SPOTLIGHT: SOPHIE VALERIE
Meet singer-songwriter Sophie Valerie and tune into her newest single “Fifth Wheel.”
Growing up in Vienna, a city with a rich musical heritage, how has your environment influenced your development as a singer-songwriter and producer?
Vienna is especially known for its classical music, and while I really enjoy it, it hasn’t directly influenced me as a singer-songwriter. Growing up, I didn’t listen to a lot of German music either. Instead, I found myself drawn to American pop stars like Katy Perry and Ariana Grande, watching their music videos over and over.
You describe yourself as passionate about writing honest and authentic lyrics. Are there any particular artists or experiences that have shaped this approach to storytelling in your music?
Definitely SZA! She is a huge inspiration when it comes to songwriting and production, too! I love her honest approach, it’s so refreshing that I sometimes find myself questioning if I understood the lyrics correctly because she’s so sincere.
As an independent artist at 21, what challenges and rewards have you encountered while navigating the music industry on your own terms?
The biggest challenge right now is reaching new people and finding the right audience. I’m still learning and figuring everything out. On top of that, I’m currently getting my bachelor’s degree, which is stressful and makes it hard to dedicate as much time to music as I’d like. But every time I see someone commenting on my TikTok, saying they love my songs, it makes all the effort worth it.
You mentioned that “Fifth Wheel” was inspired by feeling left out at a party. Can you walk us through the moment you realized this experience needed to be a song?
Most of the time, when I write lyrics, it’s just for myself. It’s like therapy, whenever I need to get something off my chest, I open my notes app and start writing. That was the case with “Fifth Wheel” as well, so there wasn’t really a moment where I consciously decided to turn it into a song. Writing about my experiences just comes naturally to me.
The lyric, “You see three of me but wouldn’t notice if I disappeared under the rug next to the kitchen sink,” is particularly evocative. How did this imagery come to you, and what does it represent?
In the situation, I wanted to disappear really bad, and this sad little rug in the kitchen caught my eye. When I was writing, I remembered it and came up with the lyrics.
To break it down more:
“You see three of me” means the person is drunk and their vision is blurred, so they might see me three times, but in a distorted and meaningless way. “But wouldn’t notice if I disappeared under the rug next to the kitchen sink” represents being so irrelevant to a point you might as well be hiding in some random, forgotten corner of the house.
Balancing roles as both a songwriter and producer gives you complete creative control. How does this dual role impact the sound and message of your music?
Being my own producer is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, I love not having to depend on someone else to bring my vision to life. I can create a song that’s 100% me. On the other hand, it’s sometimes difficult to translate the ideas in my head into a finished song. I’d love to collaborate more with other producers and artists in the future.
Many people in their twenties can relate to the feeling of being a “fifth wheel.” What do you hope listeners take away from this track?
That it’s okay to feel like a fifth wheel sometimes, and nothing to be ashamed of.
How does “Fifth Wheel” differ from your previous releases, both thematically and sonically?
The theme of “Fifth Wheel” is very personal and something I haven’t addressed in my music before, so it feels like a new chapter for me. Sonically, I’d say it’s a mix of the styles I’ve explored in my previous songs, but it sounds more professional in my opinion. It’s also the first song I’ve released that includes a proper bridge, so I’m really proud of that!
The sound of a soda can cracking open immediately caught my attention in all the best ways. What was the thought process behind this inclusion?
When I was working on the beat, I felt like something was missing and wanted to spice it up a bit, so I added the opening can sound. It really fits with the theme of partying and drinking, and it’s also such a satisfying sound that you don’t often hear in music.
Can you share any behind-the-scenes stories from the production of “Fifth Wheel” that highlight your creative process?
My creative process is always different. Sometimes I start with lyrics, sometimes with an instrumental I produce, or even just a sample I like. With “Fifth Wheel,” the lyrics came first, and then I built the production around them, but often, it’s the other way around.
You’ve already released singles like “Friend” and “Couples Crap.” Can we expect an EP or album in the near future?
Right now, I’m focused on releasing singles, but I’d love to work on an EP in the future.
How do you see your music evolving in the next few years? Are there other genres you’d be interested in exploring?
I could see myself diving more into early 2000s R&B, like the sound Aaliyah had back in the day or the style that the girl group FLO is bringing back now.
To end on a fun note, what is your dream collaboration?
It’s impossible to choose just one, but SZA and Snoh Aalegra would definitely be at the top of my list!
Listen to “Fifth Wheel” here.
