We had the good fortune of connecting with Sophie Dorsten and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sophie, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
What makes me happy is my music. I love creating new songs – writing them, performing them for others, and hopefully recording them for an even larger audience to hear them. I love sharing my music with others; to be uplifting or even just so others know we all go through the same stuff.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Well first of all, I am only 17 so I am definitely still growing in my music. I have a passion for it and I am most proud of my originals songs; I love performing them for others. I have very supportive parents who help me so much in all of this. We are constantly learning about this business and how to reach more people and how to market me and my songs. Getting people to hear my songs and know my name is where we are right now, of course it would be so cool to be heard by the “right” person whatever that means, but performing my songs is what I love. We work hard at getting exposure for my originals. I have released many songs over the past several years; my first one when I was 13 called “Beauty of the Heart”, it is an ep of 3 originals and a couple of fun covers. My next single was “Letters of Lies” followed by “Leaves” and then a beautiful ep with 3 originals, titled “Roses.” I then released a singled titled “Growing” which I wrote for my Mom for all she does for me in this crazy music life.  “Phasin’” was released in April of this year and is a song I recorded at Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock with the help of a friend, Austin Moore (The Proudest Monkey); we co-wrote it and he produced and mixed it. That was the first time I had collaborated with someone else in writing and creating a song. We had a blast and the song is so fun. I also recorded a song called “Tomorrow” out in Nashville with producer Jordan Lake this past February. This was such an amazing experience and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it. It releases May 15, 2020. The song is so beautiful; I wrote it about the unknown for what tomorrow holds. I am senior and graduating in the next couple of weeks and I wrote it not knowing what to expect and that can be scary for some. I feel this song may have a different meaning for some now with all that is happening in the world.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love Phoenix. I was born and raised here and love seeing different parts of it. For my performances I do see a lot of the city and surrounding areas and I always enjoy exploring new areas. I’m from Gilbert and I’d have to pick spots around here first; all the amazing restaurants in downtown Gilbert and fun local coffee shops; I love sitting in Coffee Rush to do homework and always take friends there. I love shopping and love the shopping up in Scottsdale, but also really love second hand shops like Buffalo Exchange in Tempe. I find so many cool clothes there; some still with tags! I am looking forward to getting back out and enjoying some of that shopping soon I hope.  I enjoy walking the zoo as well in the cooler months and then at Christmas time for the ZooLights.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Wow, there are so many people who have helped or do help so I want to mention a couple. Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock is a non-profit organization that I have been a part of for years. They provide free lessons for teens 12 to 20 in music; vocals, guitar, piano, drums, etc., and dance, art, photography, and video production. I have volunteered there for about 3 years either through giving free vocal lessons or in performing at their events. They have helped get me some pretty cool shows and opportunities over the years; as well as even meeting some pretty amazing and famous musicians that want to give their time to the teens. Another I have to mention is Dani Cutler of KWSS 93.9. She is a huge supporter of local music and loves to introduce new artists and their music to her listeners. She has done so much for the local music community here in Phoenix, and she’s also just a pretty cool “scene mom” taking care of us.

Website: www.sophiedorstenmusic.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophiedorstenmusic/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SophieDMusic1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sophiedorstenmusic/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ1HXeaHMhufukZkjYNLE0g?view_as=subscriber
Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5CdWY3kUKjlO7gDpdW2JXR?si=On1p60qlSjO4uGOqTyGKMw

Image Credits
David Majure Ryan Clark Kelly Kuehn Photography