Today we’d like to introduce you to Sophia Knapp.
Sophia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
To take us way back, my mother is a classical pianist, so I took form as a human bathed in beautiful melodies and vibrations. I was born in San Francisco’s Haight Ashbury district. I had a colorful childhood and started making visual art and music early.
I moved to New York when I was 18 to study drawing at The Cooper Union, and started a psychedelic folk/rock band called Lights during this time. I feel lucky to have been a part of what was a musical renaissance happening in Williamsburg in the 2000s, and made creative connections that inspire me to this day. Lights toured all over the place and released albums on Drag City records. We were wild and free and very out there.
My relationship with Tarot started in 2008. Clairvoyance – the ability to tap into non-local consciousness and perceive information beyond the traditional confines of space and time – runs in my family, and I have always had an interest in the mystic arts. I was wowed by the beautiful imagery and symbolic complexity of the Tarot, and I fell in love with it. I practiced reading on friends, and people extending beyond my circle started seeking me out for sessions, so I started charging money. My lifestyle was peripatetic; I was touring and bouncing back and forth between Brooklyn, Austin, and San Francisco, so Tarot consultations were and are a fulfilling way for me to support myself financially in conjunction with my other projects and travels.
My debut solo album Into The Waves came out in 2012. Since then I have released a stream of singles- most recently, Desert Moon and Song, two tracks recorded in Stockholm in collaboration with the Swedish band Dungen. I’m looking forward to sharing lots of music in 2023. Dominic Thomas of UK band Whyte Horses and I made a concept album called Cowgirl In Sweden that will be released later this year, and an EP that I recorded with my LA-based band led by Oliver Roman called Dancing on Ashes will also be coming out. I’m currently in the studio working on a new album, too. I had surgery on my nose a couple of years ago to improve my breathing, so I’m able to sing with more ease and airflow. It’s liberating. I have this new and improved instrument, and I’m healthier than I ever have been, so I’m delighting in making things these days.
On the esoteric front, I’m teaching online Tarot courses with The DEN Meditation, reading at events for companies such as Netflix, Soho House, and Meta, and I’m planning to start a YouTube channel with weekly readings. I am honored to get to connect with so many people and to have the opportunity to continue to explore the magic of divination. My clients’ trust means the world to me. Witnessing positive changes in people’s lives due to their own actions supported or motivated by the guidance that comes up in their readings makes me so happy. Tarot and my other psychic work has enriched my life with the gift of meeting so many people that I wouldn’t otherwise come into contact with; at this point I have read for thousands of people, and have clients all over the world of diverse ages, histories, and attitudes.
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?
It certainly has NOT been a smooth road, but to quote Jane Birkin, who wants an easy life? It’s boring! I have had many obstacles to my success and well-being, both external and internal. The complexity of the music industry, its built-in inequities and transformations regarding streaming and social media have been taxing to navigate. Running my business day-to-day also requires a level of focus and discipline that doesn’t come naturally to me. I’m a turtle in a world made for rabbits. I have also struggled with depression, unhealthy relationships, and other personal issues that can crop up no matter what line of work you’re in. I’ve found that minding my own conduct, being less concerned with the affairs and opinions of others, and tending to my physical, mental, emotional, and financial health has been the key to getting through the turbulent times that inevitably arise.
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?
Musically, I sing, play guitar, and write songs. For live performances, I go full-stop with stage looks and makeup. I put a lot of love into my lyrics and arranging vocal harmonies.
Mystically, I offer clairvoyant Tarot and Astrology consultations and teach workshops and courses, primarily online. I also read at events and collaborate on social media content with brands. Every reader has a unique way of delivering information – mine is quite relaxed and I like to think, warm. I want people to feel comfortable, and to welcome to actively participate in their sessions.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Oof. Ha ha ha. I think the most important lesson that I have learned along the way is that nobody is going to save me. The areas in my life where I have held myself accountable and put forth effort are the areas that I have seen blossom. Collaborators, friends and lovers show up like angels (they have in the past and will continue to – I have faith), but it’s not on them to bring me happiness or make things happen for me. The times I have placed too much emphasis or unrealistic expectations on a partnership, I have been disappointed, and in some cases even felt resentful when things didn’t turn out the way I imagined they would. This cycle is avoidable.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.sophiaknapp.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophiaknapp/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sophiaxknapp
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/sophiaxknapp
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/sophiaknappmusic/
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/sophiaknapp
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3p0C8VjKn6BHxKNZfh21I6
Image Credits
© Shane McCauley (the candlelight photo, and main photo that I uploaded) © Candice Lawler (for photo of me wearing the white cape). Thanks!
