‘The First Lady of Trance’ – Armin Van Buuren
‘The UK’s Foremost Female Trance Producer’ – DJ Mag
Sophie Sugar is one of the shining stars of the global trance scene. An established international DJ in her own right and making waves around the world as a talented and exciting producer, it is easy to see where this young lady is heading.
2010 has seen Sophie travel across the globe with tours of Australia, America, Argentina and India as part of their Gatecrasher Global Soundsystem Tour as well as celebrating the 1 year anniversary of her ever-growing ‘Symphony’ radio show. Armin’s incredible ‘Lost Together’ mashup has blown up around the globe and Sophie’s incredible new track ‘All For You’ is due for release soon on ASOT, closely followed by ‘Skyline’ and 2 very exciting collaborations.
With her own distinct brand of driving, uplifting trance – both in her productions and DJ sets – Sophie Sugar plays a very exciting part in the worldwide trance scene.
SOPHIE SUGAR INTERVIEW
- Beatsmedia:
Hi Sophie, It’s great to finally get around to interviewing you! Hows things going for you at present?
- Sophie Sugar:
Hi Rachel – thanks! Great to be in touch and do this! I’m doing really well thanks – I’ve just returned from a trip to the White Isle, which was my first break in a very long time so feeling pretty chilled!! :-)
- Beatsmedia:
Can you tell everyone back at home where the first inspiration towards music came from?
- Sophie Sugar:
Sure! I’ve always been a music lover for as long as I can remember. I was glued to Top of the Pops at the age of 3 and I bought my first record at the age of 6 (although not sure I’d want to admit what that was – ha ha!) I’ve always been moved by music with emotion – whether it’s uplifting or even really sad – as long as it makes me feel an extreme emotion. This could be film soundtracks, love songs, classical music, musicals, pop, rock, dance – anything. My mum was definitely an influence as she is a huge music lover and we’d always have anything from Michael Jackson to Vivaldi to Van Morrison playing at home!
- Beatsmedia:
What kind of music could we find mini ‘Sophie’ listening and dancing to as a child?
- Sophie Sugar:
Ha ha – Michael Jackson and Madonna were definitely my 2 faves – any of their tracks from around this time – Man in the Mirror, Smooth Criminal, Dirty Diana, Holiday, Papa Don’t Preach, Borderline – all of them! And loads of one off tracks like ‘Everybody Wants to Rule The World’ by Tears for Fears, ‘Take on Me’ by Aha – I could go on and on. I was also slightly obsessed with ‘Ice Ice Baby’ for a number of years! (I know!)
- Beatsmedia:
Do you feel any of those artists have influenced your sound today?
- Sophie Sugar:
Yes – for sure – although probably not Vanilla Ice ! I wouldn’t say one artist in particular but generally speaking I would always prefer the more emotional tracks from each artist and these were part of what shaped my overall taste. I used to watch a lot of films and loved the soundtracks to ET, Star Wars and many others even at a really young age – these were definitely a huge influence.
- Beatsmedia:
How did your parents feel about your chosen career path?
- Sophie Sugar:
They’ve always been very supportive. My mum loves trance and actually bought my first set of decks for me! And my dad is very laid back and wants me to do whatever makes me happy. When I was growing they did kind of hope I would go into law or another profession but they accept that that’s just not me!
“I think all artists take inspiration from other music around them.” – Sophie Sugar
- Beatsmedia:
Where did you have your very first gig, how do you feel you preformed and how much have you changed over the years when setting up for the ‘big event’?
- Sophie Sugar:
It was a night called ‘Dolly Mixers’ at the Escape Club in Brighton. I’d only been playing for 4 months and I was terrified! I couldn’t speak on the journey down from London to Brighton and, looking back, didn’t have a clue what I was doing! But as soon as I played my first track i relaxed and absolutely loved every minute from then onwards!Nowadays I’m pretty relaxed before an event but it’s taken a while to get here – I used to get really nervous before every gig!
- Beatsmedia:
‘First lady of Trance’, can you tell us more about this status, how did it come about exactly?
- Sophie Sugar:
Ha ha – well, i’m still not 100% sure myself to be honest! I think it was a combination of Armin saying it on his radio show and DJ Mag in a review of one of my tracks – and kind of spread from there!
- Beatsmedia:
Which artist you have met within your career do you feel muses you the most?
- Sophie Sugar:
Oooh, good question. I really don’t know – i meet lots of up and coming DJs and producers that have perhaps been inspired by certain tracks – but i think all artists take inspiration from other music around them.
- Beatsmedia:
Name one producer you would like to work alongside?
- Sophie Sugar:
My dream would be to spend a few days in the studio with a film score composer – either Thomas Newman or Hans Zimmer would be incredible – and create a cinematic trance masterpiece! In fact, just to watch these guys at work would be an amazing experience in itself.
- Beatsmedia:
Can you tell us how much your studio has changed over the years, and what is your most used piece of equipment?
- Sophie Sugar:
At the moment i use a G5 Mac with Logic 8 – although planning to switch to 9 v soon – and i also have both Logic and Ableton on my Macbook pro laptop which is my world and i’d be lost without. I often do my radio show on the road and love writing music on long plane journeys.
- Beatsmedia:
There are so many upcoming producers out there at the moment, all working really hard and trying to become ’something special’, can you give them any pointers of how they should be presenting themselves, and what you feel the ‘bigger label’ is looking for from them?
- Sophie Sugar:
I think it’s really important to be known for a particular sound – find what works for you and stick to it – at least until you’ve built your name to a point where you’re able to try other things. Labels are looking for a recognisable and consistent sound from their artists.I’d also say make sure your first major release is where you want to be in terms of sound and quality even if this means taking a bit more time and if you’ve put loads of work into an incredible first track to make sure that the follow up lives up to it :-)
- Beatsmedia:
You’ve produced some absolutely stunning tracks over the years, and ‘Lost together’ to name one has been given masses of support, can you tell me where the inspiration comes from when producing and how do you get yourself in to the zone if you will?
- Sophie Sugar:
Aaah, thank you! I’ve loved making all of them! I tend to spend a long time on each track as i’m a bit of a perfectionist – sometimes way too much time! ‘Lost Together’ is actually Armin’s mashup of my track ‘Together’ and Sunlounger’s ‘Lost’ – Armin originally just made it for his sets but decided to release it when it gained a lot of support.Inspiration for me just depends completely on my mood – i can go for weeks without writing anything and then suddenly feel so inspired and have melodies going around and around in my head – usually when i’m feeling either really happy or really sad. I usually grab my laptop and lose myself for hours and hours on end – it’s the one time where i never want to stop for a drink, food or anything – i’m just completely ‘in the zone’!
- Beatsmedia:
Tell us a little more about the ‘SYMPHONY’ sessions, what style of track makes it in to your tracklist?
- Sophie Sugar:
Sure! Well it’s actually getting tougher every month because there are more and more incredibly talented producers out there. So, i tend to look for something special in each track – a hugely uplifting melody, beautiful strings, a powerful, uplifting riff – something that makes it stand out.Sometimes the production of a track may not be 100% perfect but the melody may be so beautiful that i’ll still play it – this is the most important element of the show.
- Beatsmedia:
What can we find Sophie doing on her days off?
- Sophie Sugar:
Well – i’m finding it hard to remember what a ‘day off’ is at the moment! (other than the few days i’ve just had in Ibiza actually – ha ha!) You’d probably find me catching up with my family and friends – i miss them loads when im on the road so try and see as much of them as possible whenever i can.I’m also really interested in all things psychic and love watching films and going to my classes at the gym dancing around to cheesy 80’s euro-trance remixes!
- Beatsmedia:
Can you think of one location that describes your personality the most?
- Sophie Sugar:
I don’t know if it describes my personality but one of my favourite locations is Ibiza. I spent 4 summers there and have a real affinity with the place – it’s just non-stop good times! I love the open-minded, totally relaxed attitude and and slightly spiritual feel to the island.There is one moment i will always remember arriving in Ibiza on the ferry from Barcelona – it was around 5am, the sky was a beautiful dusky, lilac colour, the lights in Ibiza Town were shining away and Seal’s ‘Kiss from a Rose’ was playing on the outside deck. Everyone was just sat in silence taking in the moment. Amazing.
- Beatsmedia:
One location you would most like to live?
- Sophie Sugar:
Believe it or not, I actually love living in England! I love to travel and see other places but always love coming home :-)
“My new track ‘All For You’ will be coming out soon on A State of Trance followed by ‘Skyline’” – Sophie Sugar
- Beatsmedia:
‘Gatecrasher India Tour’ sounds intriguing, can you tell us more about this?
- Sophie Sugar:
Sure! I went out recently to play 3 dates for Gatecrasher’s Global Sound System Tour – one in Goa, one in Bangalore and one in Mumbai. It was a bit of a whirlwind tour – 3 cities in 3 days but very eye opening and incredible to finally catch a glimpse of India. I definitely hope to see a lot more.
- Beatsmedia:
How do you prepare for big events, do you have any special rituals to get you pumped up?
- Sophie Sugar:
I try out new tracks at home during the week and always plan out a rough set – obviously this tends to vary on the night – but i’ll always at least have an outline of what i’m doing. On the night i like to arrive an hour or so before my set to get a feel for the crowd and get hyped up before getting on the decks :-)
- Beatsmedia:
What has been your favourite event so far and can you remember any funny moments?
- Sophie Sugar:
There have been sooo many amazing events but i think it would have to be ‘Buenos Aires Trance 2′ which was in May of this year in Argentina. The Argentinian crowd rocks when it comes to trance at the best of times but this event was just awesome. It was in a football stadium and packed full, fab set up and stage – just loved it! Other than this the Monday Bar Cruise was also amazing last year and the H20 open air NYE festival in Johannesburg. And, yes many funny moments!A guy in his own little world playing a guitar along to my set on the middle of the dance floor, a full fashion show suddenly taking place in the middle of my set with no prior warning, a group of clubbers playing a game of almost naked twister, signing various body parts – the list goes on. And that’s just inside clubs, many more tales from on the road!
- Beatsmedia:
What do you have in store for us in 2010?
- Sophie Sugar:
Lots! The trance scene is in a really good place right now and i’ve loved this year so far! I’ve played in America, India, Argentina and am heading off for a tour of Australia very soon which i’m really looking forward to. ‘Symphony’ recently had it’s 1 year anniversary and i’m looking forward to continuing to build the show. My new track ‘All For You’ will be coming out soon on A State of Trance followed by ‘Skyline’ and two v exciting collaborations. More news on those to follow v soon!
- Beatsmedia:
If you could share a special message to all those fans / friends and close companions who have helped you within your career, what would you like to say to them?
- Sophie Sugar:
There’s so much i’d like to say – the support i’ve had over the last few years has been unbelievable and has really made the world of difference on a day to day basis – it just makes me really happy to know that people are enjoying the music :-) I’ll keep making it for as long as people want to keep listening! Thank You! X
- Beatsmedia:
Where can everyone keep themselves updated about everything Sophie Sugar?
- Sophie Sugar:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/djsophiesugar
Web: http://www.sophiesugar.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/djsophiesugar
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/sophiesugar
- Beatsmedia:
And lastly when are we meeting up for a girlie shopping session?
- Sophie Sugar:
Sounds fab!!! Just name the date! ;-)
- Beatsmedia:
Thanks for taking part in this interview today Sophie, all the best for 2010 and onwards! ;)
Podcast: http://sophiesugar.podomatic.com/
Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/sophiesugar
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