age - Oh yes. I've been singing and
writing songs since I was five years old.
Are you in it full time - Definitely. Music is what I live every day every
night.
What other independent artists are you feeling - I dig Fertile Ground, Amel
Larrieux...can't really think of any one else right now, but I'm sure there are
many more.
What’s the scene like where you are - Miami's cool. Atlanta has far more going
on music-wise...love the NYC scene...Miami is more like my breathing zone...my
break zone...although we do perform locally at select venues.
What do you know about other markets, UK, Europe, Japan etc - It seems like the
UK is digging us. We've got a lot of fanfare therer and plan a tour later in
the summer. Also we're playing Toronto in July, so we're starting to explore
outside markets more and more.
How do you see Soul Music right now - I think Soul now is what it's always been
- music that's real, music that contains truth and substance. To do Soul Music,
you gotta have soul...meaning you need to have some real life lessons you can
bring to the groove.
What are your ambitions - Just to keep singing, writing, and putting out music.
I'm not one for ego-tripping. I don't need to see my face on a billboard to
feel good about my music. I'm actually a bit of a recluse, so if I can just
keep doing music on the indie level - that's always good by me.
Whats happening next - Well we're hitting the studio up again in the summer to
rerecord a ballad, "Can't Find Love". It didn't make the album, but
we're releasing it as a single during the late fall...we'll also be recording
the third album all winter...so I've already started doing some writing for it.
In fact today, I slept and dreamed of the album title...Weird like the album
has already started writing itself.
Is there something adventurous you might like to do but haven’t yet with your
music - You know I've always loved Country music...never know I might venture
that way with a track or two.
What do you enjoy most about what you do - Touching others with my music.
What other things do you like to do - I'm an outdoorsy type so I can pretty
much be found near the ocean either laying out in the sun or boating in the
Keys.
A few random one word things - Palms. Sun. Tide. Moon. Keys. Blue.
Favourite artist - Incognito.
Film - Carmen Jones starring Dorothy Dandridge.
Actor/Actress - Don't really have one.
Food - Anything caribbean.
Drink - Mojito
City - South Beach.
Country - Good Ole' US of A
Holiday Vacation - Christmas is my fave.
Sport/Team - Not much of a sports fan.
Well, that's it Mike, Let me know where I can send those pics!
Sophia
Visitors: