Sophie (musician)

Sophie
Background information
Birth name Samuel Long[1]
Born (1986-09-17) September 17, 1986
Origin Glasgow, Scotland
Genres
Occupation(s) Producer, DJ
Instruments Elektron Monomachine
Years active 2011–present
Labels Huntleys & Palmers, Numbers, Vroom Vroom
Associated acts A. G. Cook, Charli XCX, QT, Le1f, Liz, GFOTY, Madonna
Website msmsmsm.com

Samuel Long is a London-based electronic music producer who works under the stage name Sophie (stylised as SOPHIE). He came to prominence in 2013 with his single "Bipp"/"Elle" and released "Lemonade"/"Hard" the following year. He has worked closely with artists from the PC Music label and produced for acts including Charli XCX, Le1f, QT, Madonna, Liz, and Namie Amuro. Sophie's music has been described as a "hyperkinetic" take on pop music, and typically features high-pitched female vocals and an attention to synthesized electronic textures. His debut album Product was released in 2015.

History

Long began his career in a band named Motherland (Sabine Gottfried, Matthew Lutz-Kinoy and Marcella Dvsi) and later collaborated with his bandmate Matthew Lutz-Kinoy on a series of performance works.[5] In 2011 he scored the short film Dear Mr/Mrs by Dutch team Freudenthal/Verhagen.[6] Sophie became involved with artists on the PC Music label after encountering Dux Kidz, a project between A. G. Cook and Danny L Harle.[7]

He released his debut single "Nothing More to Say" in February 2013. Its follow-up "Bipp"/"Elle" was released on Numbers later that year.[6] "Bipp" drew attention from music critics for omitting a traditional drum beat to prominently feature a bouncy bassline.[8] The song received attention from music critics, topping XLR8R's year-end list and placing 17 on Pitchfork Media's.[9][10] Pitchfork later ranked "Bipp" 56 on its list of the best tracks from 2010–2014.[11] B-side "Elle" features a more powerful drum beat, drawing comparisons to TNGHT and Rustie.[12][13]

Sophie (left) produced "Hey QT" with A. G. Cook (right).

In mid 2014, Sophie collaborated with Japanese pop singer Kyary Pamyu Pamyu.[14] His next two singles came in August 2014. Numbers released "Lemonade"/"Hard" as a 12" single, with vocal contributions by PC Music artist GFOTY.[15] Both tracks appeared on the Billboard Twitter Real-Time charts.[3] "Lemonade" and "Hard" placed 68th and 91st respectively on the 2014 Pazz & Jop critics poll. "Lemonade" was in the top ten of year-end singles lists by The Washington Post, Resident Advisor, and Complex;[16][17][18] "Hard" was in the top ten on lists by Dazed and Dummy.[19][20] Pitchfork ranked "Lemonade"/"Hard" at 21 on its list of the best songs of 2014.[21] "Lemonade" appeared in a 2015 commercial for McDonald's.[22] "Hey QT" was a collaboration with A. G. Cook and pop singer QT. The project included an energy drink called the QT Energy Elixir, and at the singer's request, "Hey QT" repeats the drink's name for product placement.[23]

In March 2015, Charli XCX announced a collaboration with Sophie. It was later revealed the pair had worked on multiple songs for her upcoming studio album.[24] In September 2015, SOPHIE's debut album Product was made available for preorder. The eight tracks listed were the four Numbers singles from 2013 and 2014, as well as four new tracks: "Msmsmsm", "Vyzee", "L.O.V.E.", and "Just Like We Never Said Goodbye". "Msmsmsm" was released on 29 September,[25] and released "Just Like We Never Said Goodbye" on 15 October.[26]

In February 2016, Charli XCX released her Vroom Vroom EP, produced primarily by Sophie.[27] It was the revealed that the extended play would act as the teaser for XCX's 2016 album, with other producers including BloodPop and Stargate. After the extended play's release, SOPHIE embarked on a major European tour with Charli XCX to promote her sophomore album. The tour premiered produced tracks "Round & Round", "Burn Rubber" and "Give Me Your Love". In a couple of months after the release of the extended play, SOPHIE, A. G. Cook and Hannah Diamond, all of which played their part into creating the Vroom Vroom EP, were starred in the official video for the lead single, entitled "Vroom Vroom". It was first premiered at Apple Music and released on all platforms later. It is currently unknown whether SOPHIE has re-signed with Numbers or joined frequent collaborative label's PC Music or Vroom Vroom.

In late 2016, Sophie participated as an additional producer in Charli XCX's song "After the Afterparty", featuring vocals from Lil Yachty. The song currently stands as the lead single for XCX's third studio album, being released in May 2017. He also starred as a zombie cameo in the official music video for the song.

Artistry
"Bipp" (2013)
"Bipp" features a pitch-shifted vocal over a minimal rhythm that uses a flanging effect.[12]
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Sophie primarily uses the Elektron Monomachine and software to develop his music.[28] Instead of sampling, he builds the instrumentals from waveforms.[3] Likening the construction of a track to building a sculpture out of different materials, he uses the Monomachine to create sounds resembling "latex, balloons, bubbles, metal, plastic, [and] elastic".[3][28] Sophie's music features an exaggerated sense of cuteness.[29] The Fader likened it to "K-Pop, J-Pop, Eurodance at its most chaotic, and even turn of the millennium American/UK boybandisms."[30] AllMusic wrote that his "sophisticated, hyperkinetic productions" typically make use of high-pitched female vocals in addition to "sugary synthesizer textures, and beats drawing from underground dance music styles."[3][31] The New York Times described his work as "giddy fun, but it’s also an invitation to consider pop’s pleasures, structures and gender expectations, and pop’s commercial status as both a consumer item and an emotional catalyst."[32]

Sophie remained anonymous for some time, concealing himself in interviews by masking his voice or covering parts of himself.[6][14] At one Boiler Room show, he recruited drag performer Ben Woozy to mime a DJ set while Sophie pretended to be a bodyguard.[33] He decided on the moniker Sophie because he thought "it tastes good and it's like moisturizer."[6] His early visuals came from a series of colourful images he refers to as "Homemade Molecular Cooking".[6] His single covers often show objects made from plastic or other industrial materials, an idea that originated with discussions with John Roberts, a fellow electronic musician.[34] At the POPcube event, Sophie unveiled posters and postcards outlining the products to be offered through his online store, which include a set of wedge heels, a puffa jacket, and unique sunglasses.

Discography

Albums

Singles

Year Title Label
2013 "Nothing More to Say"/"EEEHHH" Huntleys & Palmers
"Bipp"/"Elle" Numbers
2014 "Lemonade"/"Hard" Numbers
2015 "MSMSMSM"/"Vyzee" Numbers
2015 "L.O.V.E."/"Just Like We Never Said Goodbye" Numbers

Remixes

Year Artist Title
2012 Auntie Flo "Highlife" (Sophie Remix)[6]
2013 Tiny Dancer "Who Am I" (Sophie MSMSMSM Remix)
2014 Paris Suit Yourself "Won't K" (Sophie Remix)
2015 Yelle "Moteur Action" (Sophie & A. G. Cook Remix)

Production discography

Year Artist Title Album
2014 QT "Hey QT" (with A.G. Cook) N/A
2015 Madonna "Bitch I'm Madonna" (feat. Nicki Minaj) Rebel Heart
Namie Amuro "B Who I Want 2 B" (feat. Hatsune Miku) Genic
Liz "When I Rule the World" N/A
Le1f "Koi" Riot Boi
Charli XCX "Vroom Vroom" Vroom Vroom - EP
2016 "Paradise" (feat. Hannah Diamond)
"Trophy"
"Secret (Shh)"
"After the Afterparty" (feat. Lil Yachty) TBA
"Round & Round"
"Girls' Night Out"
"Bounce"
"Taxi"
"No Angel"
"Daddy Knows"
"Hey Boy, Hey Girl"
"TKO"
"Roll With Me"

References

  1. ↑ "ACE Title Search". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
  2. ↑ Fitzmaurice, Larry. "Sophie". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Grant, Kristin Westcott (19 August 2014). "U.K. Producer SOPHIE Q&A: On Secrecy, Synthesis & What's Next". Billboard. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  4. ↑ Day, Laurence. "SOPHIE reveals piercing new single "L.O.V.E."". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  5. ↑ Russell, Legacy (11 January 2012). "Expanded Benefits: Matthew Lutz-Kinoy and SOPHIE". Bomb. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Fitzmaurice, Larry (10 October 2013). "Rising: Sophie". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  7. ↑ Bulut, Selim (24 February 2015). "Next: Danny L Harle". Dummy. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  8. ↑ Fallon, Patric (19 June 2013). "Sophie: 'Bipp'". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  9. ↑ Powell, Mike (16 December 2013). "The Top Tracks of 2013". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  10. ↑ Reynaldo, Shawn (13 December 2013). "XLR8R's Best of 2013: Tracks". XLR8R. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  11. ↑ Gaerig, Andrew (18 August 2014). "The 200 Best Tracks of the Decade So Far (2010–2014)". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  12. 1 2 Ryce, Andrew (9 July 2013). "SOPHIE – Bipp / Elle on Numbers (Single)". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  13. ↑ Fitzmaurice, Larry (17 June 2013). "Sophie: "Elle"". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  14. 1 2 Denney, Alex (2014). "Kyary Pamyu Pamyu gets kawaii with SOPHIE". Dazed & Confused. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  15. ↑ Liu, Nelson (2 October 2014). "Maxo 'Not That Bad' ft. GFOTY". Mass Appeal. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  16. ↑ Richards, Chriss (23 December 2014). "The Top 50 Singles of 2014". The Washington Post. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  17. ↑ "RA Poll: Top 50 tracks of 2014". Resident Advisor. 19 December 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  18. ↑ "5. SOPHIE — 'Lemonade'". Complex. 19 December 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  19. ↑ Cliff, Aimee. "The top 20 tracks of 2014". Dazed. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  20. ↑ Bulut, Selim (8 December 2014). "The 20 best tracks of 2014". Dummy. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  21. ↑ "The 100 Best Tracks of 2014". Pitchfork Media. December 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  22. ↑ Helman, Peter (6 July 2015). "SOPHIE's 'Lemonade' Soundtracks A McDonald's Commercial". Stereogum. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  23. ↑ Lea, Tom (9 September 2014). "Hey QT! An interview with 2014's most love-her-or-hate-her pop star". Fact. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  24. ↑ "Charli XCX teases SOPHIE collaboration". DIY. 28 March 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  25. ↑ "SOPHIE – "Just Like We Never Said Goodbye"". Consequence of Sound. 30 September 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  26. ↑ "SOPHIE – "Just Like We Never Said Goodbye"". Stereogum. 15 October 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  27. ↑ Lee, Morgan. "StreamCharli XC's SOPHIE-produced Vroom Vroom EP. Fact Magazine.
  28. 1 2 Sterner, Daniel (2014). "Sophie". Elektron. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  29. ↑ Kretowicz, Steph (26 June 2014). "You're Too Cute: Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, SOPHIE, PC Music and the Aesthetic of Excess". The Fader. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  30. ↑ Turner, David (4 August 2014). "SOPHIE Debuts New Song 'Hard' on Rinse FM". The Fader. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  31. ↑ Simpson, Paul. "SOPHIE - Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  32. ↑ Pareles, Jon. "With 'Product,' Sophie Swarms the Senses With Synthetic Sounds". The New York Times.
  33. ↑ Abellera, Jazper (13 October 2014). "Sophie Is Trolling EDM By Spitting Its Cult of Personality Back Into Its Face". Vice. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  34. ↑ Roberts, John (16 January 2013). "Sophie". 'SUP Magazine (25). Archived from the original on 15 January 2014. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
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