“I always write about my own experiences so sometimes the people I write them about don’t always like them… but all I say to that is either don’t date a songwriter or just don’t mess me over!” Dipping her quill into the inkpot of life, this refreshing candour also sets the tone for Sody‘s newest release, “Star Potential“, a power-packed pop journey steeped in acceptance, self-reflection, and life lessons. Here, Sody has turned her life’s tales into music, an exposition of raw emotions, and her personal philosophy of accepting life as it comes, however tumultuous it may be.
In the age of social media where truth is often adorned and authenticity may take a back seat, Sody values transparency and connection, allowing her fans a glimpse into her world beyond the highlights and the ‘perfect’ moments. As she expresses, “I’m not trying to pretend that my personal life and work life is all amazing at all. It’s important to me to be honest about my struggles because at the end of the day, we’re all human and go through the same things!”
Our conversation with Sody takes us on a journey through her creative process, her definitions of success and hard work, and why cutting her hair off was the best thing she could have ever done.
Photography by Jack Alexander
Styling by Lauren Croft
Makeup by Georgia Hope
Styling Assistants are Yazmin Johnson and Katia Nguyen
Sody, it’s been a busy year for you with so many releases. How do you manage to keep your creativity flowing?
Well, I actually wrote most of the songs on the EP in 2021 so it’s been a long time coming. Feels so liberating to have them finally out into the world. I hardly wrote any songs last year as I felt like I needed to live a bit more to get some inspiration so this year I have been writing lots! Even more music is on the way…
Congratulations to your new EP, “Star Potential”. How would you describe the overall theme and feel of this EP to your fans?
The overall theme of the EP is acceptance. Accepting who are. Accepting that shit happens and you just gotta deal with it! Accepting you’re actually better off without them. Accepting where you are now. Now it’s out, I feel like I can move on from those difficult times in the past and get on with my life!
What is the song you feel most connected to on the album, and why does it resonate with you so deeply?
I don’t want to choose! But if I had to, it would probably be The Nest. I guess because this one is the most personal as it is about my brothers. It’s an ode to them. When I was little and was writing songs, I have a vivid memory of them saying ‘stop singing in an American accent!’. In my defence I did grow up watching Hannah Montana! What they were really saying was ‘just be yourself!’. And that advice has stuck with me.
“The overall theme of the EP is acceptance. Accepting who are. Accepting that shit happens and you just gotta deal with it!”
Your music often carries very personal messages, are there any challenges in being so open and vulnerable in your songs?
I find it a lot easier to write about tough themes where I can fully open up and talk about my feelings. It definitely does come with its challenges though especially when the songs get released! I always write about my own experiences so sometimes the people I write them about don’t always like them… but all I say to that is either don’t date a songwriter or just don’t fuck me over!
In an earlier interview you’ve mentioned being a very dramatic person and that this quality has helped fuel your creativity. Can you elaborate more on how this trait of yours helps in your songwriting process?
I am quite dramatic. (laughs) I do go from 0 to 100 sometimes but I come back to 0 very quickly. I think it helps when I’m trying to write because I can draw inspiration from something so tiny, catastrophize the situation and turn it into a song. But then I do look back and think ‘that really wasn’t such a big deal!’. I do get music I love out of it though so that’s a win!
“Cutting my hair off was the best thing I could have ever done. Until I did it, I never realised how much of a crutch it was and actually how insecure I was as a person.”
You’ve also spoken about the misconception people often have about signing a record deal, saying that success still requires a lot of personal effort. Can you share more about the hard work that you’ve put in behind the scenes?
I think it’s a natural thing when you sign a record deal to think ‘Oh this is me sorted now’. You get some money, you have a team of people working on your project and you feel like your career path is set. But nothing is ever guaranteed! Now I am an independent artist again, there are less opinions and there’s a lot less pressure. My team and I have worked really hard to make the EP and the visuals feel as authentic as possible and attention to detail has been extremely important to me. People define success differently but for me success is when songs I really care about resonate with people or things we have put a lot of effort into come to fruition.
As the youngest of six siblings, do you feel that your position in your family has influenced your music career?
Hmmm, I’m not sure! Being the youngest does have its perks. I guess maybe I was allowed a bit more freedom? My siblings made their mistakes, learned from them and passed their knowledge onto me! I do get some great advice. They all have ‘proper jobs’ and/or married with babies and dogs and then there’s me, the 22 year old, who sings songs about her breakups. (laughs) I feel there is less pressure on the baby of the family which is lucky for me!
I’ve also read that you’re a spiritual person. What does spirituality mean to you?
I don’t know much about all things spiritual but there are some sayings that I stick by. I know ‘everything happens for a reason’ is a bit cliché but it really does resonate with me! Whenever something doesn’t go exactly as planned I always just remind myself it’s part of the journey to get to where I want to be! That’s really helped me navigate the unpredictability of the music industry.
“I’m like an open book and maybe sometimes a bit too much of an oversharer… I’m not trying to pretend that my personal life and work life is all amazing at all.”
Considering your Instagram bio statement, “Being really honest is my thing”, how challenging do you find maintaining this authenticity in an era of social media where people often only share highlights or the ‘perfect’ moments of their lives?
In recent years, I really have tried to come across as authentic as possible. I’m like an open book and maybe sometimes a bit too much of an oversharer… Don’t get me wrong, I am still learning every day about who I am, but I think the more comfortable I am in my own skin and with my followers, the easier it is to use social media. I’m not trying to pretend that my personal life and work life is all amazing at all. It’s important to me to be honest about my struggles because at the end of the day, we’re all human and go through the same things!
Reflecting on your younger self, what do you think has been the most significant change in your music and style since you started?
My hair! I used to have it down to my bum! Cutting my hair off was the best thing I could have ever done. Until I did it, I never realised how much of a crutch it was and actually how insecure I was as a person. When you have short hair, you can’t hide. It started my journey of self acceptance and finding my sound. I don’t think my music has changed too much… I’ve just grown up! I always want to create songs that are raw and honest. It’s nice to have some more upbeat ones out though!
What is the most important thing in life for you?
Happiness. If what I’m doing doesn’t make me happy then I don’t want it!
