For an independent band involved with a genre that can easily grow stale for avid listeners, the biggest challenge it faces is setting itself apart from its peers. This challenge unquestionably applies to Sophia, an independent hardcore act from Nashville, Tenn.
The sextet formed in Nashville in 2005 and has worked diligently to create my morning; migration, the group’s debut full-length album, which follows its 2005 EP My Hands, My Greedy Hands. my morning; migration is a loose concept album about the human struggle to find hope in a world surrounded by hopelessness, through various themes that integrate the band’s faith with its overall message.
To avoid any confusion, Sophia is a Christian band. The members’ beliefs and ideologies are apparent in their lyric content, alienating some listeners. However, if the band makes a conscious effort to remain secular it could open doors for those who share different beliefs.
Musically, Sophia is far from mediocre. Along with its firm grasp of rhythm, the band tends to have a more atmospheric and less generic guitar tone. Not to say that this band is completely original, because the vocals are reminiscent of just about every other band in the genre. Despite this, the members are extremely tight-knit and have gradually progressed since the release of their EP.
Tracks like "Suffocating the Magpie" and "Sultans and Swans" are fine showcases of what this band is about. Every song has a sense of urgency and desperation, while maintaining an atmospheric vibe.
Winter 2007 saw the departure of guitarist and backup singer Austin Gros, which could have been a serious hit to the band because one of Sophia’s biggest standouts was the dynamic between lead singer Steven Lefebvre and Gros. However, the band recruited Ben Trimble to fill the vacancy, which ended up benefiting the group.
"Providence" and "Desertification" slow the album’s pace and showcase the group’s newest hire, while "A New Song For This Vulture" and "The Nightingale’s Darkest Night" contain some of the album’s heaviest moments. ?For a band that’s genre has grown stale and uninspired, Sophia has created a cohesive product. A group such as Sophia would be a perfect fit on Solid State Records as the band is far more talented than most signed to their roster.
As long as it continues to progress, Sophia has a huge future. Visit www.myspace.com/sophiarock to preview tracks from my morning; migration.
