A Sit Down With DJ Sophie Sugar

The UK’s Sophie Sugar has become one of the world’s hottest female producers in the last few years. She has the right name with Sugar, because not only is she sweet looking, but her music is extremely tasty. She has musical talent as she played piano for eight years and was infected with the vinyl bug at the age of six. As a teen she started visiting clubs and fell in love with trance.

 

“Being a female DJ is not just about looking pretty but not being able to spin good! You have to keep up with the scene, you have to promote your own self and – again – love what you do!”

 

How did you get involved with trance music? What experience did you have that started your love for this genre of music?
On my first holiday with friends in Ibiza in 1996 – I was already into dance music and clubbing but didn’t have a favourite ‘genre’ as such. While I was there, I heard BBE’s ‘Seven Days & One Week’ for the first time at Es Paradis and was completely blown away by it. I started listening to trance from that moment onwards!
Who were your early musical inspirations?
I have always loved film scores and in particular the composer Thomas Newman who has written incredible scores for films such as Road to Perdition, American Beauty and The Shawshank Redemption. I also love classical music from composers such as Vivaldi. When I first started producing, Armin, Above & Beyond, Paul van Dyk and Agnelli & Nelson were big inspirations amongst many others.
In the matter of Trance. Who’s your Trance hero?
Well, I like a lot of Trance DJs, Sasha, Digweed, but my true hero is none other than Armin van Buuren. Not just because he’s such a great DJ but also because he’s a real nice person. And also because he’s done so much for the scene, he’s brought DJing to a complete new level and era, and I, as a Trance DJ, am thankful to him for that.

Which DJ’s/Producers or Musicians to you look up to most?

There are sooo many! I’m a huge fan of John Williams who composed the music for Star Wars, ET, Superman & more recently the Harry Potter films – i can’t quite express in words how his music makes me feel. Also Thomas Newman, Hans Zimmer & many other composers. On the trance scene Armin Van Buuren, Above & Beyond, Chicane, Agnelli & Nelson, John O’Callaghan, Guiseppe Ottaviani – and many others.

You’re one of a select few top Female DJ’s in the world, Do you find that most guys are intimidated by your success as a DJ?

Ha ha – no – most of my male friends are DJs as well so i’m used to being within that kind of circle and they’re used to me doing what i do so it doesn’t seem like too much of a big deal!

What is the most important thing for you as a DJ?
Enjoying it and making sure that everyone else enjoys it!
Any other news we should know about?
Yes, it’s shaping up to be a really busy year which is great! I have a couple of new tracks – my first vocal project ‘Beside You’ featuring Rebecca Emely which will be coming out on Armada in the summer and another new track called ‘Together’ which I’ve also recently finished. I’m going to be launching a new monthly radio show very soon which I’m really looking forward to and continuing with gigs around the world!”

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