Life & Work with Sofija

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sofija.

Hi Sofija, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in Portland, OR, within a family of musicians. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been making music in some capacity, whether I was playing around on the piano or writing short poems that I’d learn to turn into songs eventually. I absolutely attribute the cultivation of this passion to my parents and their willingness to foster my creativity and support my dreams. I hated taking piano lessons as a child, so my mom took me out of them and encouraged me to learn it by myself. I think this was the best thing she’s ever done for me because it forced me to play by ear and enabled creativity in my songwriting process. The only classical/theory-based training I’ve had thus far is from taking choir in high school, picking up some tips and tricks from my mom while she taught voice lessons in our home and the guitar lessons I am currently taking. I definitely hope to learn more in the future though; I’d love to explore more formal teaching. That being said, I moved to Los Angeles to attend Loyola Marymount University, and I did not major in any musical field. I studied Communication Studies and Sociology and focused on interning at different companies within the music industry to learn as much as I could about the business side of things. During my senior year, I released my first single and have continued to release music ever since!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road, but I am grateful for that. I’ve undergone some difficult experiences, both personally and professionally in my life thus far, and I can only imagine the other things that will inevitably come my way that will continue to challenge me. In terms of my career, I’ve had a very DIY approach, and I continue to go about things that way. I am my own team right now, so it’s been a challenge to learn and execute all the things it takes to make this my career. Whatever I can’t do, I outsource from a community of wonderful creative friends that I have, but I am coordinating everything on my own as of now. I definitely have not had one of those overnight success stories, which is totally fine! It’s still a process. I am gradually building and growing as an artist, and I’m still very new to the industry, so there is a lot of work to do. I think regardless, it makes the work I do feel really gratifying, and I have learned so much already.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a singer, instrumentalist, songwriter, and a very beginner producer. I would say my music lies mainly in the R&B genre. Some of my stuff has been a bit pop-leaning, but I am working on new songs that sound a little different. I am most proud of the music I’ve put out so far and the work I’ve done on my own to kick off this journey. I released my first song, “Right Next To You” in 2021, so you should check that out and my other tunes if you haven’t already! I have so many songs that are unreleased that I can’t wait to share, so I’m really just happy that I’ve created so much that captures all of my life experiences.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I love this question; I am a big podcast and book lady. I will read anything by Eckhart Tolle (my favorites are A New Earth and The Power of Now), and I love Don Miguel Ruiz’s The Four Agreements. I adore Jay Shetty and Glennon Doyle’s podcasts. Also, Maintenance Phase and You’re Wrong About are incredible.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sofijamusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sofijamusicofficial
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/sofijamusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ35oowDwVqZs0Uk8e-li9Q
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/sofijamusic

Image Credits
Hayden Blaz Tristan Willis Andrés Casanova Cassius Pettit