Sophie Simmons interviewed by Elif Ozer for French Fries

Photography: McLaren Ray / mclarenray

Interviewed by Elif Ozer / elifozeerr1

Despite such dark and trying times, we had the pleasure of having a sincere interview with Sophie Simmons, discussing her recent book "Secrets I Would Never Say, But I Would Sing”, Platinum award-winning song “Mine" w/Felix Cartel, the song that she wrote for Leah Kate named "Fuck up the Friendship” and her dedication to philanthropy. Being the daughter of Gene Simmons did not impede or influence her efforts in taking the high-way in the music industry, by building her career solely on her own. She has a vision of a world of free expression and she is definitely not afraid to fight for it.

What does art mean to you? How do you get inspired? Do you use art as a way of taking an insight into your emotions, or to raise your voice for the unspoken matters in the world?

I use art to express what I’m too shy or unable to express with just talking. I find it so much easier to say what I mean in a song or in a poem. A lot of the time, a poem will turn into a song or the other way around.

How would you define your style?

My writing style? Stream of consciousness probably. I try not to over think or over edit. I am a believer that often times first instinct is the most honest. 

Who would you say is your role model?

It’s going to sound cliché… but my parents. They both worked so hard to get to where they are now. It’s really inspiring. 

You have once mentioned that you weren’t into alcohol or did any kind of drugs during your teenage years. Were you a mature and aware kid compare to your peers?

I still have never drank, done drugs or smoked. It’s just not for me. I don’t think it had anything to do with being mature. I just think it isn’t part of my personality. It’s just not for me. 

“Fuck Up The Friendship” is a song you wrote with Leah Kate and it is rising on Spotify. What was your inspiration to write such a song?

I love this song. When I write with an artist I let them tell me a story about their life and just get the conversation going. From there we pull the concept or the storyline out. I try to make it as easy of a process as possible so that the artist feels connected to the song and like there wasn’t a struggle there. 

You and Leah didn't have label companies backing you. What advice would you give to the young independent artists who are in the beginning of their career journey?

It’s so so so hard for new artists. I would just say don’t go into it thinking the first song will be a success. A lot of us, me included, have been writing for years and years before we have our first successes. It’s all about perseverance. If you can, try to surround yourself with a team that’s going to work as hard as you are. 

Last year you released a song called “Mine” with Felix Cartel. The song was about going back in time and observing your childhood relationships from your current point of view. So, what do you think that love evolved into nowadays? Do you think it remained as something pure or is it a zero-sum game?

I’m so proud of this song. It recently went platinum and we all freaked out. I think that love has matured. We learn so much from every relationship and it only makes us better partners for the future. I think heartbreak is such a necessary human experience. It’s the worst and the best at the same time. 

You have a new book called “Secrets I Would Never Say, But I Would Sing”, which consists of poems you wrote yourself. Where does that title come from?!

The title is a perfect explanation of the contents of the book! It is a bunch of things I would never say to anyone, but I would feel comfortable putting into art. Art creates a kind of safe barrier between what I’m feeling and how I express it. 

The book is about secrets that you would never say to people’s faces but would rather write into songs or poems. Can you say that you are feeling a sense of empowerment because you turned your repressed feelings and thoughts into poetry?

I think poems are a very healthy outlet for emotion. For me it has been the best form of therapy. I believe everyone should have an outlet like that. I feel more open and free than empowered, but it definitely gives me a sense of confidence knowing how I feel so clearly. 

Besides your singing, song-writing and writing career, you are also a philanthropist and you opened up a child abuse advocacy center called Sophie’s Place. Since when did you have the idea of helping kids in particular?

As a family we were always very involved in charity work. My mother especially got all of us involved very early on in my life. I knew child advocacy is where I felt the most passionate. When I was approached by the then mayor of Surrey, Diane Watts, about lending my name to this center, it was a no-brainer. 

According to your previous interviews, you admitted that you are a binge-watcher of Black Mirror. So, I would like to ask you, do you think as we are seeking validation in hyper-reality, we are more prone to lose our own individuality and originality?

There are two ways to look at it in my opinion. On one hand, social media has opened up a channel for all of us to connect and express ourselves freely. To also see and be open to other perspectives. On the other hand, what comes with all that is comparisons to others, hate spreading rapidly and false information. When used correctly I think social media can be a great tool, but we do always walk the line of conformity. 

Do you think we are less likely to lose hope through art, that art is our hope in our dark times?

I think so. Dark times have often been followed up by great periods of art. The obvious example being the Dark Ages/Medieval Period followed by the Renaissance. Ok maybe that’s an extreme example, but I think without dark times we really can’t get out of our comfort zones and into a new creative space.

Do you have a routine for these days to stay creative and mentally balanced?!

Mostly I wake-up, write a song, have a walk and go to bed. Not much going on in quarantine. I will say I have had the most opportunities as a songwriter during this period than ever before; on zoom of course. 

After the COVID-19 situation, what is the change you want to see in the world?

I would hope that a global pandemic would inspire all nations to work together towards a solution, but as we can see that isn’t happening. I hope in the US we can get to a place of great social change. One good thing to come out of 2020 I think is new leadership for the US. I hope that can turn the pandemic response around, but only time will tell.