We Chat To Sophie Sugar about buying records at age 6, Working on TV, and the chance of writing a book...
Q:
So... Sophie Sugar...I know everyone asks you this, but I can't seem to find the true answer...what's your real name?
A:
Ha ha, good opening question - i don't think anyone's asked me before!! Well the 'Sophie' half of me is real and it almost feels like Sugar is my real last name now - but it's actually 'Forsyth'.
Q:
Do you ever introduce yourself as Sophie Sugar or Stick to your real name?
A:
Well, so many of my friends & family now call me 'Sugar' that i tend to only use my real name in banks & passport offices these days!
Q:
Where and how did DJ'ing and Dance music cross your path?
A:
Dance music was when i was in my teens - i remember the moment i walked into a club for the first time and just thinking 'wow' - my friends and i would go every week without fail. Before long we booked a holiday to Ibiza and never looked back from there! At parties i would always put on my favourite tracks and soon realised i loved mixing them together! DJing naturally progressed from there.
Q:
I read in your biog that you've been collecting records since you were 6 years old...now I'm assuming at that age you weren't collecting the latest house and trance?
A:
Yes, i got my first record player for Christmas when i was 6 and my mum used to take me to buy 2 new records every Saturday! And they most definitely weren't house & trance - ha ha!! Let's just say my early collection wasn't exactly the epitomy of cool!! But ironically when i look back, most of my records were love songs or songs with lots of emotion in them!
Q:
What could we typically find in a teenage Sophie Sugar's bedroom?
A:
Records, cds, clothes, shoes, make up - typical teenage things!! Actually pretty much the same as now to be honest! ha ha
Q:
You're production's have made their way into the world's best DJ's CD Wallets, where and how did you catch your big break?
A:
Thanks! I'd say it's been more of a gradual process than having had a 'big break' as such - but i guess the first track that started to do well was 'Call of Tomorrow' on Galactive in 2005 and then 'Fallen Too Far' - my first ASOT release in 2006.
Q:
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?
A:
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!
Q:
Two of the most famous quotes about you are 'The First Lady of Trance' and 'The UK's Foremost Female Trance Producer...has Trance always been your first love musically?
A:
From the moment i discovered it 100% yes!
Q:
Does it ever bother you that you're categorised firstly as "Foremost Female"... and not as "The UK's Foremost Trance Producer'?
A:
No, not at all - obviously it's nice to be recognised musically aside from being a female but it would take a hell of a lot to be recognised as the UK's foremost trance producer - there is just so much unbelievable talent out there...:)
Q:
While there is no doubt that you're a very talented DJ and Producer, Some critics would argue that a big part of your success has been due to your Image and looks? and who could blame them Let's face it you are an extremely good looking woman...what are your views on statements like that?
A:
Aah, thanks - that's very sweet but i really don't think so - It takes a long time to build things up, there was no overnight success or big break due to be being a female. I always say this but trance fans are incredibly discerning with regards to music and trying to base a career in the trance scene on looks quite simply wouldn't work! Obviously being a female and being in the minority is going to make you stand out a little but the music really does have to speak for itself.
Q:
Which DJ's/Producers or Musicians to you look up to most?
A:
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.
Q:
What don't we already know about Sophie Sugar?
A:
Another good question! Umm, i used to work on the show 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire'...??!
Q:
You've travelled the world DJ'ing in all corners... what has your favorite gig been thus far and why?
A:
It would probably be either be a very recent gig in Argentina, Buenos Aires Trance 2, or H20 - an outdoor NYE festival in South Africa - both packed out with trance lovers and totally rocking!!
Q:
Any embarrassing DJ Stories?
A:
Ha ha, yes def had my fair share of DJing escapades! Being asked to get on the mic to compere a fancy dress competition mid set, playing at a festival where the entire crowd of around 3,000 was seated and the front row was full of government officials in suits!! The list goes on!!
Q:
If DJ'ing and producing hadn't worked out for you the way it has, what would you be doing?
A:
I'd probably still be working in TV - or i've always loved writing so maybe attempting a book of some kind!
Q:
What are your current top 3 tracks?
A:
01.Bryan Kearney, Mexican Rave, Subculture
02.Ronny K vs Spectral ft Lenka, FOTC 2010 (Dub), Perceptive
03.Filo & Peri ft. Audrey Gallagher, This Night (Alex M.O.R.P.H. remix) Vandit
Q:
Any track that you never go to a gig without... something that just seems to work every time?
A:Armin Van Buuren - Communication.
Q:
Trance has seen it's share of twists and turns since it's early days, where do you see Trance going in the future?
A:
I think it will continue to go through phases where various sub-genres are more popular for a while as with all types of music but ultimately people will always love to dance and will always love music with emotion - so i think trance will be around in one way, shape or form for a very long time :-)
Q:
You're symphony podcast is up there with the world's best... how different is your podcast to what you would play in a live set if at all?
A:
Aah thank you! Musically Symphony is very similar to a live set, although with the show i only have an hour so tend to mix in and out of tracks very quickly - in a club i play more of each track and also tend to start my sets with something slightly less melodic and build the emotion from there!! With the podcast it's straight in there as no time to waste!! :)
Q:
Lastly... what does the near and distant future look like for Sophie Sugar?
A:
The near future's looking great! I'll be continuing to play around the world over the coming months including FREQ at the Warehouse Project on Boxing Day and Gatecrasher Moscow on NYE both of which i'm really looking forward to. Production-wise, my next two tracks Arlanda - a collab with Tom Colontonio - & Skyline - the follow up to 'All For You' will both be out soon. I'm also busy at the moment on a re-work i've been wanting to do for years which is almost finished :) With regards to the distant future, i'm a great believer in fate and what will be will be so who knows?! I'm just trying to enjoy every moment along the way!
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