You already know we love to shine a light on small artists here at the hive! So when we found Sofia Gillani, it was a no-brainer that we needed to interview her! Thankfully, she came back with some amazing answers for us, and we’re so excited to share.
Whether you’re looking for a new artist to love or just wanting to learn more about Sofia Gillani, you’re in the right place!
Hi Sofia! Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions for us. Can you introduce yourself for our readers who may not know you yet?
Hi! I’m Sofia Gillani, a passionate, avant-garde, pop singer-songwriter! I’m very experimental and cover a wide range of genres, and have released 11 singles, compiled in a small project called ‘Pieces of Me.’
Adding onto that last question, which of your songs would you say best define your artistry and why?
I have a range of sounds in my repertoire so far, rapping in ‘Levels,’ doing pop in ‘Water Run Dry,’ and then a more abstract take on ‘Waiting for You.’ It just proves that my artistry knows no bounds, and there’s always something new from me!
‘WYN’
You’ve referred to your latest single ‘WYN’ as the next part of you. How do you think this track marks the next phase of your career?
‘WYN’ is, in my opinion, the sequel to a song named ‘Bleed,’ a track that I put out just before ‘Levels.’ I purposely did this because I wanted to show this journey of me releasing negative energy in ‘Bleed,’ dealing with those positive vibes and going through ‘Levels,’ and then exploring the aftermath of that experience – through ‘WYN’.
Her Creative Process
We’ve watched all of your music videos and we just have to compliment your creativity! What does the creative process look like for you when creating a visualizer?
Awww, you flatter me! When approaching visuals, in my opinion, it’s a whole new ball game. I first have to discuss with my creative director, and we come to a conclusion on the vision for this song. Then through the process of mood board, trial and error, and hair and makeup done by yours truly, we shoot a music video! And through this beautiful journey as a musical artist, there have been so many different visuals we have gotten to play around with.
You had your start in musical theater at just nine years old! What’s it been like to navigate your musical journey since such a young age?
I think starting at such a young age makes your passion for creating so great, and provides such a blank canvas when you’re driven by the motivation to sing and produce. But, there is a LOT of learning to do, and with the support of my team, we have learnt so much together – which is weird, because I’m just getting started!
‘WYN’ is your 11th single. Imagine you could go back to your first release knowing what you know now. What, if anything, would you change?
Not a thing. I like to look upon my past projects and reminisce on the outlook I had on the world then. My first song was ridiculously playful and fun with the animatic visual and the silly message. But now, I know for sure my songwriting has taken a more poetic turn.
Performing
In the past, you’ve played several HMV shows as well as some festivals. Which of your songs do you enjoy performing the most?
Absolutely ‘Water Run Dry’ and ‘Levels.’ I find that, in my gigs, I love to play songs that are happy and vocally challenging. The vibe with ‘Levels’ is also so fun for festivals, and it just sets that joyful atmosphere I want with any crowd. It reminds me of how much I love performing.
In this age of social media, there are a lot of up-and-coming artists in this space. What do you think separates you from them?
I never really do the same thing twice. Everything I release is new and sudden and exciting, and it’s through that unpredictability that has drawn people who enjoy different genres and built up a fanbase that I love so very much. At the end of the day, I want to release music that people resonate with and build a safe space.
What’s Next
If there’s one thing our readers take from this interview about you, what would you like it to be?
If you want to try something new, stream Sofia Gillani to find a singer that will push the boundaries in her songs and explore her musicality alongside her audience!
Thanks again for taking the time to chat with us today! Would you be willing to share a bit about what’s coming next for you?
Thank you for having me! Make sure to stay tuned on @sofia.aneesa.gillani on Instagram, because that is where most of my updates on gigs are! There are a lot of exciting festivals and more HMV store shows coming up, but my socials are the place to find those updates!
Thanks again to Sofia Gillani for answering our questions. We can’t wait to see what comes next for her! In the meantime, tweet us @TheHoneyPop or find us buzzing on Facebook and Instagram to share all your thoughts on our interview with Sofia!
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SOFIA GILLANI:
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