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Sonia Leigh Interview
Sonia Leigh is no stranger to the music industry as she started out young and has continued to hone in on her craft over the years. After releasing two critically acclaimed albums, she entered the studio with John Hopkins from the Zac Brown Band and layed down the tracks for her latest effort, “Run Or Surrender.” John’s ideas combined with Sonia’s songwriting abilities have created a very solid album chalked full with well-crafted songs. Sonia checked in with us to chat about her wide range of influences, working on the album, songwriting, her live shows, and more.
Official Sonia Leigh Website
Sonia Leigh Myspace
Sonia Leigh - "Run or Surrender" Review
1. Your influences cover a wide range from Bob Dylan to The Cure to Springsteen. How do those influences effect your sound and what of your own ideas come into play to make it your own unique sound?
I feel that anything you put into your mind, inadvertently comes out in some form. My own experiences and emotions mixed together with my influences enable my sound.
2. Everyone has different approaches to songwriting. What is your process for crafting your songs both lyrically and musically?
Sometimes a song will come so easy that it seems to "write itself." Sometimes a melody will come to me on the guitar and inspire lyrics...other times, I will have a lyric or chorus pop into my mind and they melody will just come to me.
3. How important do you think it is for artist to write their own, original songs, rather than using an outside writer's song and why?
I don't think there is anything wrong with using an outside writer. Many times it is hard for people to write about their emotions, and if someone else can help capture what you need to express then that means someone will sing it from their soul. I think it depends on what you want to do as an artist. I like to write my own songs, however, co-writing is also a way to be inspired to write differently than you normally would.
4. You recently released your third album "Run or Surrender." For your longtime fans, what similarities and what differences will they find on this album in comparison to your previous releases?
I think that I matured as a writer with Run or Surrender. I decided to stick to one particular style with this record. It was not overproduced and gave the fans something they could take home and put in their CD player, that was not that much different from my acoustic shows.
5. You brought in John Hopkins from The Zac Brown Band to helm the production board for "Run and Surrender." What input did he bring to the studio that impacted the overall sound of the album and brought out the best in you?
John insisted there be no percussion on the record. He had a vision as we were selecting the songs for the record. I wanted to have a lot of guest singers/players, and John encouraged me that I did not need that to lean on. He told me that my writing was strong enough to stand on its own and make its own mark.
6. Which one song from "Run and Surrender" stands out as your personal favorite and why?
I really like "Ribbon of Red." I wrote it about the red carpet and finding true love and not being afraid of it....trying to hold that magic for a lifetime and then meeting it again on the other side, in the afterlife.
7. Without a major record deal behind you, how important have today's outlets like myspace been to advancing your career and getting your music out there to people?
Myspace has been a great help for networking, gig swapping, finding gigs, etc...I think the internet plays a very important role for unsigned musicians today.
8. Having been in this business since you were 14, do you feel that a solid album or solid strings of live shows is more important to someone's success?
I think the two go hand in hand. The more I play, the better I get, and that keeps me developing as a writer/musician.
9. You are known for having a very powerful live show. As someone that has never seen your live show yet, what can one expect to see in your show that is different than what they'd hear on the album?
The record is definitely more acoustically based. When I play with my band, our sound is obviously more "rockin and rollin." We try to keep our band shows high energy and interactive.
10. What piece of advice can you offer someone that is looking to break into the music industry?
Play as much as you can. Talk to as many people as you can. Find a mentor and ask for advice. You will be surprised who is willing to help if you just ask.
