Interview with Sophie Sugar
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
First question first. How does it feel being one of the few women producers in the EDM scene?
Hi there – good to be chatting! Sure! It’s just what I’m used to now! I’ve been doing this for a number of years and I don’t think it’s any more or less difficult than being a male actually – I guess there are some slight advantages and disadvantages but overall they balance each other out. Trance fans are very discerning so the music has to speak for itself. ‘On the road’ I’ve had to become used to hanging out with the guys as there are never any other females on the line up!!
It’s really difficult to make it as a successful woman DJ especially when EDM is still reaching other parts of the world. When did the fascination with knobs and production begin?
Ha ha, well I used to love going clubbing as a teenager and really enjoyed playing around on my friend’s decks at after parties etc. so this is where the fascination with the DJing side of things started. Production was a few years afterwards when I realized that I really needed to start turning my ideas into reality and had better try and learn how!
Your production "Fallen Too Far" was hugely supported by Armin van Buuren. The emotions and energy behind it was impeccable and it really became one of the best tunes of 2006. We want to run through the story behind this tune.
Aaah, thanks so much, really glad you like it! Well, I guess it ties in with the name – the track was pretty much finished but I felt like it needed something extra, a few words to give it some identity. As I listened to it I pictured being on the dance floor at 3 AM and completely losing myself in the moment – ‘falling too far’ into the music! And that was that! :-)
What’s Sophie Sugar’s music philosophy?
I’ve always loved music and been moved by music with emotion – whether it’s uplifting or even really sad – as long as it makes me feel an extreme emotion. This could be film soundtracks, love songs, classical music, musicals, pop, rock, dance – anything. I just think it’s incredible that music can alter your mood so dramatically and so quickly. It’s hugely powerful and a massive part of my life.
As a female DJ / Producer in the male dominated EDM scene, how do you draw the line with your productions? We’ve found your productions emotionally gratifying as well as banging too!
Aah, thank you!! Well for me the emotion / melody within each track is by far the most important element. I always write the main riff, pads and other melodic elements first and build the rest of the track around that. Obviously when making dance music the groove of the track is also very important but this is secondary for me. I wouldn’t be making music or DJing if it wasn’t for the beautiful melodies within trance!
Do you have any take on your recent India tour?
Yes, it was incredible to finally catch a glimpse of India and the people really were amazing – so welcoming and sweet – I did 3 cities in 3 days so as you can imagine it was a bit of a whirlwind but still managed to catch some sights and what I did see was very eye opening. It’s good to see that the trance scene is growing and I definitely hope to be back in the near future and play more cities. Oooh and had some delicious Indian food!
Here’s the odd one out. We have heard a crazy story of woman throwing up on a male DJ. What is the craziest experience you’ve had at any of your gigs?
Well luckily nothing along those lines – ha ha!!! But all sorts of other experiences. I’ve had a full fashion show suddenly taking place in the middle of my set with no prior warning, a group of clubbers playing a game of almost naked twister on the dance floor and been asked to sign various body parts – in fact, most recently in India I signed someone’s head!
Your radio show ‘Symphony’ has just completed a year. How difficult is it run a radio show and tour around the world at the same time?
I usually spend a fair bit of time on the show so if I’m touring on the same week it can be quite challenging time wise! When I was in Goa recently there were some problems with the broadband in my hotel so I spent two hours driving around little internet cafes having just flown in with no sleep trying to find a connection to get it uploaded in time! And the month before in Argentina spent half a day chasing around Buenos Aires looking for a microphone – ha ha!! But it’s all good – I lose myself for hours putting it all together and totally love doing it!
Tell us three classics that you always keep in CD case while at a gig? And three must-haves current ones!
Armin – Communication
Ralphie B – Massive
Temple One – Aurora (has already become a classic to me!!)
Current:
Luke Terry feat. Kerry Leva – Arpora (John O’Callaghan Remix)
Steve Allen – Second Rule
Masoud feat Laurie – Blinded (Sebastian Brandt Remix)
If you were converted into a song, which one would it be and why?
Ooh, good question! Well my mum always used to sing Van Morrison’s "Brown Eyed Girl" to me when I was younger so I’d probably have to pick this!
How are you planning to take on the future with your music? What advancements ongoing projects are happening with you?
Sure! I have two new tracks at the moment – "All For You" which will be out on ASOT soon followed by "Skyline" and two exciting collaborations that I’ll have more news on soon. Over the next year I’ll be doing a ‘Symphony’ compilation, continuing to build the radio show and starting work on an artist album. Other than this I plan to keep touring and hopefully to travel to lots of new and exciting areas :-)
Message for your fans.
Yes – thank you so much for all your support – I receive lovely messages from people in India on a weekly basis and they mean a lot to me! I intend to be back very soon! :-)
For more info related to Sophie Sugar check out the following links:
www.sophiesugar.com
www.myspace.com/sophiesugar
www.facebook.com/sophiesugar
www.twitter.com/djsophiesugar
