Sofia Gillani is a pop and soul singer/songwriter who was born and raised in London, England, now resides in Surrey. Gillani gained some traction in the music industry after a lead role in a musical, ‘Evita’ where she sang ‘Don’t Cry for Me Argentina’ at just 9 years old. Since then, Gillani has spent her time perfecting her craft, independently through writing, producing, and directing music videos. Sofia also recorded vocals for the indie children’s series “Zayn and Zayna’s Little Farm.”
Releasing songs like ‘Flames’, ‘Water Run Dry’, ‘Monster’, and her newest single just released, ‘L.E.D’ Gillani continues to climb the ladder and get her name recognized with her experimental yet empowering song lyrics, determination, and authenticity.
Sofia was kind enough to reach out to us and let us interview her. Find out more below about this up and coming artist.
For readers who may not know who you are, how would you describe your artistry?
Bold, loud and honest. I’m not afraid to express my thoughts and emotions through my music, it’s my creative outlet! My heritage is a mixture of east and west so my identity as an artist is unique, and I’m ridiculously experimental!
Do you have any musical inspirations, and is that the type of music you enjoy putting out for the world to hear? By that I mean, is that the type of storytelling you like to use as well?
The world is my inspiration, and the relationships within it. My music is representative of my messages and emotions that I feel daily. So when I get even a hint of inspiration, it’s straight to the notes app! I’ll jot down random words or ideas about what I’m feeling, and then later put it into a song. It’s very freeing, and makes music so enjoyable for me. Over the years, I’ve definitely improved in how I illustrate those messages, and refined my skill.
You got your start at the tender age of 9, if i am not mistaken. Playing a lead role in the musical, ‘Evita’. How did that experience help shape you to become an artist? And is there still an itch to do more musicals in the future along with being an artist?
I took up musical theatre at school and performed at quite a few productions. I caught the bug of singing and performing from there on. Once I got a chance to record my own original song I never looked back, now having released 8 songs and an EP in June! More shows came up and I having been honing my craft on the stage for the last few years, enjoying the buzz of being able to spread my message through music. I would love to do more musical theatre in the future, it has a chunk of my heart.
A bit of a longer question here: You have a motto of enjoying the small things in life, which I feel is almost a lost cause anymore as social media has ingrained this “need” to best everyone. The small things in life have turned into a “how can I use this to gain more attention” which can be detrimental to someone’s mental health. Cell phones, gaming devices and other distractions have taken away that in the moment feeling. I often feel like I need to have a day away from all that to live in the moment and enjoy the smaller things we would normally overlook, so how do you try to remind your audience that we all need to take a step back and have that motto you hold? Is it something you like to instill in your music lyrically?
I want to be seen as someone who’s not afraid to step back when I need too. I want to express myself and grow, as I’m still discovering who I am, but I know for sure that I want to make art and say how I’m truly feeling unapologetically. When enjoying these said ‘smaller things in life’, I understand it can be difficult to step back, so I try to write thinking about all the little things that I saw, heard, thought and felt that really moved me. It didn’t have to be positive, it just had to be reflective of me. I want my music to be a safe space, so I’m not just experimental with my sound, I’m experimental with my lyrics. It’s easy to get swept up in what’s trending, but I feel that if my face is being put on things I truly believe in, I can find peace in that, sticking by what comes along with it, and moving forward. The phrase ‘small victories’ is a summary of that. Music will always spread, it’s a foundation in today’s society. And I, as Sofia Gillani, want to be there in my own crazy, abstract, playful yet bold way.
I want to explore what I can do and see what music is out there. There are so many musicians/music statements today, and the wide variety just shows how other people perceive music, and I’m really open to that. I’d love to collaborate with people and get other perspectives and viewpoints, but also experiment with my voice.
“I aim to share my personal experiences and create a sense of relatability with my listeners.”
When you go to write a song, do you have a topic in mind that you want to write about, or are you more of a just write whatever comes to mind kind of artist?
Through my songs, I aim to share my personal experiences and create a sense of relatability with my listeners. None of my songs are the same, and each song explores a new genre. My style is young, and loud, and not limited to any specific type. I write all my music myself, and the creative process is simple. I express myself through music, so my songs are messages and meanings that have come from my life. It’s a beautiful process. It’s whatever comes to mind, from a few words, to a fully developed song with melodies and harmonies.
Your newest song ‘L.E.D.’ has just been released, which has to be exciting for you. What is the meaning behind the lyrics and how did the song come to life?
‘L.E.D’ was about how I started seeing the world through other people’s lenses and ‘filters’. I would constantly try to freeze certain moments in the way I best knew how, which was through photographs, and realized looking back, that those pictures started representing how others saw the world, instead of me. It’s a song about me understanding my craft better and getting in touch with myself and the world, without the interference of other people’s opinions, without that ‘LED light’. This song allows time to pass by, without the fear of capturing it, and I think that’s truly beautiful, giving, allowing and accepting, a pause to the stress and need for society to achieve this, that and the other, and to just enjoy life and it’s blessings.
For anyone that has not listened to your music and may be interested, what other songs of yours do you recommend they listen to?
I would say my new single L.E.D and ‘Monster’. Then work your way to ‘Water Run Dry’, ‘Other Side’ and ‘Aint a Game’. No one single sounds the same, so you could probably find your style in any one of my songs!
As an up and coming artist yourself, do you have any words of wisdom or advice for someone who may be trying to climb the ladder in this industry?
Whatever your sound, vibe or inspiration is, try. No one can do the same thing as you, and you have absolutely nothing to lose. Don’t do it for fame, do it because you love music, and want to be the future.
Finally, growing up in London, England, as a child, did you have any dreams of playing in any particular festivals or arenas in England? Or even anywhere in the world? And are those places still a bucket list type of venue for you?
I was born and raised in London, so I was exposed to a variety of different festivals. I would love to play all the major festivals in the UK and abroad. I would like to tour internationally. All with good time!
Additional comments for the readers?
Shout out to all my supporters and the music team. My new single ‘L.E.D’ is released! Do check out the full video for the track which is released. I am finishing an EP which I’m hoping to release in September with stuff I am remarkably proud of! Follow me on my socials to stay updated!
Sofia’s socials can be found here: