Guest of the Month March 2013: SOHN

Leaving the lonely night-time streets of London for the mountainous landscapes of Austria, multi-instrumentalist and producer SOHN (pronounced Sonn) draws his inspiration from the dichotomy that exists between the two. Reacting to Vienna’s legendary immersive electronic scene, SOHN has created a sound that blends his haunting vocal stylings with a backdrop of analogue drum machines and synths, mixing the worlds of old and new together to create a foundation for his tracks. Aside from emphasising the soulfulness of his voice, SOHN’s lyrics play upon the space that exists within language, twining his vocals around the gaps between sentences, and reclaiming the importance of words.

Through British Music Abroad funding SOHN is being supported to travel and perform at this year’s SXSW festival in Austin, Texas. He told us:
“I was delighted to hear I’d received funding for SXSW from the PRS for Music Foundation, it’s really taken the pressure off and allowed me to think about doing what I need to at the festival – perform at the best of my ability.  It’s great that such funds exist and can help UK artists to represent their art internationally.”

What 5 pieces of music or performances have influenced SOHN recently, or he would tip?

BANKS – Before I ever met you
The LA singer-songwriter is set for big things things I think – I did a remix for her, I loved the track so much.  It’s bold, dark, a scary take on love even.

Atoms for Peace – Ingenue
Great song by Thom Yorke’s ‘new’ project, and a great video to accompany it.

Rudimental playing at Eurosonic Festival
I played before them and the sheer energy and enthusiasm those guys have for music is infectuous.

Rhye – Open
Another one I’ve remixed, though this one is sultry and sensual.  It’s great to see Rhye follow up this year with a great album.

SOHN – Bloodflows
Well, it’s all I’ve been listening to for the last 3-4 weeks whilst preparing it, so to say it’s been influencing me is an understatement.