Sophie Auster

Photo Courtesy Of Sophie Auster 

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND RAISED AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
I was born and raised in Park Slope, Brooklyn, and I currently live downtown Manhattan.

WHAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR PRESENT CITY OR YOUR HOMETOWN?
New York is it’s own little country separate from the rest of America. It’s diverse, eccentric, and the place where people go to “be themselves”. It’s also been a positive atmosphere to be in post election since the whole city was in mourning together and came together in protest.

WHAT WERE YOUR INFANT ASPIRATIONS?
I wanted to be a singer and performer as early as eight years old.

WHAT HAS BEEN A PIVOTAL MOMENT?
A pivotal moment for me was discovering that I had the power to make things happen for myself. It sounds simple, but when I began my music career I had a lot of people telling me what to do and where to go. When the industry changed, I realized that no one had concrete advice for me and everyone was a bit lost. As a young person this can make you feel insecure and ungrounded. A moment came when I knew I had to push forward and trust my instincts. It was a moment of self-discovery and finding confidence.

WHY MUSIC?
A teacher encouraged me to sing and pursue music when I was just a little girl. Her confidence and faith in me helped me discover the thing that makes me happiest in life. I do it because I have to. If I was sensible I’d go into real-estate and make lot’s of money.

HOW WOULD YOU CLASSIFY YOUR SOUND?
My sound is eclectic. It draws from influences I grew up listening to including pop, blues, folk and jazz. I think what’s culminated is some kind of hybrid of those genres.

WHAT THEMES DO YOU PURSUE THROUGH YOUR LYRICS?
Dreams are very influential to me. I have a very vivid subconscious. Relationships, heartbreak, and also poetry and stories I invent. Everything and anything can be inspiring to me.

IS THERE A SONG OR MUSICAL PASSAGE THAT NEVER FAILS TO MOVE YOU EMOTIONALLY?
“Take It with Me” by Tom Waits.

WHAT OR WHO HAD THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOU?
I think my parents have been the greatest influence on me. They taught me how to be a serious artist and a moral compassionate person. I don’t think I’d be the woman I am today without them.

WHAT’S YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS?
It depends. Sometimes it starts with lyrics and other times I’ll pick up my guitar and start with a melody and lyrics will start to come to me. The one thing I can say, for sure, is that I have to be relaxed in order to create.

HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE?
Feminine with a boy’s touch.

HOW DOES YOU AESTHETIC TRANSLATE IN OTHER ASPECTS OF YOUR LIFE?
I like things to be beautiful around me. I have lots of books and personal artwork in my home. My instruments are out and I love to have flowers in the house as much as possible. I also like to cook for friends and family and create a warm inviting atmosphere. I’m very sensitive to my surroundings and I think that’s partly because of what I do.

HOW DO YOU GET STAGE READY ANY BEAUTY RITUALS YOU SWEAR BY?
I have a variety of suits I wear onstage. Each one makes me feel like I’m climbing into uniform and ready to take on the performance. It’s like wearing armor. It makes me feel confident. Then, I usually pin my hair in two buns, put red lipstick on, have a drink, and I’m ready to rock and roll.

HOW DO YOU SPEND A DAY OFF?
I like to be with my boyfriend and family. My parents and I are avid movies watchers, we have a tradition of dinner and movies at their home in Brooklyn.

HOW DO YOU RETURN TO CENTER?
I do yoga which helps me regain focus and slow down. I also tend to stay in and avoid alcohol if I’m stressed out. This helps me take on what I have to do without feeling overwhelmed.