After breaking through with her incredible debut single 'Here To Stay' earlier this year, Hamburg-based New Yorker Sone is back once again to deliver her vibrant new offering 'Happy'.
Bringing back more of that broad and innovative alt-pop aesthetic she is quickly earning a reputation for, 'Happy' makes for an incredibly rich and emotive listen. With her sweeping vocals spread across a shimmering production from start to finish, she continues to shine as one of the more exciting names on the rise right now.
So with the new single doing the rounds, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has been inspiring her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
When I was growing up, my grandfather played the violin, so I was really curious about that. I thought it was so beautiful, not just to listen to but to look at. I took some lessons in elementary school but I didn’t love playing it as much as watching others play it.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I loved listening to Russian music (I’m half Russian, my mother is from Moscow) and I just loved Russian folk songs and music from cartoons. I was also really influenced by my dad, who put on a lot of classic rock. Also, Jim Croce, I will not make any excuse to talk about my love for Jim Croce.
What was the first album you remember owning?
I am pretty sure it was a Hannah Montana album… I remember sitting in the car with my DVD player and headphones blasting Hannah Montana and singing along while my parents were listening to something completely different and getting frustrated with me.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Somebody to Love by Queen. For sure.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I never really sit down and think, “Okay, it’s time to write a song now”, usually what happens is that a phrase or line will pop up in my head and I write it down. If I’m really feeling it, I just keep writing and I end up with a poem that I add melody to later. Rarely but still sometimes the melody and lyrics come at the same time. And not often at all does the melody come before I put lyrics to it. I think that above anything I am a lyricist.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
There is a band called Sammy Rae and the Friends, I absolutely love them. I’ve also been listening to Willow and Noga Erez. Lorde, Billie Eilish, Sza and Yebba.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Noga Erez or Sza.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Connecting with people, whether it’s while performing or on social media, I love how music can affect people in such a positive way and I love being a part of that.
And what is the most frustrating part?
There are a lot of ups and downs. I have moments of inspiration but also moments of self-doubt and sadness, but to be honest I’d take the frustration of being a musician any day over not doing what I love.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Taking critique and advice from others is always good, but at the end of the day, you should do what you want to do and do what feels right and makes you happy. I really want to do my best, and grow and learn through each song, but one can't make everyone happy and take every person’s advice.
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Sone's new single 'Happy' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.