SOPHIE MAY: “I PRIDE MYSELF ON GIVING THINGS MY ALL WHEN I COMMIT”

VOCAL GIRLS chat to Sophie May about her debut EP, literary inspirations, and her first run of live shows.

Known for her confessional style, London-based singer songwriter Sophie May has just released her debut EP, ‘You Do Not Have To Be Good’. Having always been a lover of storytelling and poetry, lockdown inspired Sophie May to delve into songwriting. She gained traction after accumulating an invested following on TikTok, where she consistently posted clips of short songs. Her new EP fits this mould of relatable, honest and cathartic lyricism, in a beautiful blend of indie-pop and folk.

How would you introduce yourself?

Hey I’m Sophie May, and I’m a singer/songwriter 

Where are you from?

South London 

When and how did you first start making music?

I started writing slam poems when I was 13, but I only started getting into songwriting when I was around 19

How would you describe your music in three words?

Nostalgic, story telling, (occasionally) comedic 

How long has You Do Not Have To Be Good been in the works?

Just over a year now!

What have you been up to around the release of You Do Not Have To Be Good?

Posting online, writing new songs and getting into the live performance side of things.

Have you got a soft spot for a particular track on the EP?

Definitely ‘Some Italian Mountain’. It leans into my folky side, and feels a little more personal than some of my other tracks. 

What was the first track you decided would go on the EP, and why did it feel right to do so?

‘With The Band’ always felt like my first really ‘strong’ song. When I wrote it at the end of lockdown it seemed like the first time I’d written something that had some kind of substance. The message felt important, so it only felt right for it to be my introduction into the music world.

You recently put out the music video for ‘Drop In The Ocean’, which is charming and funny but I’m sure also painfully relatable for a lot of people, how did you go about putting it together?

I usually create my videos quite off the cuff. I’m quite lyric-heavy so the narrative for the video came relatively easy. But otherwise, it’s always a lot of trial and error, filming lots of different bits and finding what works. 

Who would you say are your main musical influences at this point in time?

I’ll always have a soft spot for Lana Del Rey, as well as Joni Mitchel and Laura Marling. But currently I’ve been re-listening to a lot of Eliott Smith. Usually whatever I’m listening to will creep its way into my new songs. 

You have said that the title of your EP is a quote from Mary Oliver’s poem, ‘Wild Geese’, is this type of literary inspiration typical for you?

I would say so. I often find myself feeling heavily influenced by whatever media I’ve most recently digested. I’ll often write songs inspired by the books and poems I’ve read. There's something really refreshing about writing a song that isn't based on your own experience. 

Storytelling, books, and movies are so clearly such an important love of yours, if forced to choose, what would be your desert island book and film?

My desert island book would have to be Brokeback Mountian. And my film would be Reality Bites.

You have a few live shows coming up. Ranging from an intimate set at Hoxton’s Folklore to a support slot at Inhaler’s Roundhouse show, how are you feeling about these upcoming gigs?

I try to ignore the intrusive thoughts of me passing out on stage and try to look forward to the experience. I do love it once I’m up there, but being watched takes a bit of getting used to. 

Your social media platforms are particularly successful, when and why did you start using sites like TikTok as a musical outlet?

I started posting on TikTok out of boredom in lockdown. It was a great place to express my love of songwriting, especially as I had no friends or family following me on there. It felt like a safe space to grow in a low-pressure environment to showcase my vulnerability. 

These social accounts have documented you relentlessly creating and playing music, has this drive always been there, or did the time lockdown provided play a part?

I can't ignore the unique environment lockdown created for me. I’d never had so much confined free time. But I do like to pride myself on giving things my all when I commit. I decided to teach myself guitar at 19 so I reckon I have a certain amount of self-discipline (sometimes). 

At this moment, who would you consider to be your all-time favourite artist and what would your favourite track from them be?

That's a really hard question, but maybe Jeff Buckley’s Lilac Wine. He’s like the ultimate sad boy though so sometimes he annoys me. 

Are there any upcoming musicians around you who you feel particularly connected to or excited about?

I adore Jensen McRae’s lyricism. Her voice is so hauntingly powerful, I think she's amazing. I’d love to get the chance to write with her one day.

What has been your favourite moment in your career so far?

I think releasing my first song felt like a monumental moment. Especially as I had a year of build-up posting on social media. Once ‘With The Band’ was officially out it felt like this huge sigh of relief, that it was real and I wasn't just imagining it all. 

Out of all the things you have planned in the coming months, what are you most looking forward to?

My first headline show is something I’m really looking forward to. I can't wait to meet some of the people that have been supporting me from day one. I’m sure I’ll be ridiculously nervous, but I can't wait to play the new songs off the EP.  

Have you got any specific goals or wishes for yourself over the next year?

I think perfecting a really good live show would be my biggest goal. It’s one thing writing a good song but getting comfortable on a stage is a whole other beast. But all of that comes with practice, so I’m looking forward to going through that learning process. 

You can listen to Sophie May’s debut EP ‘You Do Not Have To Be Good’ here: