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- We’re super-excited to be speaking today with acclaimed singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Sophie Galpin who is perhaps best known by her far-famed nom de plume, SOFT LAD; greetings and salutations, Sophie! Before we dive into the proverbial Q&A mosh-pit, how is the freshly-minted autumn of 2023 treating you?
Hello! So nice to be talking to you, thanks for having me! I’m good thanks, I’m talking to you from an Seattle airport, I’ve just finished up a tour playing with The Breeders and am flying back to London today.
- Major congratulations on your amazing new SOFT LAD single Least Of My Worries! What inspired this gem of a tune?
Thanks so much! I wrote the lyrics and melody for the chorus when I was out on one of my sad little daily covid walks – I’d been listening to my friend Katie Malco’s amazing album ‘Failures’ and was feeling very emo and inspired – I was getting really frustrated with the repetitive nature of the pandemic and was feeling flat and like every day was blurring into one. I wrote the lyrics down and recorded a voice note of the melody and then put it over the guitar which I’d had in the bank for a little bit.
- What made Least Of My Worries the perfect choice as a single to lead off your upcoming November 2 EP Give It A Go? Is this ditty representative of the EP as a whole?
I think the five-song EP is quite eclectic – there’s a really unapologetic pop song on there, there’s a pop-punk vibe – I’ve been playing Least Of My Worries live for a while and it always goes down well, lots of people had been asking me about it after shows.
- Speaking of that forthcoming EP: What can you tell our ever-inquisitive readers about your new EP Give It A Go which is set to make its star-studded debut this November 2? Has this been a long time in the making?
It’s full of gay feelings, big choruses, pop hooks, love, a bit of shade and plenty of vocal ad-libs.
- How is Least Of My Worries similar to some of your past music such as The Human Condition? How is it different?
I guess it all sounds like me – there’s not too radical departures but I guess Least Of My Worries is a bit more melancholy despite being upbeat. I do feel like most of my songs have a melancholy edge even when they’re really upbeat bangers.
- Incantation Records is releasing the brilliant Give It A Go EP. What makes Incantation the perfect home for you and your music?
I love the folks at Incantation, I’ve been working with them from the beginning and they’re doing great things in Manchester.
- Who was your producer on the new single and EP and what did the collaboration between producer and artist look like in the studio?
My amazing producer is called CECIL and he is the best ever. We have such a great working relationship – he knows how to get the best out of my ideas and sprinkle things on top to make it totally magic. We have the right balance of trust where I can hear his ideas and they’re usually amazing, but he also doesn’t push back if I really say no to something.
- In the wake of the October 19 release of Least Of My Worries and the November 2 release of Give It A Go, can fans look forward to catching you on the touring/performing circuit?
Yes! I have a little four date tour in November in London, Manchester, Brighton and Birmingham. Get your tickets on my website at softladbangers.com!
- Speaking of things to look forward to, can we look for an LP release from you in 2024?
TBC! I hope to do a lot of writing next year so we’ll see…
- In your humble opinion, what differentiates Least of My Worries and Give It A Go from the Distinguished Competition on the 2023 music scene?
Great question. I think it maybe it has a maturity about it due to me being in my 30s than some of the younger artists? But I’m still moaning about the same old shit so perhaps not! I really am inspired by the songwritership of the big 90s pop writers – Max Martin, Cathy Denis etc.
- At the end of the day, what do you hope listeners walk away with after giving the new single and EP many-a-spin on their trusty hi-fi systems?
Well firstly this is a great point – listen to it on headphones or a good speaker but for the love of god not out your phone speaker! CECIL and I put it together painstakingly! Hopefully they’ll take away the sentiment of the title of the EP – ‘Give It A Go’ – that’s what I’m doing with SOFT LAD – I’m doing exactly what I want and just seeing how it goes without worrying too much about what’s going to happen. I hope other people feel inspired to go after what they want and be brave!
