Photo Credit: @Banvoa
Despite Sophia Dashing penning a whole song about not taking a chance when it comes to love, the Atlanta-based singer has never been afraid to make creative moves. She danced through childhood, later focused on fashion, and today is all hands on deck when it comes to her music, including her latest single, “way i.” We talked about her journey to get to where she is, as well as where she’s heading in this back and forth exchange.
Kendra: Your journey in the arts spans back to childhood when you were in choirs and took up dance. Having been a professional dancer for over a decade now, how do you think that discipline has helped when it’s come to songwriting and singing?
Sophia Dashing: I danced professionally in my childhood, but throughout my teen years took a break from dance to focus on the arts and Fashion Design. I was homeschooled throughout my childhood as well due to my strenuous schedule of dancing and singing, so with that, I’ve withheld discipline for sure, and applied it to my daily life! It’s not hard to keep up discipline and drive when you’re doing what you truly love though! I’m very grateful that I’ve found my passions in this life.
Kendra: An interest in fashion led you to Paris a couple of years ago, but then COVID forced you to pack up and head back to the US and it’s then you sort of started to focus more on music. Do you think that everything does indeed happen for a reason in this regard?
Sophia Dashing: I 100% believe that everything is orchestrated and aligned the way that it is supposed to. I let my faith lead me with everything I do in life, and I find a lot of comfort in the phrase “Everything happens for a reason”. I think it’s beautiful that the universe tugged and pulled me to jump back into what I truly have loved more than anything since I was a little girl which is singing, dancing, writing, and performing. Sometimes you have to try different avenues and lanes of things that interest you in life to come to a conclusion that you’ve always known what you’re meant to do from the very beginning!
Kendra: You’re back in Atlanta now. A great place to build a career in entertainment. Have you been able to take advantage of what that city has to offer despite the awkwardness we’re currently living in?
Sophia Dashing: Absolutely, Atlanta is a phenomenal entertainment capital and I’m blessed to be born and raised in this amazing city filled with outstanding talent and admirable creators. I work with Grammy award-winning producers and choreographers that have long lists of working with the top artists and performers, which inspires me daily. I’ve met some wonderful people in the entertainment community in Atlanta and I’m grateful that I’ve found an amazing team that pushes and motivates me to be the best artist I can possibly be.
Kendra: You dropped your fourth single, “way i” back in December. It’s one many can relate to, that idea of being into someone but standing still, not taking any sort of action. Was this inspired by anyone in particular, or is this more a culmination and imagination?
Sophia Dashing: I am a songwriter first, and I’m heavily inspired by the day-to-day events that take place in my life. I write a new song every single day. I’m inspired by anything and everything, and all of my music contributes to personal experiences that I have gone through. ‘way i’ was a true story of a situation I went through. It was difficult for me to navigate through the feelings of longing and desire that came from wanting more with the person that I had caught feelings for. So of course, I decided to write the song and it came very naturally. A lot of healing came through just writing out how I was feeling. Songwriting does that for me, and I’m so in awe and in love with the entire process of making music. It’s beautiful to me how art can be healing and empowering even if it came from a difficult experience. Just the release of it all is incredible to me.
Kendra: On top of all your creative endeavors, you’re also an LGBTQ advocate. How do you feel more artists could help push things forward for the community?
Sophia Dashing: Yes! I’m a part of the LGBTQ+ community. I am bisexual. It is so incredibly important to me as a Queer artist and human to advocate for human rights and equality. I am a huge humanitarian and will always do whatever I can to use my privilege and voice to speak up for what is right. I think educating yourself is very important, and is the first step for anyone who wants to help with pushing forward change for the community. We still have a long way to go, but listening, understanding, and compassion with people educating themselves on propelling change in the LGBTQ+ community, goes a long way!
Kendra: With it being March, I’d love to know what song you feel lucky enough to have heard in your lifetime? Like, what’s a song you’re thankful has existed while you’ve been here?
Sophia Dashing: One of my favorite songs of all time is “Spotless Mind” by Jhené Aiko. The song is about embracing change, and understanding that is inevitable in our lives, so why fight it? Embracing the beauty of each cycle and transition and life while staying grounded, and grateful for what initiated the change. It’s gotten me through several spiritual awakenings. I love all of her music and am very inspired by the spiritualness of it all.
Kendra: Lastly, with a handful of singles out now – what can fans both new and old be on the lookout for from you in the coming months?
Sophia Dashing: Fans can be on the lookout for new performances I’m getting ready for, new singles on the way, and lots of changes that are equipping me to move forward and get out there more as an artist! May will mark one year of me releasing music. 2022 will be so beautiful for change and expansion. I’m so excited for all that is to come this year. Thank you so much!