Those initial feelings when someone sparks your interest are a commonality we all share, and many a song has been penned about a crush from Jennifer Paige to David Archuleta, but Sophia Dashing came through with a new twist on the matter with her latest single, “Lonely.” We talked not only about the new track, but her performance at Atlanta Pride in 2022, and what’s to come from the Southern songstress whose star is forever on the rise. 

Kendra: You’ve seemed to have kept busy since the last time we talked…saw that you performed at Pride down in Atlanta. I’ve only ever gotten to go to LA’s Pride once many years ago, but I remember it being such a fun and lively time. Which I hope mirrors your first Pride performance, but yes – how was that experience? 

Sophia Dashing: Performing at Atlanta Pride was truly amazing. It was a dream come true for me, being a Queer artist that has attended Atlanta pride for years! So to be up on that stage amongst my community felt absolutely electric. Atlanta Pride was canceled for the past two years due to Covid-19, so the energy was impeccable and I loved seeing everyone’s beautiful faces in the crowd, so many people were singing along to my songs and it was the best feeling in the world!!!

Kendra: Your new single, “Lonely” dropped the weekend of Pride in October. Were they the first crowd to hear it in all its glory? 

Sophia Dashing: Absolutely! It was cool because I had a lot of the LGBTQ+ clubs that week that were supporting by playing “Lonely” which felt amazing. I have a music video that’s dropping for “Lonely” soon, and there’s some great choreography that we debuted for the performance in Atlanta Pride as well!

Kendra: Having a podcast dedicated to crushes, “Lonely” speaks to me on another level. I’m not alone though because having a crush, and those initial feelings of infatuation – who hasn’t been there, right? With that, for you – what’s a telltale sign that you have a crush on someone? Like, have you noticed a pattern in yourself when a crush starts to develop? 

Sophia Dashing: 100%! We’ve all been there. That’s why this song is super relatable. Loneliness is a feeling that every human has most likely felt at some point or another with meeting someone that catches our eye or sparks feelings. A tell-tale sign that I have a crush on someone, is when I’m thinking about them non-stop. And honestly, I’m kind of an “all-in lover” so if I start imagining fantasies, I know I am in deep with my crush.

Kendra: You noted that “Lonely” sort of takes us on this journey through pop and I felt that. To me, “Lonely” feels like the musical baby of Meghan Trainor and early Britney Spears. Each of them has gifted the world with inescapable pop songs. With that, what do you think makes a pop song timeless? 

Sophia Dashing: Wow, that’s such a compliment. Thank you so much! What makes a pop song timeless to me, is truly just the ability of “feeling and dance”. When I walk in a club and I hear a pop song that came out 20 years ago but you would never know because everyone is dancing to it on the dance floor. I think timeless songs create feelings and energies that make your body want to move and dance and to me, that’s just an indescribable feeling that only our bodies can translate.

Kendra: Speaking of gifts, with the holidays being right around the corner I’d love to know what artist’s discography you consider a true gift to music as a whole?

Sophia Dashing: Tinashe’s artistry is absolutely beyond and she’s an underrated artist that deserves her flowers any chance she gets. Her visuals, her dancing, her musicality, everything! I would love to collaborate with her one day and I truly think her discography is unmatched.

Kendra: Lastly, with “Lonely” out now, what’s on the horizon as we head closer to 2023?

Sophia Dashing: People can expect more music, more visuals, more performances and I would love to get into acting soon as well. All-in-all I would love to expand my brand and artistry to the next level because I’m doing what I love each and every day so I’m letting the universe guide me with that and wherever I go I’ll be grateful!