EQ Music Interview with Sophie Grey.

There’s an exciting new force in pop who’s turning heads and lighting up stages across the globe — Sophie Grey. With her futuristic retro aesthetic, powerhouse vocals, and a fearless embrace of synth-driven pop, Sophie Grey. is giving off the same sort of creative energy that Lady Gaga radiated when she first burst onto the scene. Fresh from touring with Sting and performing at EQ Music events in London, the “retro electro” artist sat down with Raj Rudolph to talk about her love for the 1980s, her evolving artistry, and what’s next in her ever-expanding electro-pop universe.

Raj: Welcome back to the UK, Sophie Grey. How’s it going?
Sophie: It’s going great! How about you? You got back to the UK not too long ago, right?

Raj: Yeah, I came back in August. I spent a couple of months in Seattle over the summer, which was nice. It’s good to switch things up a bit, right? I’ve been wanting to chat with you for a while — you’ve performed at our EQ Music events, Cherrytree London, and SXSW London. It seems like life’s a bit of a whirlwind for you right now, especially touring with Sting! How’s life on the road?
Sophie: It’s been so inspiring. Seeing the tour from the inside and watching Sting perform live every night has been surreal. The first time I came to the UK was actually for the EQ Music performances in Camden — that show still stands out as one of my favorites! I’m really excited to be back. You and EQ Music have always been such big supporters, and I’m so grateful for that. Performing in London, and getting to share my music internationally, has been incredible. Being part of the Sting tour is a once-in-a-lifetime experience — he’s so inspiring and generous. He’s even had me on stage a few times, which was amazing. I just feel really lucky.

Raj: That’s fantastic! What’s the transition like from playing smaller rooms to big arenas now? Has that been an adjustment, or are you finding it pretty seamless as a seasoned performer?
Sophie: I’m still learning as I go — there are always surprises and little hiccups along the way — but honestly, it doesn’t matter where I perform. Whether it’s a small room or a massive arena, I just love connecting with people and sharing the music. Performing is exciting no matter the size of the stage.

Raj: You’re definitely full throttle ahead! It’s been great seeing your growth — and I loved that headline yesterday about you bringing Trevor Horn on stage! I literally just watched “Video Killed the Radio Star” again before our chat. How did that collaboration come about, and why did you decide to cover that iconic song?
Sophie: When I was deciding what songs to cover, “Video Killed the Radio Star” was always on my list. I’d been performing “Everything She Wants” by Wham! — which is one of my all-time favorite songs — but “Video Killed the Radio Star” felt like such a bold, theatrical challenge. It’s such a strong song to live up to, and Trevor Horn is an incredible producer and writer. I wanted to recreate this iconic pop track in my own style — something that fit perfectly with the retro-electro sound I’ve been developing. We reached out to Trevor, sent him the song, and I was so nervous. But he loved it! During soundcheck, he told me he appreciated my attention to detail in the production — that meant the world to me. We only needed one full run-through, and he played his neon five-string bass. It was unreal — a total out-of-body experience! Now that I’ve had a day to process it all, I’m still over the moon. It’s something I’ll never forget.

Raj: That’s such an amazing story — and what a milestone to have Trevor Horn’s seal of approval! Now, I have to ask — you’re such an ‘80s baby.’ I mean, you didn’t grow up in the ‘80s, but out of all the artists I know who are inspired by that decade, you really embrace it — from the synths and guitars to your music videos and visuals. How did that love affair with the ‘80s begin, and how has it shaped your current sound?
Sophie: That’s a great question! I grew up listening to a mix of genres and decades, so that definitely influenced me. But honestly, the ‘80s sound comes from me being a keyboardist. I’ve always been drawn to songs with heavy keyboard and synth elements. At first, I didn’t really understand why I loved that sound so much — it was just instinctive. Later, when I studied music and learned about production, it all clicked. The synth sounds, the energy, the drama — it all made sense. When I produce my music now, I almost always start with the keys and end up layering one or two synths as the core of every song. That bold, dynamic sound just feels like home to me — and I’ve never stopped chasing it.

Raj: Truly one of the most original decades for pop music. And I honestly feel like most songs today have some kind of ‘80s or ‘90s reference.
Sophie: I agree. Definitely!

Raj: There’s just so much to pull from that era. And with your musicality — you’ve studied piano, you work on your own production — it really shows. I think that gives you an edge, because you know how to authentically pull from that decade. So tell me, what’s it like shooting your music videos?
Sophie: Thank you so much! I love doing the music videos — they’re one of my favorite parts of the creative process. A lot of the time, they’re actually improvised! I usually start with the song and work really closely with my director and creative partner, Maximilian Stafford. We’ll go through the song together, talk about what we’re feeling, and then start scouting locations. That often sparks the whole vision — the wardrobe, makeup, and tone. For “Mommy Issues”, we took that to another level. We had amazing extras, and we wanted to create this ‘retro-electro universe’ — something that felt futuristic, like being in cyberspace, but with vintage touches. We mixed the electro vibe with nostalgic props and sets that feel familiar but slightly surreal.

Raj: One of my favorite songs of yours is “On Hold”. Could you tell me a little bit about that track and the inspiration behind it?
Sophie: Sure! “On Hold” is about being in a relationship where someone won’t give you a clear answer. They keep you waiting — saying ‘maybe,’ stringing you along — and you realize you’re tired of being left on hold. The song ties into the theme of telephones, which I use a lot in my music. I love those old landline sounds and the symbolism of calling someone — it’s such a nostalgic form of communication that’s fading away in the texting age. I wanted to make the song empowering — about taking back your agency and saying, ‘I’m not waiting around anymore.’ Funny enough, the writing process mirrored the theme! I started the production first, but the lyrics didn’t come right away. I actually set it aside for a couple of months — the song was literally on hold. Then one day, I revisited it, and everything clicked. I wrote the entire song in a single day.

Raj: Amazing! We know you’ve got deep roots in the ‘80s, but when it comes to contemporary artists — who are some of your favorite new acts right now?
Sophie: Ashnikko is one of my favorites right now. Her new album is incredible — I love the early 2000s references, and her lyrics are so clever and funny. It’s super empowering. And then there’s Tame Impala — I’ve been listening to the new album on repeat. I love that Kevin Parker is like a one-man band. He produces and plays everything himself — that’s something I really aspire to do. The song “Dracula” is a favorite right now; I love Halloween, so that fits perfectly!

Raj: So, your last EP Just Another Sonic Monday was released not too long ago. What’s next for Sophie Grey. in terms of new music?
Sophie: I’ve got a few songs in the pipeline that I’m really excited about. One of them is “Your Code”, which I’ve been premiering live — you’ll actually hear it tonight. It’s got these really dynamic sections that I can’t wait to share. I’ve been working on a few other tracks as well. All I can say is there’s definitely new music coming soon — and into the new year too!

Raj: Amazing. What are your thoughts on the age of AI — the world we live in now — and how it helps or maybe hinders the creative process?
Sophie: That’s a great question. Honestly, I’m not entirely sure how I feel yet. I agree with you — it definitely helps in some areas of life. But I can’t ever imagine getting rid of artists and writers. They’re the heartbeat of creativity.

Raj: Exactly. Well, it’s been wonderful chatting with you today. I’m really looking forward to your show tonight at The Hammersmith Apollo.
Sophie: Thank you so much, Raj! I love EQ Music — it’s always fun catching up with you.

With her distinctive retro-electro style, magnetic stage presence, and a knack for blending nostalgia with modern energy, Sophie Grey. stands as one of pop’s most exciting emerging voices. Whether she’s reimagining Trevor Horn classics, crafting synth-driven anthems, or sharing the stage with legends like Sting, Sophie Grey. proves that authentic artistry and passion for performance still shine brightest in the modern era of pop.