Interview with UK Latin Pop Artist Sophie Castillo
MuzicNotez: First off, it’s an honor to be doing this interview with you, thanks for taking the time to sit down with us. What motivated you to start creating music? What age did you begin?
Sophie Castillo: I’ve been singing since I was little and have always loved singing and music. I’ve wanted to be a singer since then and have worked towards it my whole life. I did musical theatre when I was younger and started recording music when I was about 15.
Who were your musical influences, idols, or bands growing up that have helped mold you into the musician you are today? Or helped mold the music that you create?
Sophie Castillo: I’ve loved Lana Del Rey since I was about 13 years old and she’s been one of my biggest inspirations since then! I’m also super inspired by Kali Uchis and Rosalía and I’d say they’re my top 3 favourites.
Facebook.com/sophiecastillomusic
Instagram: @sophiecastillomusic
TikTok: @sophiecastillomusic
X: @_SophieCastillo
What’s the ultimate goal you want your music to achieve, or for you to achieve in your career as a musician? Any particular message you wish to send?
Sophie Castillo: I’d love to represent the UK Latin music scene and show people that we have amazing music here! I’d also love to provide representation for Latinas in the music industry and diversify the representation as well. I want to bring a unique and exciting fusion sound to the music industry and always honour my culture and community. My ultimate goal is to be able to do music every day, tour everywhere and connect with people worldwide.
What’s the greatest concert you’ve ever been to or performed?
Sophie Castillo: I watched Desta French at the Jazz Cafe two years ago and it was honestly incredible! She performed amazingly and it felt like the whole Uk Latin community came together for this big moment. I’m actually performing with Desta and two other amazing Colombian artists JSCA and Milena Sanchez at the Jazz Cafe on 20th April which feels like such a beautiful full circle moment and I’m so excited! I think that will be my favourite performance so far. It’s gonna be amazing.
Your latest release is your debut EP ‘Venus’, which is really brilliant. What inspired this release? What was it like making it?
Sophie Castillo: Thank you so much! I’ve had the idea to make an EP with a very ethereal vibe, portraying the essence of womanhood and divine femininity for quite a while and I was waiting for the right moment. I’ve been inspired by everyday life, my journey and my experiences as a Latin woman as well as the experiences of the incredible women I’m surrounded by. Making the EP was so fun. I worked with a great producer Lennyn who I also worked with for my viral song Call Me By Your Name. We had so much fun making it and it felt like a really special project where we got to freely experiment with sounds and themes. We really didn’t hold back with the production and wanted to make something really unique.
You were born in London, but you’re parents are from Colombia and Cuba. I’d imagine your Latin sound is quite unique in the UK. How has it been received locally?
Sophie Castillo: People have been really welcoming and open minded. I know a lot of British people who love and appreciate Latin music and it’s coming more and more into the mainstream in places like the USA so I think it’s only a matter of time until the UK starts really getting into Latin music. I really hope I can be part of that.
No surprise to us with your talent, you went viral on TikTok. How do you think that happened? What advice would you give to other indie artists to go viral?
Sophie Castillo: Thank you! I was really consistent with posting on TikTok and still am today. I think consistency is key when using social media and I’d really advise artists to try to post as much as they can as you’re increasing the probability of getting your music out there and reaching new fans!
What else are you working on? What can we expect to see and hear from you in the future?
Sophie Castillo: I’m working on a lot of new music at the moment and new music videos! I just released a music video for my song ‘Ojos Lindos’ and I’m so excited it’s finally out. I’ll hopefully be doing lots of shows this year too and some festivals.