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 Just before Christmas, i:Vibes had the opportunity to ask the wicked trance DJ/producer Sophie Sugar a few questions, so here's what she had to say to us...
Sophie Sugar, one of the world’s hottest female producers...
Female DJs nowadays are not as rare as maybe 15 years ago, but women producing music in the dance scene is something not quite as common. The UK’s Sophie Sugar has become one of the world’s hottest female producers in the last few years. She has the right name with Sugar, because not only is she sweet looking, but her music is extremely tasty. She has musical talent as she played piano for eight years and was infected with the vinyl bug at the age of six. As a teen she started visiting clubs and fell in love with trance. In 1999, she started DJing and over a period of four years, she experimented and started developing her sound. In 2004, she was ready to release tracks. It only took two tracks ‘Angels’ and ‘Fearing Nothing’, before she celebrated her big breakthrough with ‘Call Of Tomorrow’. This track was featured on A State Of Trance and highly supported by Armin Van Buuren and Paul van Dyk. In 2006 came the next hit with ‘Isis’, which was released on E-TCR. This was played heavily by top DJs Armin van Buuren, Paul van Dyk and Above & Beyond. Armin van Buuren soon signed her to his label Armada. In 2007 came ‘Fallen Too Far’, which didn’t disappoint as it became another hit. Tunes like ‘Day Seven’ and ‘Sense Of Connection’ followed all released on Armada. She also did her own version of the classic ‘Madagascar’ by The Art of Trance. With her big success as a producer, she has had gigs in countries like the USA, Canada, Morocco, Abu Dhabi, China and the top clubs in the UK like Passion and Gallery. i:Vibes had the chance to have a short chat with the lady before Christmas...
i:Vibes: Hi Sophie, How are you? Thanks for chatting with i:Vibes. Do you have any new years resolutions?
Sohpie Sugar: No! I’m terrible with resolutions – I have no will power!!
i:Vibes: I really love your name. Is this your real name? If not how did you decide to name yourself like this?
Sohpie Sugar: Thanks very much!! No, it’s not my real name although it does feel like it now! It started off as my first email address, then became a nickname with my friends and when I started DJing it was the obvious choice!!
i:Vibes: Where exactly are you from in the UK and how was your childhood?
Sohpie Sugar: I am from Kent which is just outside London although I now live in London itself. My childhood was very happy and very innocent actually! Lots of piano and ballet lessons – that kind of thing. Everything soon changed when I hit my teens and discovered clubbing!!
i:Vibes: How did you get involved with trance music? What experience did you have that started your love for this genre of music?
Sohpie Sugar: On my first holiday with friends in Ibiza in 1996 – I was already into dance music and clubbing but didn’t have a favourite ‘genre’ as such. While I was there, I heard BBE’s ‘Seven Days & One Week’ for the first time at Es Paradis and was completely blown away by it. I started listening to trance from that moment onwards!
i:Vibes: Who were your early musical inspirations?
Sohpie Sugar: I have always loved film scores and in particular the composer Thomas Newman who has written incredible scores for films such as Road to Perdition, American Beauty and The Shawshank Redemption. I also love classical music from composers such as Vivaldi. When I first started producing, Armin, Above & Beyond, Paul van Dyk and Agnelli & Nelson were big inspirations amongst many others.
i:Vibes: Was it difficult for you getting started in the dance music scene? There aren’t many women DJs/producers in the trance scene. Were there any people that helped you in the beginning?
Sohpie Sugar: I wouldn’t say it was any more difficult for me than for any other male DJ I know– although there has sometimes a sense of needing to prove myself slightly more. I didn’t have a ‘mentor’ as such in the beginning but there were several people that encouraged me and helped me in their own way.
i:Vibes: How would you describe your sound?
Sohpie Sugar: Uplifting and emotional!
i:Vibes: What is the most important thing a track needs to have for you?
Sohpie Sugar: An uplifting and emotional melody!
i:Vibes: I think your tracks have a certain “Trance anthem” aura, which is not easy to create. That makes you very unique. Is this something you learned over time or do you think it was something that just comes naturally?
Sohpie Sugar: Thank you! It’s something that comes very naturally because the music is quite simply the type of music that moves me and strikes a chord within me. I remember listening to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons as a child and loving the emotion within the music.
i:Vibes: In 2005 came ‘Call of tomorrow’ which was a big hit. I remember hearing it played by Talla 2XLC on his Sunshine live radio show. What was the inspiration behind this track and were you surprised just how big it got?
Sohpie Sugar: I was listening to a lot of classic-style trance and this is what I was aiming for. It was my first track with a well-known trance label so it was a big surprise when it did so well. John O’Callaghan’s mix was incredible and helped the profile of the release hugely.
i:Vibes: In 2006 you released ‘Isis’, which once again was a huge hit. You only released two tracks in 2005 and 2006. Did these tracks take so long or why did you produce so little? Do believe in the phrase, “quality before quantity”?
Sohpie Sugar: Absolutely! I am a Virgo and completely live up to my star sign in terms of being a perfectionist! It takes me ages to make each track because I keep going back to each little part again and again when really I should just leave it and move on! Also – I can’t stand having 2 unfinished projects going on at the same time so I like to completely finish the track I am working on before starting anything new.
i:Vibes: In 2007, you released ‘Fallen Too Far’ on Armin van Buuren’s label Armada. Did somebody have to pinch you when you heard your track had been signed? Do you remember where you were when you found out it had been signed?
Sohpie Sugar: Yes, I was at my computer at home when the email arrived in my inbox. I didn’t want to open it because I knew it would be the fateful “yes or no” email! I had to read the words about 20 times over before the “yes” sunk in!
i:Vibes: How has it been working for Armada as an artist? Do you have your freedom to create what you want, or does the label have any influence what you make?
Sohpie Sugar: It’s been fantastic! Obviously any label will only release material that they feel is going to work but we seem to be on the same wavelength with our sounds so far, so everyone is happy!
i:Vibes: ‘Day Seven’ is a “Brett”, which when translated from German is “Choon”. What was your inspiration for making this track? Does ‘Day Seven’ have a special meaning to you, why day seven?
Sohpie Sugar: Cool - thanks! I know someone called Brett – will have to tell him that his name means “Choon”!! I called the track Day Seven because it was finished on a Sunday and it seemed like a good idea!
i:Vibes: Was ‘Day Seven’ a difficult track to produce? Do you remember how the studio session worked when you made this track?
Sohpie Sugar: No actually, it was pretty smooth running – the riff itself didn’t take long at all.
i:Vibes: Do you produce all the tracks by yourself? I only saw your name behind ‘Day Seven’ That is something not rarely seen. What is your biggest strength in the studio?
Sohpie Sugar: No, not completely. I write the tracks and produce them initially and then work with a friend of mine on the final production and mix down. I guess my biggest strength is writing riffs. I’ve also just written my first vocal track which I’m really excited about!
i:Vibes: How do you usually work in the studio? Some producers search for an atmosphere, bassline or kick. Some look long for the perfect melody. How do you do it?
Sohpie Sugar: I always write the melody first and base the track around this.
i:Vibes: What equipment do you have in your studio? Besides your PC, what piece of equipment could you not live without?
Sohpie Sugar: G5 Mac
Logic 7.2
Virus Ti
Motu 828 Mk 2 soundcard
Mackie monitor speakers
I couldn’t live without my MacBook Pro laptop – I forever have new melodies in my head and have to get them laid down immediately!
i:Vibes: You made a nice mix of the classic ‘Madagascar’ by The Art Of Trance. You have not done remixes in the past. Why is this and might you start in the future?
Sohpie Sugar: Thanks! I’ve always preferred starting original tracks for some reason but when I was asked to remix ‘Madagascar’ I found it hard to say no as this was one of the first tracks I started playing as a DJ and it brings back so many special memories. I’m sure I will do further remixes in the future but I’ll mostly concentrate on releasing my own original tracks.
i:Vibes: With what artist would you like to produce a track with?
Sohpie Sugar: Where do I begin?! Above & Beyond, Thomas Bronzwaer, Agnelli & Nelson, Vincent de Moor, Cosmic Gate, Greg Downey, John O’Callaghan, Sean Tyas, Talla 2XLC, Guiseppe Ottaviani, Simon Patterson, Sied van Riel or Ian Betts would all be pretty cool… Oh, not to mention Armin, Paul van Dyk and Tiesto!!
i:Vibes: What artist do you see making the breakthrough in 2008?
Sohpie Sugar: Greg Downey. He has been making waves recently – he’s a hugely talented DJ as well as a brilliant producer. I might be a little biased as he is also my fiancé!! John O’Callaghan is also unbelievably talented and looks set to do huge things this year…
i:Vibes: You’re also a DJ. What is the most important thing for you as a DJ?
Sohpie Sugar: Enjoying it and making sure that everyone else enjoys it!
i:Vibes: Certain male DJs have groupies. How is the life as a female DJ? What are the ups and downs as a female DJ?
Sohpie Sugar: Generally speaking, there aren’t any ‘downs’. Girls and guys alike tend to be really sweet! I get loads of messages on MySpace and my website, people come and support me at gigs and support my tracks. Some ask for advice, some send me tracks to listen to, some just want to let me know how much they love trance! There are a lot of trance-lovers out there in the world which is great!
i:Vibes: What was the craziest experience you ever had as a DJ?
A promoter once started a fancy dress competition half way through my set and then asked me to commentate on the outfits as the entrants walked across the stage! That was pretty crazy! Other than that, last year I went on a 5 week tour of Indonesia – it was a full on tour of 11 different cities with a crew of around 20 people travelling from gig to gig. The whole thing was one of the craziest (and best) experiences of my life!
i:Vibes: If you were to play your last DJ set, what track would you play?
Sohpie Sugar: So, my last track ever?! I don’t know!!! Probably one of these!
Super 8 – Alba
Bedrock – Heaven Scent
BBE – Seven Days & One Week
Vincent de Moor - Fly Away
Armin – Communication
Chicane – No Ordinary Morning
i:Vibes: How is your relationship with other female DJs? Do you stick together or is the relationship not as close knit?
Sohpie Sugar: It’s just the same as with male DJs really. I do have a couple of good female DJ friends but there aren’t loads female DJs within the trance scene so I tend to know more male DJs.
i:Vibes: Where do you see yourself in five years? Could you ever see yourself starting a label?
Sohpie Sugar: I hope to have played in many more countries across the world and to have produced many more emotional, uplifting trance tracks!! Starting a label is certainly a possibility when the time is right. I’d also love to have my own mainstream radio show.
i:Vibes: What are your hobbies?
Sohpie Sugar: I go to the gym 3 times a week and walk everywhere I can – staying fit helps me to focus. I’m also fascinated by all things psychic and love watching any programs, films or reading any books on the subject.
i:Vibes: Sophie thanks for the interview and good luck in the future!!!!!
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