SOHMI blends techno and minimal house with a dash of pop-inspired vocals. Sound good? Find out what makes her click as she takes on Attack’s QnA.
Why music?
It’s just in my blood or something, I love it so much.
If you weren’t making music what would you be doing?
Acting in movies or teaching high school English.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Be yourself, love yourself.
What inspires you?
Film, beautifully done tv shows, and stories.
What’s the next big thing?
Best club experience?
Fabric London Dec 2018 I caught an 8-hour set by Joseph Capriati that changed my life.
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
The office manager and Executive Assistant to the CEO both at the same time.
How do you know when a track’s finished?
I can’t really explain this one. I guess it’s when I can’t hear anything I’d want to change or get rid of.
What was your last day job and when did you realise you could give it up?
Tech Product Manager; I left the job in 2017 not because I realized I could give it up, but rather because I finally realized I had to give it up in order to be able to do what really made me happy in life (music).
Which song do you wish you had written?
‘We Found Love’ by Rihanna and Calvin Harris.
What’s the easiest way to make it in the music industry?
I don’t think there really is an easy way to make it in the industry.
What’s the worst track you’ve ever released?
My worst tracks don’t get released!
Recommend us a film.
Honestly, no film is coming to mind right now but I can think of so many good tv shows. I recommend ‘Kingdom’, it’s a Korean zombie period piece and it’s one of the best things I’ve ever seen.
Recommend us a book.
The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes.
What or who is underrated?
Having a morning routine.
What or who is overrated?
Getting drunk.
What are you addicted to?
Coffee.
What do you lust over?
Archive fashion.
What is your greatest regret?
Not prioritizing my sleep for the last 20 years.
What one thing would most improve your life?
Probably learning how to meditate.
What’s the worst gig you’ve ever played?
I feel lucky that I can’t really think of one, though my first paid gig ever I think I played for just 10 or 15 people all night.
Collaboration: rich creative experience or pain in the ass?
Depends on who you’re collaborating with.
What’s the secret to a great mix?
Seduce the listener with a great opening, then create a world for them to get lost inside.
If you could only listen to one more track, what would it be?
Sade – ‘Cherish the Day’.
How do you relax?
A hot shower followed by a face mask and a hot cashew milk latte I love to make with mushroom cacao and reishi.
What one piece of software/kit could you not do without? Why?
I feel like I’m supposed to mention some VST for Ableton or the like but can we talk about how amazing InShot is for editing videos on your phone? Let’s face it, video-editing has become a part of the job description for artists these days.
Art or money?
Both.
Ronaldo or Messi?
Messi.
Strangest place you ever wrote a track?
Several of my tracks have started as voice notes recorded inside restaurant bathrooms, not sure why this is where inspiration always strikes.
Must-visit record store?
Techno Import in Paris.
What’s your single biggest frustration in the music industry?
Trend chasing and what that’s doing to the way people both make and play music. It kills a lot of potential originality.
What’s your favourite label? Why?
Please don’t make me pick just one.. if I must, then Knee Deep in Sound’s deeper cuts just really speak to my soul.
What’s the worst thing about making music?
Synthesis and sound design; haven’t quite mastered those yet.
What’s your motto?
Bring Your Feelings.
Name something timeless
Gold jewellery.
Tweet us a tip. What’s the best production advice you can give in 140 characters or less?
Start with a reference track if you’re stuck, use it as a guide for arrangement, and then forget the rest. Fill in the rest with sounds that you love, don’t try to copy what anyone else is doing.
Complete this sentence: At heart, I’m just a frustrated …
theatre kid.
Can music change the world?
Yes! It’s been changing the world for as long as we can remember.
What are you listening to right now?
Neo-soul and soulful pop.
What should you do before you die?
Move to Europe.
Stream SOHMI’s latest single ‘Only One’ now while her new single ‘Missin U’ is out March 10th.
Find SOHMI on Instagram.
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