Interview with Sofia Evangelina

(photos via Promotion People)

1. I know you, but some people may not.
So could you please introduce yourself to the world?
 
"Hello World! My name is Sofia Evangelina! I am a Canadian young teen award winning RnB/Pop singer-songwriter and I'm on my journey towards changing the world with my music and with what I stand up for as an artist."
 
2. What was your first job in the music industry?
Also, what did you do before that?
 
"My first job in the industry must have been when I was 3 or 4 years old, entertaining the whole crowd waiting to rent out their favorite blockbuster flicks, yes in "Blockbusters" remember it used to be a thing! It was a long line so it was boring to wait so I put on a little show! At the end, I was so honored with the kind attention of my new "fans" bestowed upon me that even tried to sell my very own merchandise, which was a handmade string bracelet with a few plastic beads. Obviously limited edition!!
The first time where I felt super “professional” as aperformer was when I was 7 and my music school was having their first recital. The recital was at an elderly retirement home, and I treated it as the biggest task in the world. I wanted to bring joy to all of the adorable elderly folks, entertain them with the songs that I had worked so hard on!They were charming and took me seriously investingtheir full attention!  I was rewarded by many cheek squeezes, hugs and kisses and them telling me that we had made their day, which made my day... Before my complete immersion into the entertainment world, I was a professional extreme sports athlete, believe it or not."
 
3. Did you study music before getting into the industry?

"I was singing on and off,  balanced this with my sporting life, and I definitely did not have that "musical prodigy" type of story where I began playing piano with my eyes closed at 3 years old or started songwriting at 2.  But music was so ingrained in me,  somehow it had to get out! So for the lack of music literacy, I created my own kind of … not sure how call them, petroglyphs? hieroglyphs? …some symbols and with these symbols, I invented my own sonic language to write down my musical ideas and than read them later... It was not until I “retired” from skiing at the age of 15, when I immersed into the music world and I dived into learning piano, guitar, theory and composition and now I just can't get enough of it!  Never late, eh?"
  
4. If you could work with anyone you’d want,
who would that person be and why? 

"Christina Aguilera, she's been my life long inspiration! Not only she has a phenomenal vocal range, and is a breathtaking performer. She also carries such a strong value system as an artist, as a woman, and to me, that means more than any musicality. She conveys such powerful messages through her songs thathave impacted many lives, all by just being herself and speaking her truth. At the same time, she is so sweet and feminine. That is a kind of brand I really resonate with. I really can't wait to meet her in person, to learn from her and about her, to collaborate on songs and I’m sure having a great time doing it too!"
 
5. What does a normal day in your life looks like?  

"Normal… What is normal? haha!
I am pretty sure the “normal” in my life is absolute crazy spontaneity. 
Let's have a little glimpse into, a typical day of the week (I could be on the road next week and it would be a totally different answer)... It will include practicing my singing on my own or a vocal lesson with my coach in Nashville, via Zoom! We always have it at the same time so one day driving through mountain passes, we had to pull off the highway, find a signal and have my lesson! Then I would probably practice my piano or guitar, and later on the day, my dance class or choreography sessions or or either stage performance sessions or my acting class. It’s interwoven with some kind of training in music theory, writing songs or lyrics in my book or recording voice memos... And here comes the fun part …music business! There's a heck of emails I need to reply, post on social media, and listen to music biz podcasts with my mom (usually when driving) planning releases, etc... At the end of the day, I would definitely be cuddling with my mama bear, spending time with my adorable husky pup and oops...OMG, how could I forget …the HOMEWORK!!!"
  
6. Where is your favorite place to be and why?

"Los Angeles is my dreamland, it's my favorite place in the whole world and I'm convinced that I was “born” there, well my mom denies it, lol,  but I know for sure that my soul and spirit belongs there... It's the land of dreams with some sort of kinetic energy that connects everybody who has a passion and who does whatever it takes to make it happen, you can feel, smell and touch all of that in the air, it creates these vivid colors and I think that is why LA is so colorful, and I want to live in that color, I want to live in that painting and contribute my brush strokes to it, too."
  
7. If you could, what would be the one advice
you would want to give to your younger self?

"I love my life and the way it's been lived, including the ups and downs, and value the lessons I've learned. But If I could go back in time and give myself advice, it would be for what I am just learning now, to walk away from any person and/or every situation where your worth is not being valued or appreciated. You must know your worth and shine it through everything you do and never let anyone ever try to diminish it. That was a hard concept for me, as I’m a very giving person. I love people and always see the best in them. But I came to the realization that it's my duty to respect myself, my goals, my life purpose and ultimately my mission and so it becomes a necessity to not let others to make your dream hostage."
  
8. What is one of the best advice that you’ve got?
Who was the person that gave it to you?
 
"I’ve definitely received some great advice from many wonderful people, but at the end of the day, it’s always been my mom who leaves the biggest mark on me... A powerhouse of talent herself, she’s taught me everything I know and I feel honored that she believes in me so much and guides me to become who I dream to be... One of the best advice she's given was <If you want something bad enough in life, there’s no chance you can't succeed>. My life is repeating proof of this... When you put your mind to something, then a hard work, it's almost scary how the magic starts happening and all of these hidden pathways opening, and all these walls disappeared like they never were there… Most likely there will be new obstacles, new setback and new failures, but hey, you know the drill - you gotta go... That also can sum up into what what my great grandmother "Zosia" (which is a Polish version of Sofia) told my mom when she was a child, and she told me and I will tell my kids <When you take one step towards destiny, destiny takes nine steps towards you>"
 
9. What is your biggest accomplishment so far?

"I am very humbled and honored to be a winner of many awards, but the most prominent accomplishment to date, was my recent winning at the Young Artist Awards, "Best Album" category. Winning the award still reminisces a dream. I am beyond grateful for the award and proud, amongst so many talented youths to be an Academy member... It was a magnificent catapult into the world, symbolic to the beginning of my career."
  
10. If you could be on a stage any anywhere in the world,
where would that be and why?

"Boy oh boy! What a tough question, there are so many places that I cannot wait to travel to on my sold-out stadium tour! From places like my historical Russia, all over North America, Asia and Europe. Not to forget South Africa and Nigeria, where I have many new friends now... Will be it easier to say, over the world? A huge dream of mine is performing at the Grammy’s, also the halftime show at the SuperBowl... Those will be performances I will work my entire life towards, it’s a vision I’ve had my whole life, When I reaching these goals I’d know I’ve made it."

11. Is there anything you can disclose about any new project?

"Absolutely! Eeek! I cannot tell you enough how excited I am to release my new music to the world. It's been 2 years of vocal progression, artistic development and brand definition since my debut album “Butterfly". There are three new songs that are to be releases consecutively and they are badass! Can’t wait to share with the world! Please connect with me on social media and subscribe to my newsletter to stay tuned towards the release dates, and for very special merchandise announcement."

12. What is the best part about being a musician?

"Music is my heartbeat... I believe the best part of being a musician is being able to use your truest, most vulnerable and electric emotions to create art that speaks its universal language to the hearts of others... And being able to make an impact, in so many different ways.  I believe that music is the way to change our world to the better, empower people, eliminate negative trends, and I’m passionate about making my contribution to this transformation."
 
13. In the end, is there anything you’d like to say to the people who support you?

"To my mom, my dad, and truly my whole family, you mean the world to me and I love you more than words can describe, your belief in me gives me wings. I’m also so grateful for my friends, my professional support team and my fans who believed in me from day one and have never looked back since, it means so much. And thanks to you for the interview!"