photography by Daniela Spiroska
“My mom always jokes about me singing before I was even able to talk…” tells Sofia Karlberg in an interview. And even if to this day she is not quite sure if that was really the truth, music has become her destiny. Or in other words, her greatest love. The singer and songwriter, born to a Moroccan mother and a Swedish father, already had over one million subscribers on her Youtube channel at the age of 19.
Describing herself as a bit of a restless soul, the pandemic made her realize about always being on the run, with endless possibilites around each corner, but having a hard time to put two and two together and not really living in the present moment. The realization of all that and relocating from her home city Stockholm to Berlin had a great influence and impact not only on her life but also on her music and new EP.
“Hold My Love” is a wonderful journey into different genres, also influenced by her roots from Morocco. And it’s a journey into a world of love, life and passion. “I wanted to invite all the different parts of my new city into this EP, the darkness, the fun, the love but mainly the diversity. It’s such a weird and unique city with plenty room for everyone to be themselves in and I hope that this collection of songs can give you just that feeling, that there’s something for everyone, and that you’re all welcome into my world.”
Hey dear Sofia, so tell us a little bit about yourself first– like your musical beginnings and musical background?
Hello Sigi! I think my musical beginning started because of the music surrounding I had around me growing up. No one in my family does music professionally but there was always music playing in the house, everything from 70’s rock to traditional Moroccan music. Thankfully my parents parents nourished my interest for music from an early age with giving me piano lessons and getting me in to choirs and after that I guess it just felt natural to continue. I started writing songs and doing covers in my bedroom when I was 12 years old and that lead me to where I am today.
You said that „The journey of this EP started when I was contemplating what to do next, not only musically but in general with my life.” If I got that right, that was also related to the difficult years of the pandemic right? What were the most interesting answers that you gained for yourself and your life through working on your new music?
Before the pandemic hit I was travelling a lot and I think I didn’t really realize myself I was actually escaping. When that changed I learned I wasn’t living in the present before and that realization has made such a positive impact in my creative process. Since I was always on the run before, every corner of the world made me want to do so many different things and I had a hard time putting two and two together. I had to collect all of those pieces and turn it into one project instead which lead me to where I am today. I realized I didn’t have to choose between all of these different genres and styles I could just mix them all together in one.
“Before the pandemic hit I was travelling a lot and I think I didn’t really realize myself I was actually escaping.”
Which song on the EP was the hardest to finish and why?
I wouldn’t say any of the songs were particularly hard to finish but the process of Hold My Love was quite interesting. When I went into the studio with August (Discrete) and Tudor (TUSO) we were actually going to write a song to pitch for other acts and that’s how Hold My Love came alive. We sent it out to a bunch of people and when Lastlings had it on hold I actually decided I wanted to release it myself. The song felt so special immediately when we started writing it and it just didn’t feel right to give it away.
There are elements of your Moroccan roots in your topline melodies. Is your music also an attempt to unite your different roots and also process a sort of longing for your home that exists in different places and cultures?
Definitely! I am very proud of my origin and since the music I’m making is just an extension of who I am it wouldn’t make sense to do it differently I think that’s one of the most beautiful things about music – that it unites and brings different cultures together.
Why was moving from your hometown an important step for you and why did you chose Berlin?
Like I mentioned before I’ve always been a very restless soul who can’t really stay in one place for too long. I kind of always knew I wasn’t going to stay in Stockholm forever so it really was just a matter of time before I actually left. When I first came to Berlin I felt at home at very first second I got here. I just loved the diversity here, It’s such a weird and unique city with plenty room for everyone to be themselves in and that’s why I love it so much.
“I think that’s one of the most beautiful things about music – that it unites and brings different cultures together.”
What has been the most challenging thing for you starting your life in a new place?
Definitely the language barrier!! It’s quite hard to get around here if you don’t speak German. I’m slowly but surely getting into it so hopefully I’ll be able to speak some German soon!
So, I read that your EP represents your past, experiences, present feelings and future awareness. So tell me, what was your biggest dream as a child? What do you currently love most about your life? And where do you see yourself in about 5 years?
I think I have the same answer to all 3 of these questions actually. Making music and create in one way or another for the rest of my life has always been the goal. I’m open to all the different paths life will lead me on and I know things in most cases never really turn out how you plan it. I am very grateful to be able to make music every day. To be able to do what I do now in a bigger scale and to just collect as much knowledge and experience as possible has always been the goal!
Anything else you really want people to know about you?
I know how to yoddel (laughs)
Listen to the EP here: “Hold My Love”
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