Extreme Karaoke – SOFIA ISELLA
There’s something disarmingly sharp about Sofia Isella – a clarity that cuts through illusion and lands somewhere between poetry and provocation. Drawing from the emotional extremities of Sylvia Plath and the sonic worlds of Trent Reznor, she speaks with a self-possession that feels both confrontational and deeply human. In this Q&A, she reflects on power, family, dead flowers, and the strange normalcy of success – even when it arrives with handwritten notes from Taylor Swift. What emerges is an artist uninterested in myth-making, more drawn to truth, instinct, and the quiet force of knowing herself.
Outside of your art form, where do you draw inspiration from ?
Poetry, visuals, experiences . Love Sylvia Plath, Anne Sexton, Margaret Atwood .
Where do you think your personal power comes from ?
A lot of self respect .
Is there something you learned or believed early in your career that you’ve since outgrown or disproved ?
I used to believe that there could be some man in a fancy building who could find you and basically press a magic button and your career dreams come true due to his supreme power and knowledge . Nobody in this industry knows what we’re doing, we are all fucking around .
Within your immediate circle — friends, family, chosen family — who inspires you the most, and why ?
My parents . They are very driven and hilarious people and we constantly move forward together .
What’s something you return to again and again — a book, a place, a habit, a memory ?
Amazing question . Anything with nostalgia, usually my favorite memories involve nighttime singing in the dark with people I love .
When do you feel most yourself ?
With my family .
What’s the best advice you’ve ignored ?
Hahahah don’t jump into the crowd .
How has your understanding of success changed over time ?
I think deep down I used to believe that successful people must be having 500 consecutive mental orgasms at all times in their life, and it changes you entirely and you see the world from different eyes . Which logically I didn’t agree with but I think I still felt that when I was young . I don’t think it fully sinks in for people until they have success how absolutely normal you feel .
What’s a recent moment that surprised you ?
The amount of people that have tattoos of my face . Which is one . Which is a lot .
How much of a role do other artists play in inspiring your work ? (& who are they / how ?)
I love sonic worlds artists build . I love Nine Inch Nails, Fiona Apple, recently just got into Geese and they are phenomenal .
How instrumental is collaboration for you ?
I sometimes bring on a co producer, but lyrically and melodically, not another soul has touched . Some songs no one touches at all, even production wise. like The Doll People and Everybody Supports Women and I Can Be Your Mother was just me writing/producing/recording alone .
Is there a specific vibe, genre or instrument that moves you ?
Very visceral sounds . The sound of flies in Muse instantly put me into a location and a feeling, that’s a great example of what I mean .
What is the one thing you hope people take away from your music ?
I want to change minds . I love debating people and making a clear point . Music is such a powerful way of doing that, and it’s easy to swallow something that rhymes .
What is your favourite song to cover ? (or sing at karaoke ?)
I don’t do karaoke, my whole job is extreme karaoke, but I do love singing in a group very passionately and horribly . Usually ABBA and Queen .
What is your most prized possession ?
The note Taylor wrote me before I played Eras tour . And all my songwriting notebooks since I was 8 .
What is the first album you bought yourself ?
A folk artist from my summer fiddle camp .
First memory of live music ?
Summer fiddle camp . People playing at the open mic .
Go to: comfort movie / TV show ?
The Good Place . The Hunger Games . Or Twilight if I really wanna turn off my brain but have a great time .
Who is on your dream collaboration list ?
Billie, Trent Reznor, obviously Taylor .
Are there any creatives you'd like to platform right now ?
Saya Gray is great . “Like I’m Young” by Avery Tucker .
What are you holding whilst posing for an oil painting?
A bell pepper .
What do you own that you should throw out, but can’t?
I like dead flowers . Anytime someone has given me flowers, I keep them and they die and become very nice and crunchy . I actually do need to throw them out though, I think they have mold .
People are coming over to dinner, what are you serving?
Either face, or a noodle dish .
You have a free plane ticket, where are you going?
Tokyo or New York .
Why do you think we are here on planet earth at this time?
Absolutely no idea . I think we should just all have a good time and be kind to each other .
What's the weirdest dream you've ever had?
I can control my dreams and I was very good at it as a kid and one time, I realized it was a dream and I had to not say it out loud because the dream would get mad at me and turn into a nightmare .
If you could learn one new skill instantly, what would it be?
Languages .
Images 1. @okaynicolita 2 + 3. Out in the garden Art 4. Screen grabs from Out in the Garden (Official Lyric Video) 4. Jasper Graham