Sophie Hutchings Ensures Connection Through New Body of Work
Sophie Hutchings. Credit: Luke Dubbeld.
Sophie Hutchings is an Australian composer who creates stunning piano-led work that is equally inspired by outside living and a mindful lifestyle. In the past, she has talked of an idyllic childhood, surrounded by nature and her family’s similar love for music. Sophie’s Father was obsessed with all things jazz, and her brothers heavily into the rock scene, it took Sophie a little while to understand her potential, and what her true sound could be.
Sophie’s music has been recognized around the world for its intimate melancholy. Described as ‘exhilaratingly beautiful’, Sophie expresses herself through keys in such a personal way. Her unique relationship with her composing is clearly being recognized by a substantial number (upwards of 80 million!) global listeners. There’s something accessible about Sophie’s approach to music. It’s like a welcoming smile that invites you to take what you need.
As she leads up to the release of her Love & Keep EP, Sophie’s first single of 2021, Not Alone, looks for relatability and a feeling of connection during lockdown. A very poignant topic that many of us are trying to understand ourselves. The EP is something to connect to within the enforced lockdowns, to focus on in a weirdly and utterly alone in a still noisy, fast-paced world. As a sometimes introverted person, Sophie has always lived alongside insomnia. This means that Sophie needs the routine and calm that she has cultivated in her everyday life. She utilizes music for this reason, for its mediative, medicinal benefits, and invites other to do the same. Much as she views the natural environment around her. Amazingly, the upcoming EP was recorded in the dead of night, between midnight and four am. It is something that Sophie has done a few times, so she knew that it would be worth it in the end. Sophie took advantage of the expansive quiet that lay before her that morning and even recorded an improvised track that she didn’t know she would have energy for.
In this set of releases, Sophie explores a familiar battle between over connection due to technology and social media. She describes herself of being aware of how everyone around her is being affected by a given situation. Sophie is someone that values her own time, but ultimately, the first single from the EP realizes the importance of significant people in your life.
Her second single, Elysian Days, looks at beauty found in past relationships, and reveling in them in the present. Sophie says, “With all the sudden changes and unpredictability that has developed over the past year we can tend to look back and appreciate the simple things that we perhaps took for granted and now value as extremely precious. Elysian days is reminiscent of winsome memories, having something to live for by keeping the past alive and centering our minds around the optimism of having that back again. “
We spoke to Sophie about what mindfulness means to her within the musical sphere, as well as finding connection and the surprising, quiet beauty of night-time. In a situation that was unfamiliar to her, Sophie grasped onto what she knew the most: her ability to experience calm in music. We wanted to find out what Sophie would take with her into the rest of 2021, as well as the bigger meaning behind her work.
LB: There is clearly a link for you between music and being mindful. How is your music mindful for you?
SH: Playing and writing music takes you into that very visceral part of your being. You’re not really aware of anything whilst you’re in that moment. It’s not like you’re not feeling anything you most definitely are, you’re just not thinking and that’s the beauty of it. The music does the mindfulness for you and your inner self isn’t meandering elsewhere. You've entered that present state without even really realizing it. That’s how music is mindful to me.
LB: Wow, that is so powerful to hear. It seems like the musical creation process is so much more for you than composing sound. Considering that you’ve really thrown yourself into music this past year, how has your music helped you through lockdown?
SH: Like any creative expression, I think it's very cathartic. Sometimes the things we feel can’t always be put into words and music replacing that is kind of special on its own, so it’s often the thing I turn to. In lockdown, I made it a part of my daily routine without any pressure to just sit and play.
LB: Routine is clearly important to you. It sounds like you have refined a routine that works well for you and your self. Is there a link for you, between music and connection?
SH: I think there is a huge link. To me, it's what makes the world go around. How we feel, inspire, absorb, invigorate and engage with life is hugely connected to music in every way for me.
LB: Absolutely. Music can connect so many dots, and that is something that is vital for so many people facing the enforced lockdown right now. Finally then, what does this EP mean to you?
SH: As it was recorded in the middle of the night it became a bit of a sleepy reflective affair. There’s a contemplative beauty to the night. I guess It draws upon the shifting nature we sometimes find ourselves in and even though I would say as an introverted extravert who tends to recharge from spending time alone, one recognizes (especially in times like these) the importance of human interaction and connection and how it’s a fundamental part of our makeup.
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Thank you so much to Sophie for spending some time with us today. It is refreshing, and educational, to hear the way Sophie talks about her music. She talks about it as a part of her, something that soothingly comes so naturally to her. There’s no ulterior motive, success for Sophie appears to be living in the moment. Using music as part of a bigger picture.
Listening to Sophie’s new music reminds us to slow down and be grateful of where we are. Even in the most unpredictable times.
