What We’ve Been Listening To: Sophian

Perth-based indie-rock outfit Sophian has just unveiled their latest offering in the form of “Georgia“, a shimmering single produced by Dave Parkin at Blackbird Studios. From the outset, “Georgia” captivates with its gorgeous guitar chords, suave keyboards and gently guiding drums. Frontman Sophian Manik’s sugary vocals add a layer of charm to the track’s charismatic verse, which elevates towards a mesmerizing chorus, swaying with vibrancy and spirit.

The band’s chemistry is showcased in the buoyant bridge, as fuzz-laden melodies collide before a gang-vocal break heightens the song towards a purifying finale. Sophian shared the inspiration behind “Georgia,” stating, “We want to inspire and spread happiness with this song. The song itself is about a sailor falling in love with a mermaid but finding it difficult to maintain the relationship given their differences. It’s also a metaphor for what relationships in real life sometimes can be like. Things can be tough, but you can always work on turning them into something positive. We love the ocean and the beach. So, it was only natural for us to explore a song which would incorporate the ocean and also campfire vibes of bringing people together.”

Sophian’s ability to craft an ethereal soundscape that’s both atmospheric and dreamy has been a highlight throughout their discography. The band’s vocals, production and instrumentals are in perfect harmony, and they consistently deliver tracks that are both infectious and thought-provoking.

To celebrate the release of “Georgia,” Sophian answered a couple of questions for Eat This Music as part of our “What We’ve Been Listening To” series.

Dig in and enjoy.

Who is Sophian and how did the namesake come about?

Sophian is an indie-reggae rock band hailing from the shores of Western Australia. Having formed in early 2022, they have already taken the local music scene by storm having sold out shows and jumping on bills with some big names. Led by frontman Sophian Manik who is brand new to the scene, Sophian is the next indie pop-rock band you need to get to know!

Consisting of Sophian, Tyler, Michael & Julia, they are highly skilled and experienced musicians who collide with a variety of influences from Coldplay to Kings of Leon, Spacey Jane to Jeff Buckley that create a dynamic, genre-fusing and energetic performance.

Sophian promises to bring you on a journey with them through skillful storytelling and their warm and vibrant presence.

Our band name is my full name. Everyone calls me Soph, but the band name came about during one of our very first practices. We were all having a sit-down and deciding what we should call our band. I insisted that I’m pretty open but the one thing I didn’t want was for us to just pull out some silly name from somewhere. I wanted the band name to mean something. Our drummer Tyler then insisted why don’t we just call the band “Sophian”. He said it was such a unique name and not one you hear very often and that it could be a cool name. At first, I thought it was a bit funny to call the band my name but then the more we all spoke about it, it just kinda felt right!

What artists or bands are on your must-listen to list lately and why?

A local Perth band called South Summit. Firstly, their music is excellent. There is absolutely nothing we can fault with it. Their frontman Isaiah has one of the most unique voices out there and will melt you to your core when you hear him sing! Chances are you might have already even heard of these guys. They are absolutely killing it at the moment, and we have no doubt these guys will make it to the very top. If you get the chance to go see them live, don’t even think about it twice. Their live shows are absolutely ELECTRIC!

https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1286377447

Which guilty pleasure songs are reluctant to admit to listening to?

Wind Of Change – Scorpions

I don’t even remember when I first heard this song but all I remember is all my older siblings listening to it as I was growing up. So, it must have gotten stuck somewhere deep in my brain. Now, whenever I am having a relaxing moment and want to listen to a song, this is my first choice!

Which song of someone else’s (artist or band) would you have liked to feature on and why?

Always Beside You (feat. SIX60) – COTERIE

It’s such a simple but amazing song that just makes you feel so happy. The chorus of the song is a great sing along and I would have just loved to lay down some vocals on it and join in on the big family vibe the song gives off!

Which song, or songs, of yours, would you recommend to a first-time listener and why?

I would say our most recent single ‘Head Above Water’ and then our first song ever ‘In love’. I think both those songs really help show our journey and growth as a band and can help set the mood for you in terms of where our future musical direction may be going!

What led you into using music as your creative outlet, and keeps you making music?

I was super young when I started to play music. Maybe about 8 or 9. But at the time I was living on a tiny little island in the Maldives, and I always felt my musical dreams were way too big and I could never achieve them there. It was only after I moved to Australia and got to meet the members of my current band, is where I really felt like those dreams I once had as a child could come true. I guess that’s one big reason why it keeps me making music. It’s because I know that with hard work you can make your dreams a reality. Music is one thing that’s really helped me express a lot of things I never spoke about as a young kid. I finally feel like I can write about how I’m feeling and hopefully help other people along the way who are and have been in similar situations and feelings.