{"id":280420,"date":"2023-09-07T14:40:11","date_gmt":"2023-09-07T06:40:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/singapore\/?p=280420"},"modified":"2024-03-11T19:26:44","modified_gmt":"2024-03-11T11:26:44","slug":"sope-interview-singapore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thehoneycombers.com\/singapore\/sope-interview-singapore\/","title":{"rendered":"Crafting from the heart and staying grounded: What inspires Singapore artist Sope\u2019s music endeavours"},"content":{"rendered":"

With her hearty laugh and sharp wit, you\u2019d never expect Sope<\/a> (real name Sophia Petra Lee) to be an introvert at first glance. Conversations with her are fluid; she finds pockets of opportunity to segue into new topics of interest. However, tucked away under her charismatic front is a passionate personality, with emotions that run intensely within her core. As part of our Honey Unplugged series<\/a>, we get intimate with local musicians<\/a> and discover more about their journey. This time, we have Singapore singer-songwriter Sope sharing her deeply personal writing process and journey with us.<\/p>\n

The Covid-19 driven pursuit<\/h3>\n
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Photography: Nicholas Lee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Becoming a musician was an aspiration that always sat in the back of her mind. However, 15-year-old Sope\u2019s attempts at songwriting often led to many unfinished projects. She jokingly chalks it up to a lack of life experiences and trauma, laughing it off. With real-life priorities taking hold of her time, the musician parked her dreams aside in favour of survival. That is, until Covid-19 hit.<\/p>\n

Stuck within the confines of her home in 2020, Sope found herself turning back to a not-so-long-lost love. Using it as an avenue to vent, the musician dealt with isolation the best way she knew how. The lockdown gave the two plenty of time to reconnect, and it led Sope down the musical path that she had always dreamed about. After producing five experimental tracks, she began creating more elaborate songs for public release. Now 28, she\u2019s since produced a multitude of singles and even an EP, with a full length album of songs on the way.<\/p>\n

A treasure trove of musical inspiration<\/h3>\n
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Photography: Nicholas Lee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As we chat in the middle of the very busy Haji Lane<\/a> (her meet-up location of choice), I ask Sope why this street is so significant to her. She reveals that it serves as a place of inspiration. In a moment of late-night reflection, she tells me about the epiphanic experience of coming to terms with moments, emotions, and people that are incredibly important to her. \u201cThat turned into the spark for my music. Which then turned into a forest fire,\u201d she laughs.<\/p>\n

But I\u2019d say forest fire is an apt description of her passion. Her efforts and ardour can be seen throughout each step of the creative process. As an avid learner, Sope dedicated time to experimenting with different instruments including the violin and piano. Her lyricism is also done with an incredible amount of intention. A writer by trade, she takes care to craft songs with significance, as words carry weight and can make or break a musical experience.<\/p>\n

Sope feels deeply, and constantly leaves a piece of herself in her music. Her first-ever single, Diabetes<\/a>, created with fellow local talent Amanda Ong, is a great example of that. Both diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, the singers poured their emotions into a cathartic songwriting experience. In spite of its cheery upbeat melody, the song is a reflection of their daily lives and varying struggles living with the condition. Although the subject matter is unconventional and niche, it\u2019s hardly a hurdle in Sope\u2019s fervent pursuit of ingenuity.<\/p>\n

The first fruits of First Fruits<\/h3>\n