Tag: Sophie B. Hawkins

The London Ear on RTE 2XM // Show 62 // Interview with Sophie B Hawkins // Dec 31 2014

On this week’s show I’m delighted to speak to singer-songwriter, Sophie B. Hawkins. Sophie first came into the spotlight in 1992 with the massive ‘Damn I Wish I was your lover’. Her second album, Whaler, featured Right Beside You and As I Lay Me Down. Fans of Dawson’s Creek, will recognise Sophie’s track ‘Lose Your Way’ as it appeared a number of times on the cult television series’ soundtrack.

I first got to know Sophie in 2005, she came to Ireland to promote her album ‘Wilderness’. She did a couple of gigs and some radio and instore performances. I organised those, so I was delighted to be able to catch up with her again.

I think this was a great time to chat to Sophie, she’s recently moved back to her native New York city and is recording new music. I also took the opportunity to play some of her music, here’s what happened:

1. Sophie B Hawkins: Right Beside You
2. Sophie B Hawkins: California Here I Come
3. Chat with Sophie B Hawkins Part 1
4. Sophie B Hawkins: Sinnerman
5. Chat with Sophie B Hawkins Part 2
5. Sophie B Hawkins: Lose Your Way
6. Chat with Sophie B Hawkins Part 3
7. Sophie B Hawkins: Betcha Got A Cure
8. Sophie B Hawkins: As I Lay Me Down
9. Sophie B Hawkins: No Connection
10. Sophie B Hawkins: Angel of Darkness
11. Sophie B Hawkins: Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover
12. Sophie B Hawkins: Strange Thing

Thanks for listening, You can listen live every Wednesday at 1400 and the repeat of show is aired on Sunday nights at 2100. You can listen to the show again on the RTE player. On next week’s show I’ll be chatting to Jamie Lawson about going on tour with Ed Sheeran.

The London Ear on RTE 2XM // Show 62 // Interview with Sophie B Hawkins // Dec 31 2014 by Nessy on Mixcloud

January 2, 2015
Robin James Hurt: The Market House E.P. Review

Folk music and me have a long standing complicated relationship. Once it goes to diddly aye territory, I’m outta there. Hearing the new E.P. though, from Robin James Hurt (with the Band of Moonlight Love) has given me quite a smile.

The CD opens with an original instrument composition, ‘The Doonbeag Waltz’, a tender mandolin led piece beautifully intertwined with delicate guitar and string arrangement.

Hurt has taken traditional songs and given them his own arrangements. Traditional instruments are flanked by drums and bass guitar and Hurt’s raspy vocals make these songs his own. (more…)

June 8, 2011
Lady Gaga: Born This Way Video

So one of the things the record companies will have to sort is getting videos ready for release the same day as the audio goes to radio. I think its a really good idea to have the tracks available to buy as they start getting airplay but it might be a good idea to get the videos ready too. There’s been what? a two week delay on this..if people can see, hear and buy tracks at the same time, I think it may have even more impact. But what do I know

Here’s Gaga’s new video, the egg thing at the Grammys makes sense now. She’s an alien.. Actually while we’ve all heard the Madonna comparisons on this, I think in parts of the monologue Gaga sounds like Sophie B Hawkins. Check out Listen from Tongues and Tails or Darkest Childe from Timbre.

February 28, 2011
Sophie B. Hawkins: The Land, The Sea and The Sky

Anyone who knows me will know I’ve been a fan of Sophie B. Hawkins, ever since I wore out my first copy of ‘Damn I wish I was Your Lover’ and had to buy a second copy. In 2005 I was lucky enough to bring Sophie to Ireland for the first time and was responsible for her bookings and PR, so please excuse me if I’m a little biased.

‘The Land, The Sea and the Sky’ is Sophie’s first single from her fifth studio album, ‘Dream Street and Chance’. It’s an environmentally themed track and quite similar in production values to Sophie’s album ‘Wilderness’ and unmistakably Sophie B. One thing I’ve always like about Sophie’s music and production are the little percussion-esque sounds (are they sea shells?) that appear, hearing something different each time. The verses build nicely to the chorus and the track never seems to dip again after that. Sophie’s vocals are almost pleading throughout and towards the end, the string arrangement lifts the track again yet again before all instrumentation dies to the words ‘I’m coming back to you’, revealing a songwriter who seems very aware of her own morality.

Its unfortunate that the lyrics could have been written last week.

Sophie has always been an activist, someone looking out for our little blue planet, including protecting Sea turtles. ‘The Land, The Sea and The Sky’ has been around for a while and for fans was an obvious choice as a first release. This however, coincides with the BP Oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico and Sophie has been vocal in her thoughts about it and how it has been handled in the US, by both Barack Obama and by celebrities who give their name to worthy causes at the drop of a hat. She has even written for the Huffington Post and appeared on Fox and Friends.

While I don’t think anyone can doubt or question Sophie B. Hawkins’ individuality, I hope people don’t think that this is just a way for Sophie to get publicity at this moment in time. As all proceeds from the single are going to WaterKeeper Alliance, I really do think that Sophie is just trying to get publicity going for the campaign and to make people aware of the effects. If you look at the video for Fox & Friends, Sophie encourages people to go to the Gulf and help with the clean up.

Career wise, Hawkins is also currently writing a musical for Kristin Chenoweth of ‘Glee’ fame. Dream Street and Chance will be released through Trumpet Swan Records. You can buy The Land The Sea and The Sky through iTunes or from Sophie’s website.

June 19, 2010