| Sophie
Agapios - watch this space! |
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| Sophie
and her band on stage at the Boat Race |
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Local
girl Sophie Agapios has been described by critics as the new Avril
Lavine with overtones of Alanis Morrisette, Dido and the Cranberries.
We sent our music reviewer to find out what all the fuss is about... |
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Music
reviewer Anna Brooks went along to get a taste of what Sophie's
music is all about...
Singer songwriter Sophie Agapios is a Cambridge girl who has followed
her dream and made it happen.
As a relative newcomer, the reaction to her work has been amazing
and she has caused a stir on both sides of the Atlantic. One of her
many musical achievements being a request for her - along with her
recently-formed band of five - to open the Simply Red Comic Relief
Show at the Shepherds Bush Empire in February this year.
Sophie received a call from her manager with the request six days
before the event, whilst she was shopping for shoes in Selfridges!
She describes her reaction as 'absolutely terrified!' Like a true
professional she pulled it off, and in her own words 'came off stage
with a bounce!'
On Wednesday 4th June Sophie played in her
hometown venue, The Boat Race. Along with her band, comprising
drummer, bass player, keyboard player, lead and acoustic guitarists,
she certainly put on an impressive show, to a very enthusiastic crowd!
The sound was tight and there was good variation between tracks, plus
an interesting mixture of melodic beats and funky rock which offer
a great contrast to Sophie's voice.
I asked Sophie, who originally wanted to be
a dancer, what first inspired her to write songs, and her answer was
the same as a lot of songwriters - 'a broken heart'. She believes
that if her boyfriend of the time had not finished with her on the
platform of a train station she would not be where she is today.
Sophie's musical influences range from Madonna and Prince to Carly
Simon and Janet Jackson. She describes her musical taste as eclectic
and this is certainly apparent in her songs.
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Sophie
being interviewed by Emma Maclean on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire
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Sophie
is a very philosophical girl, and her forthcoming album, due to be
released in July 2003, is appropriately named 'Philosophie'. On this
album is the track 'U Girl', released in February. I asked Sophie
what the thinking was behind this song. She professes that after speaking
to her sister and several friends one day, all of whom were generally
having a pretty rough time, she wrote the song to reach out to them.
She uses the song as a medium of identification 'take my hand, follow
me you' (U Girl).
Sophie's desire is to keep her music real, to inspire her listeners
and identify with them. U Girl has also been featured on the hit TV
series Smallville.
On the subject of fame, and the rise to fame,
Sophie is confident that she is ready for it. She has already established
herself in other areas of her life; she has travelled, she has a degree,
many good friends and a very strong family base.
She believes all this will keep her grounded throughout the journey
to success.
Sophie is currently signed to her family label 'Squeaky Records'.
She says she is open to the idea of moving to a major label, but only
if she is able to retain autonomy and creative input as these are
fundamental to her enjoyment of what she does.
I wanted to know where Sophie sees herself in five years time. Her
reply was: "Hopefully having another conversation with you after
playing a venue such as Wembley!" She is intent on breaking America,
and is indeed taking the right steps towards doing so. Sophie is a
strong songwriter, a great performer, and has the personality to carry
it through. She has already featured on the front cover of Cambridge's
Style magazine, so watch this space!
Anna Brooks |
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