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EXCLUSIVE! Sophie Powers is just casually reinventing pop music
When it comes to alt-pop singer Sophie Powers, "obsessed" (coincidentally the title of her newest single, out now!) doesn't even begin to cover it.
One glance at her candy-colored IG, and anyone can tell Sophie is, well, powerful. Everything about her screams bright and bold: her ever-changing hair, her fabulously futuristic ensembles and her peppy personality, too. Plus, with her unique, genre-blending sound, she's reshaping the industry—and refusing to let any naysayers bring her down. "Hate comments just don't phase me anymore," she laughs. "I'm already confident in my abilities."
Dying for a dose of that same cool-girl confidence? Same here. Start by streaming "Obsessed". Then read on to uncover Sophie's secrets for songwriting, playing dress up 24/7 and, you know, changing the pop music landscape for good.
Girls' Life: What was the process of writing your new single "Obsessed"?
Sophie Powers: I normally write all my songs with just me, my producer and my co-writer. But this time we brought in one of my friends, Liam, who's a songwriter and his mentor, Bonnie McKee, who wrote tons of Katy Perry's hits. Liam's energy with Bonnie's experience brought something new and fresh to the song.
GL: You're opening for Waterparks again this year. How are you feeling about touring?
Sophie: I'm super excited for tour! I've gotten a lot better since the last time I performed with Waterparks. Plus, now I have an all-female band, which is so cool.
GL: You have such a vibrant aesthetic! Why did you decide to lean into a hyperpop vibe?
Sophie: I'm always trying to make my inner child happy. I played a lot of Minecraft growing up, which is where you see the pixel aesthetic. And I loved dressing up as a child, but I fell out of love with it—until I started doing music. It's funny, people see my style and are often like, "That's just a character." And I'm like, "No, that's really who I am!"
GL: How do you choose your 'fits for your music videos and tours?
Sophie: I give credit to my costume designer, Beck. She's an amazing seamstress. We'll do the sketches together, and then she sews the design for me. There's a lot of back-and-forth. I'm really specific because it's my vision at the end of the day, and she always brings it to life!
GL: Is there an artist who really inspires your music?
Sophie: It's kind of a mix of everything, honestly. I listen to a lot of Nirvana. I love Avril Lavigne, Britney Spears and the Smashing Pumpkins. I grew up going to the symphony with my aunt and uncle, so Mozart too. And I can't forget Grimes, of course.
GL: Your music is a combination of hyper-pop, glitch-rock and punk. Is it hard when you feel like you're blending so many genres and breaking the mold?
Sophie: To me, it's all about taking my favorite elements from my favorite artists and making them my own. So like we'll take the electronic sounds that Lady Gaga might use and mix in that confidence that Britney brings. But at the end of the day, it's still me and I think that authenticity shines through in my lyrics.
Fast faves with ✨ Sophie Powers✨
One makeup product you cannot live without: "Blush! It just pops when I'm under spotlights."
Most influential singer: "Lady Gaga. I listen to a lot of Lady Gaga and Britney Spears and Avril Lavigne. That's where I get so many of my guitars and electric sounds."
Fave part of touring: "Meet and greets with fans after the show."
Essential pre-show ritual: "I listen to "Poker Face," and I have hot chocolate. Every day, at least twice a day. That's not even a pre-show ritual, that's just my life.
A fact fans might not know about you: "I get synesthesia! When I'm listening to a song, I'll see colors or a texture or feel its temperature."
Stream Sophie's new single "Obsessed" HERE!
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Note: Parts of this interview have been edited and condensed for clarity.
All images courtesy of Sophie Powers