Sofia Talvik

Who is your musical inspiration?
I get inspiration from all sorts of stuff but musically I really like Aimee Mann, Neko Case and Tracy Chapman.

What made you want to become a singer?
It was something that just kind of happened. I got a guitar for my 18th birthday and started writing songs to learn how to play it. A few years later I sent in a demo tape to a radio show and thought they’d never pick it up but they did and it went to the top of the demo charts for several months. So then I just had to continue.

What do you love most about music?
They way it accentuates your feelings. Like if you’re happy and listen to a happy song it can make you bounce with joy but if you’re sad and listen to a sad song it can make you burst into tears.

Who/What is your favorite singer/band?
My constant favorite would have to be Aimee Mann but I’m also a fan of The Killers and lots of other bands.

Have you ever had a song that, no matter what, always cheers you up?
I can’t think of one right now. But “Heaven is a place on earth” with Belinda Carlisle is a song that I’ve loved since I was little.

What’s your favorite song on your new album?
Definitely “Jonestown”. That’s why I named the album after it.

What is your favorite place you’ve traveled to?
I love Thailand. I’ve been there several times and I’m just in love with the culture, the food and the beautiful beaches.

Sofia Talvik

If you weren’t a musician, what would you want to do with your life?
I actually have a day-job as a freelance Art Director. That was my first career and I still think it’s a great job. I can also incorporate it in my music career as I do all my own artwork for the albums and stuff.

As a musician, what about your art do you value the most?
I think that the times when I’m listening to my iPod and having it set on shuffle, and then one of my old songs, like from my first album, comes up I’m always like “hey, this sounds really good”. So I guess I would have to say that feeling good about my music in retrospective would be what I value the most. I’m never ashamed of anything I’ve done music vise.

Having released your third album, how different does it feel from the release of your first album?
The first album was really exciting to release and with my third album I’ve sort of gotten a hang of it. I don’t pay as much attention to bad reviews as I used to and I keep looking forward instead of pondering about what I could have done differently.

Many artists’ sound often progresses over several albums. Would you say your sound and feel of your music has progressed or changed?
I think so yes. The first album was recorded they way we played live, and we recorded most of the instruments at once. The second was more mature put together and the third is different because I’ve worked with a producer to help me develop the sound further. I also think this album is more pop than the previous.

In the future, do you think you’ll take your music in a new direction?
I will probably try, but my taste in music and the way I write songs will probably always color my albums. But then again, having your personal style is a good thing.

Is there a certain genre you would like to try out if ever given the chance?
I’ve had dreams about making a jazz album with a big band, like the 40s swing bands. I think that would be so much fun.

If you could describe your sound in a sentence, how would you describe it?
Transparent and ethereal with a touch of a tornado.

In all of your accomplishments as a musician, what are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of having done so well with my own, small label. To think that me and my husband have achieved so much success with just the work of our own minds and hands is amazing. There are artists that are signed to major labels that never get to do the stuff I did, so I’m really thankful and proud to have been able to do all this.