Life & Work with Sophia Zamani of Malibu

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sophia Zamani

Hi Sophia, 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 was put in piano classes when I was 5, but I always wanted to play guitar! My parents let me take guitar lessons as long as I kept up the piano lessons (I hated piano at the time). And so I took both and over time I started singing, and then eventually writing music. Fun fact- my voice was not always good. I used to suck at singing, but I just loved it so so much. I sang until I developed my voice. I eventually fell back in love with piano and am so grateful to have taken lessons for so long. I kept my original music to myself for a long time, like years and years, until one day I wrote a song that I really connected with and wanted to share. Since that day I haven’t looked back. Now it’s the end of 2024 and I am so grateful to have met so many amazing people in the industry who have helped me get to where I am both as an artist and a person. This was the year of my first major festival and the year of my debut album. It’s been amazing.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There’s so much to navigate in the industry, but I love the journey. I remember my first rehearsal with a band for my first live show and I had my struggles consdering I had only ever played alone. It’s crazy to me looking at the progress and my confidence from my first show to now.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a country singer/songwriter who has incorporated other elements into my music (such as folk and rock). My music has definitely evolved into this genre over time.

I just recorded my debut album “Shelter from the Rain” at Blackbird Studios in Nashville. It was such an incredible experience and the feeling of creating music with people who love the process as much as you do is the best. It’s just awesome.

I played my first major festival in May of this year which was Bottlerock Napa Valley and debuted my album live at Aviator Nation Dreamland in Malibu (which was actually where I performed my first ever show just last year). Bottlerock is definitely what I’m most proud of because I played 3 sets. My main set on the biggest stage I’ve played on yet, another set at another stage, and a JaM Cellars afterparty. It was such a rush!

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My biggest mentor and the first person besides my family and friends that I ever shared my music with is Ron Aniello, who is Bruce Springsteen’s producer. He has believed in me from the very beginning and always saw something in my music. I am so lucky to have someone to go to with any question about music or the industry. He’s just the best. Also, my family are the absolute best cheerleaders. Whether it’s flying out for my shows, or going with me to Nashville, they are always making sure I feel the most supported I possibly could. My friends also fly out for my shows and know every lyric to every song. They are the best.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sophiazamani.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophiazamani/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkSJ5b2C7nSyu5pfx5srTSw

Image Credits
Caity Krone

Liam Stewart