We were lucky to catch up with Sophie Coran recently and have shared our conversation below.
Sophie, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
When I was two years old, I asked my mom for a “pi-na-no.” Music has always been a huge part of my life, in fact, I’m not sure there’s ever been a period of time where music wasn’t a defining factor in my decisions. From piano lessons, to learning to write down the songs I heard in my head, to studying classical composition in college, I knew music would always be present in one way or another.
I remember the day that my piano teacher helped me notate my first song on manuscript paper, and I was so excited! Eventually I studied classical composition and piano at the Manhattan School of Music, which helped me learn how to arrange my songs for strings, and other orchestral instruments. After graduating from MSM, I spent some time abroad, landing in London, and then back to Philly, where I am currently based. I’m in the process of releasing the first single, “love’s so insane” from this new batch of my music.
Sophie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am a singer-songwriter and composer based in Philly. My music combines indie, pop, jazz, soul, r&b, and rock influences with hyper-personal lyrics. I started playing the piano and taking lessons when I was almost five-years-old. After studying classical composition and piano at the Manhattan School of Music in NYC, I spent some time abroad traveling around Europe, then settling in London for a year, where I continued to pursue music. Eventually, I moved back to Philly, where I have been based ever since. In addition to being a singer-songwriter and performing my original music, I also arrange strings for other artists, which is something I’m really passionate about.
This year, I will be releasing new music, which I spent the last 3 years working on- needless to say, I am excited and ready for this new release cycle! I am also planning some touring as well.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
I love having an outlet to be able to express myself. Whenever I am going through a difficult personal time, I have my songs to help me make sense of my emotions. Even if I can’t articulate what’s going on in words, I can always figure it out with my songwriting. This is extremely gratifying. I also love connecting with other people through my music. One of my favorite things is playing with my band. There’s this unspoken synergy that we share from working together and it’s pretty much the greatest feeling in the world!
I also love performing live. I love talking to people at my shows– sometimes people will tell me how much they relate to my songs, or maybe they’re going through something similar to me, and I love how music connects us in that way.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
A few years ago I went to the ENT to get my throat examined as I had been losing my voice frequently, and had developed a bit of vocal fatigue. I learned that I had a vocal weakness and pseudo-cyst, as well as some other vocal health issues. I was really scared because I didn’t know what the future would look like, and obviously I was doing a lot of singing and performing (I was preparing to release my debut album). I had to re-learn how to sing correctly with the help of my amazing vocal teacher. I also worked with a speech therapist and vocal therapist to learn some tools and technique exercises to help strengthen my vocal weakness and try to eliminate/shrink the cyst. This involved several doctors visits, follow-ups, procedures and a lot of time resting my voice. I was also considering the possibility of surgery, which requires a lengthy recovery period (and thus, would mean not being able to work/sing). I got through it, strengthened my vocal folds, and now my voice is in such a better place. I haven’t lost my voice in years at this point, and I feel so much healthier with the way that I sing, having developed a better understanding of how to use my voice!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sophiecoran.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophiecoran/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sophiecomusic
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-coran-aba4162a/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/sophiecoran
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sophiecoran
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/sophie-coran
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/60xnFDb5KhRaTUS9liYHld?si=C7H2owQ5QEKLv-Pf3XEz2g
Image Credits
Rachel Del Sordo + Mochi Robinson