Meet Sofia Delicari | singer/songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sofia Delicari and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sofia, what inspires you?
The creative potential of darkness. The tension, ambiguity, and fertility preceding daybreak’s clarity. Drama springs not from fairytales and sunlight but from the psyche’s secret, forbidden corners. In my artistic work, I try to discover these dark corridors of the soul and find the lightness and beauty in them and embrace the shadows. I’m inspired by nature: the good, the bad, the ugly, the universe’s resources bestowed upon us as human beings. I’m inspired by spirituality and purpose. I love to find the meaning of things or my interpretation of signs, signals, and omens. I am also very intrigued by human nature, how people interact with one another, our subconscious patterns, and how they influence our interactions with the world around us.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I would define myself first as a storyteller and then a musician. When first starting to write, I struggled in terms of defining how I wanted to express myself; whose story was I trying to tell? When I began writing music, I felt too constricted by the rules and limitations of the structure of songwriting, and the nature of how to expand and experiment with chord progressions. I struggled to find meaning within why I was doing what I was doing; a part of me felt this was “selfish art”; contemplating: was I making art for the sake of being an artist? However, I soon realized that I felt falsified because I wasn’t truly allowing myself to fully immerse myself in my music and writing. I realized my love of music came from a place of extension and exploration; being able to express my inner self while simultaneously expanding into an infinite field of alternate personas, with a multitude of different experiences.

I allowed myself to take on different characters, putting myself in someone else’s shoes within my music depending on what I was trying to impress. Music is a way to find connection and resonance within a singular experience (whether your own or not) on a universal level.
From a younger age, I was always captivated by artists who, in a sense, seemed supernatural, whether that was in style, musicality, or lyricism, like angels and aliens on earth extending their art as wings for their audience.

In terms of today’s music industry, I have found that we live in an era of paradox; social media gives one the ultimate freedom to promote themselves and expand their audience. However, it simultaneously creates a complex algorithm where already known artists have more privilege to promote. When I released my first single, “Cigarettes Into Stars”, I began a promotion on Instagram that started capturing the attention of the public. However, as I was not part of a label company or had anyone in a position to further promote me, I was restricted from furthering the promotion right at the peak of its exposure, as I was not a verified business.
And while social media gives an artist the freedom of control over the creation of their image, it is a juxtaposition as it removes a sense of intimacy with its proximity and exposure.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
On day one, I would give my guest a tour of my favorite locations in Central Park. Nature, peace, and bliss within the bustling city. I love when things have a twist, and Central Park perfectly encapsulates the combination of man vs. nature, the tamed areas perfectly entwined with the wilder twists and turns. My favorite places in Central Park are the Alice and Wonderland statues, The Conservatory Garden, and the Belvedere Castle, and a stop for food at Le Pain Quotidien next to Sheep Meadow. On day two, an expedition of museums, The Met, The Museum of Natural History; we would end at the MoMa where we can have lunch or dinner at The Modern. On the third day, I would take us to Astoria, Queens for lunch at my favorite Greek restaurant, Agnanti. On the fourth, I would take my guest to West Side Records, the store is like a time capsule, with walls covered with CDs, and rows and rows of vinyl records; following this, I would take us for a walk along the Hudson River and the Pier, and end up at Chelsea Market for Ice Cream, Crepes, and to check out the bookstore. A visit to New York City isn’t complete without a day in Coney Island. On the fifth day, my guest and I would go ride as many rides as possible, have what feels like a near-death experience on the Cyclone, and end the day with a walk and food along the boardwalk.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My Greek grandmother, Elpida Delicari. She introduced me to Greek classics, myths, and music and showed me how to find inspiration in my authenticity and culture and to always embrace your roots and where you come from.

Instagram: @sofiadelicari

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtmmdRPZtPfhnv66pg25PSA/playlists

Other: spotify: Sofia Delicari apple music: Sofia Delicari

Image Credits
Image 1: Photo Creds-Bella Brown Effects-Gaby Dreyman Image 2: Photo Creds-Lydia Venieri Image 3 and 4: Photo Creds-Bella Brown Effects-Leo Glasgow Image 5: Photo Creds-Wilfredo Ortiz