Sophia Allison, known as Soccer Mommy, is a singer-songwriter hailed for her introspective lyrics and unique guitar tunings. In this discussion, she dives into her latest album, Evergreen, reflecting on themes of grief and loneliness. She explores the emotional complexity in her lyrics, shares insights on songwriting using open tunings, and discusses the haunting melodies inspired by her Nashville upbringing. Additionally, she opens up about navigating the music industry while staying true to her artistic identity, making for an enlightening and heartfelt conversation.
Soccer Mommy, born Sophia Allison, began her music career in Nashville at six and gained prominence after posting songs on Bandcamp in 2015.
Her latest album 'Evergreen' explores themes of grief and loneliness through raw honesty and melodic compositions, marking a shift in her musical style.
Maintaining artistic integrity, Soccer Mommy rejects industry pressures for commercial success, emphasizing the importance of personal expression in her music.
Deep dives
Early Beginnings and Musical Journey
Sophia Allison, known as Soccer Mommy, began her music journey in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of six when she started playing guitar. She launched her music career in 2015 by sharing her songs on Bandcamp under the name Soccer Mommy, just before moving to New York to pursue a degree in music business at NYU. After two years, she left school to sign her first record deal with Fat Possum, which marked the beginning of her professional music career. Since then, Soccer Mommy has produced four albums and toured with prominent artists such as Vampire Weekend, Phoebe Bridgers, and Mitski, establishing herself as a significant figure in the indie music scene.
Themes of Grief and Loneliness in 'Evergreen'
Soccer Mommy's latest album, 'Evergreen', delves into profound themes of grief and loneliness, exploring personal loss and emotional vulnerability. The album has been recognized for its laid-back and pastoral sound, signifying a shift in her musical style towards a more intimate and reflective tone. During the creative process, she explained that the songs are a mix of raw honesty and melodic compositions, aiming to capture the bittersweet beauty of her experiences. The reflective nature of the album resonates with listeners, drawing them into her world of heartfelt narratives.
Songwriting and Musical Craftsmanship
Soccer Mommy describes her songwriting process as deeply personal and instinctive, often starting with guitar chords before developing lyrics and melodies. She embraces musical experimentation, including various guitar tunings that evoke new sounds and emotional responses. The podcast highlights her use of open tunings to foster creativity and spontaneity, stating that it allows her to explore unfamiliar chord shapes that influence her thematic direction. This method not only enriches her compositions but also translates into the unique sound that distinguishes her music from standard pop formulas.
Production Choices and Unique Sound
In 'Evergreen', Soccer Mommy sought to create a sound that was both lush and direct, featuring beautiful string arrangements that enhance the emotional depth of the songs. She worked with a dedicated team, including a producer who understood her vision for an organic sound that steers clear of overly synthesized elements. The string arrangements played a key role in achieving the intended aesthetic, providing a hauntingly beautiful backdrop that complements the lyrics. By focusing on organic instruments and arrangements, she succeeded in producing an album that feels both intimate and grand, resonating with listeners on multiple levels.
Staying True to Artistic Integrity
Throughout her career, Soccer Mommy has maintained a strong sense of artistic integrity, often rejecting conventional industry pressures to collaborate with other songwriters or follow mainstream trends. She values the personal nature of her music, finding discomfort in the idea of compromising her creative vision for commercial gain. Her experiences with record labels have reinforced her belief that success stems from hard work and authenticity rather than mere luck or external validation. By staying true to herself and her music, Soccer Mommy aims to create art that is meaningful and resonant, assuring her fans that she prioritizes personal expression over widespread fame.
Soccer Mommy is one of the stand-out singer/songwriters to emerge over the last half decade. She was born Sophia Allison and raised in Nashville, Tennessee where she started playing guitar at six years-old.
Sophia started posting her songs on Bandcamp in 2015 under the name Soccer Mommy the summer before moving to New York to study the music business at NYU. Two years later she dropped out after signing her first record deal with Fat Possum.
Since then she has released four albums and toured with artists like Vampire Weekend, Phoebe Bridgers and Mitski. Soccer Mommy’s latest album Evergreen is a reflection on grief and loneliness, and was described recently by Pitchfork as the, “most laid back and pastoral music of her career.”
You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Soccer Mommy songs HERE.