Biography

‘Sophie Zeyl possesses a beautiful, clear voice and has the capacity to write songs which sound like they smoothly travelled from the pen to the guitar.’ (Music Maker, 2003) 

‘Singer/ songwriter Sophie manages in keeping her songs fragile and unpretentious. With a minimum of means she succeeds in reaching the maximum. Beautiful melodies together with substantial lyrics, and sung with the right feeling. Holland has gained an excellent new singer/ songwriter in her, and her songs could easily be released by a major record label.’ (FRET, Oktober 2003)

Sophie (26) has been active in the Dutch music scene for the past three years and performed regularly in various venues across the country and in the Amsterdam clubcircuit. In 2001, the Amsterdam television channel AT5 made a short documentary about her, and she performed live on their talkshow ‘De Zwoele Stad’. She performed for several radio programs; KINK FM, Radio Noord-Holland, national radio station VPRO, and TROS Muziekcafe, to name a few. She also played live at Dutch theaterfestivals like the “De Parade’, Oerol and the ‘Uitmarkt’. November last year, at the Paradiso in Amsterdam, she was awarded the prize for best vocalist at the national final of ‘De Grote Prijs van Nederland’.

Armed with her guitar and her somewhat raw voice, Sophie gives us intense, melancholic songs which are influenced by blues, soul, and country. Her lyrics are personal yet identifiable, her guitar playing is rhythmical, and her voice powerful and flexible. Sophie has collaborated in the past with some excellent musicians, using instruments such as lap steel, Wurlitzer and Hammond organ, resulting in a second demo.

Currently she is in the process of recording her first full-length cd with Anka Wolbert (Ambush) and Pieter Nooten, combining her more organic, acoustic sound with sophisticated electronics. Pretty, but also rootsy popsongs are layered with eclectic soundscapes, ranging from vintage keyboards, analoque effects and silky samples, to laidback beats.