Meet: Sophia Mohan Who Is Bringing Dreamy Bedroom Pop With A Bite Under The Moniker SOMOH


Oscar Blair

Give us a potted history of yourself

Firstly, I was put in classical singing lessons at a young age. Although I wasn’t too pleased about it at first, it did ignite my love for music and was the foundation for my vocal technique. It was always just a hobby until around 14 years old, when I began to write my own songs and realised it was the one thing that felt natural to me. In 2018 I began studying at The BRIT School and when covid disrupted my time there, I resorted to posting original music and covers on Instagram and Soundcloud, while I figured out what I wanted to achieve next. Those demos helped me to start making connections in the industry and begin writing sessions around London. Around that time, I posted a cover of one of my favourite songs by Far Caspian (Joel Johnston). He has been such a big part of my musical journey, from producing my very first single to now being signed to his independent label ‘Tiny Library’. It feels really fulfilling to work with someone who’s music and attitude I admire.

Who inspired you to start making music

It’s hard to pinpoint what exactly inspired me to start writing, however I had a music teacher in secondary school who stands out to me as someone who always encouraged me creatively. I’d like to think she saw something in me, or maybe how much her classes helped me through some difficult times at that age.

And the one or maybe two records that inspired you artistically

I think Alex G and Imogen Heap have inspired my musical most prominently. I love the way that Alex G uses alternate tunings and strumming patterns, to give even his ‘simpler’ songs a really interesting soundscape. Imogen Heap’s vocals and use of harmonies have inspired me to be more experimental in how I craft top lines and produce a fuller sound. 

If you’re trying to explain whom you sound like to someone that’s never heard you, what do you say

This is always a hard question for me to answer, but the references I get quite a lot are to the likes of Beabadoobee and Soccer Mommy. 

Tell us about your new single

My new song ‘Favourite’ is the first single off of my upcoming project. It’s about having a fixer mentality and feeling validated in trying to ‘save’ loved ones from difficult times. I went up to Leeds to record this song with Joel and it was basically done in a day. It’s the fastest a song has been written and put out, but I think that speaks to just how excited I am for the next era of music I’ve been making. 

Where can we get hold of it  

It’s out on all streaming platforms now!

Tell us how you write

I prefer to write alone in my bedroom. It’s where I’ve always felt most at ease and I find it takes the pressure off of trying to make things work straight away. Playing around with alternate tunings on the guitar really helps me get inspired. Usually I’ll find a chord progression I like and start mumbling a melody until the right lyric fits. Then I’ll send a rough demo to my bassist Iris, who I know will always create an amazing bassline to start filling out the backine. 

Tell us about your live show What would be your dream gig

Currently it’s quite a small set up as a lot of my gigs have been solo performances. Only recently have I introduced the bass to live shows and next month I have my first show with a full band. I’m super excited to finally showcase how the new and old music sounds this way. My dream venue would be the O2 Greenwich. Me and my best friend went to a gig there in January 2020 and I still remember how we looked at each other in awe. It was a real lightbulb moment like ‘we ARE going to be playing here one day’.

What can we expect from you in the near future

I’ll be releasing a few more singles ahead of my next project, which will be released early next year. I’ll also be touring for the first time ever, supporting Far Caspian on his UK run next month.

Tell us your favourite records that are rocking your headphones/tour bus/stereo

These are top 5 favourite songs right now:

‘Wasting Your Time’ by Indigo De Souza

‘HOT TO GO!’ by Chappell Roan

‘Serotonin’ by Fog Lake

‘Good Time Now’ by Lily Konigsberg 

‘No Snitch’ by Juniour Brother 

Previous Gallery and Set-list: Boygenius - The Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin 28.08.2023
Next Track: SOMOH - Favourite

1 Comment

  1. […] Meet: Sophia Mohan Who Is Bringing Dreamy Bedroom Pop With A Bite Under The Moniker SOMOH […]

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