Sophie Grenier: 'Escape' (Exclusive Interview)
When did you start making music?
Ever since I can remember, I’ve always loved listening to music and singing in the shower. At the age of 11, I witnessed a young girl grace America’s Got Talent’s stage, Grace VanderWaal. She inspired me to start singing and writing songs. In 2018, I took music a little more seriously and started vocal lessons.
What has been the most challenging part of your journey?
The big challenge in the music industry is that everything is subjective. People will always have opinions about you no matter what. When I first started singing, I took every opportunity I could to do showcases and little contests here and there. Everywhere I went, I was always told that I had to do more high notes and more runs. At one of these contests, I sang “Young & Beautiful'' by Lana Del Rey and was told that I was never going to be able to sing that song because I had never lived the experience, never will live the experience, thus could never portray the emotions. I decided then and there that I was going to find a way to stand out from every other artist out there.
Tell us about the process of making your EP project!
My musical influences throughout the years have been Pop and Alternative artists such as Taylor Swift, Tate McRae, Lana Del Rey, Yseult and Pomme. I’m also inspired by orchestral pieces from artists like Sleeping At Last, Cody Fry and Emily Bear. During the summer of 2022, I was able to connect with people who helped me make this project come to life! While working on my EP, I was finally able to create music that represented me and my style. I really wanted my sound and look to be whimsical and ethereal. I had a lot of fun working with Billboard top 10 producer/artist Kayla Diamond, who co-wrote and produced my EP. You might hear hints of Aurora, Billie Eilish, as well as James Bond music and vocal style in my songs.
Do you have any good tips for maintaining your voice?
I find it very important for singers to maintain good vocal health. I drink lots of water and use a sinus inhaler to steam and hydrate my vocal chords every day. I always do a vocal warm-up before I sing, and my go-to before any performance is drinking peppermint tea!
What are your plans and goals for the future?
In 2021, I went to my first concert and saw a 16 year old as the opening act. My goal is to be the opening act of a major artist one day. Of course, I would love to be a major artist myself, but I’m taking it one step at a time!
