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About Sofie
Through a rich creative journey spanning three decades, Sofie Reed has evolved as a skilled vocalist, composer and one-of-a-kind musical visionary. She is a self-taught, independent, internationally touring grassroots artist. Music aficionados all over the world love and appreciate her unique and soulful style. Her soundscapes encompasses roots & blues, folk-blues, soul, R&B, jazz... However it’s termed, Sofie thrills audiences with her extraordinary artistry and charisma.
Sofie has a meticulous nature and deep dedication to her artistry. Her phrasing creates a style of storytelling not so common these days. Sofie's free spirited lyrics range from the art of the double entente in songs such as Funky Rattle, Tinder, The Village Rooster; to beautiful story telling. Sofie's deep connection to nature and social dilemmas influence her writing. She often use nature as the root metaphor, like in How You Flow, and several other titles. Red Hen is a word play inspired not only by an old worldwide folk tale “The Little Red Hen”, the lyrics also reflect Sofie’s experience working as an independent, woman artist. She’s an adventurous creative whom explores many styles of music without borders, many call her a “musicians musician”. A “muse”. Sofie’s drive, discipline and focus is admirable. She continues to expand her single-handedly built foundation, a ‘house' of music. To diligently and tirelessly create ones own path takes a very special kind of spirit.
History
Sofie left Ludvika, Sweden, as an eighteen year-old young adult in 1987. She settled in a 'less preferred hood' of Minneapolis, on her own. She started off freelancing as a stylist within the local music scene, until one of her clients, Sheila Charles, daughter of Ray Charles, hired her as a back-up singer. That pivotal encounter led to Sofie performing session work throughout the Twin Cities; movie scores, commercials, backup singing.. She created workshops around the art of singing and writing songs (to this day). Working with Sheila also introduced Sofie to Paisley Park (Prince) where the facility director at the time, Craig L. Rice, heard Sofie’s music and contacted her in an interest to support her talent as a young, talented songwriter. Morris Hayes was one of the handful of musicians Sofie collaborated with. Mr. Hayes went on to work for Prince as his music director and keyboard player for 20 years. Another key experience in Sofie’s quest to evolve her writing was being introduced to the remarkable composer, Willie Murphy. This lead to a friendship as well as ‘mentorship’. Mid 90’s, Sofie married finger-style guitarist Preston Reed. The two performed as a duo around the midwest. Eventually, she left Minneapolis and moved to Colorado, where she recorded her first CD “Baby Boo Got Gone” with Jeff Pevar guitar (and other string instruments), John Magnie, piano/accordion, of The Subdudes, Steve Amedée, percussion, of The Subdudes, Billy Rich, bassist, Taj Mahal Trio, Mark Diamond, upright bass. “Baby Boo Got Gone” was a top seller at CDBaby (Blues/Americana). Though Sofie earned a lot of followers through her debut CD, substantial support was no where to be found. At the age of 40 she started learning to play the dulcimer and lap steel guitar and began a 6 year learning curve to coordinate foot-stomping on an amplified wine-box, while playing dulcimer, lap steel guitar, Lee Oskar Harmonicas and singing.
“Simplicity Chased Trouble Away” (2012), Sofie’s first SOLO CD release, gained further followers in the States and Europe. She crowned herself as a 'One Woman Band’ touring all over the planet!
Today there’s five CDs (and a few singles) in Sofie’s catalog:
WISH FREE (2019)
Sofie Reed featuring Mark A. Haynes
ROCKY ROAD (2017)
Sofie Reed & Russell Jackson
RED HEN (2014)
Simplicity Chased Trouble Away (2012)
BABY BOO GOT GONE (2004)
All of Sofie's music will soon be available right HERE at Sofie's website!
“Sofie Reed is a multi-talented artist who gives so much of herself as a performer. With varied talents as an incredible, soulful singer and instrumentalist, Sofie also plays the harmonica. She is a phenomenal one-woman band! Her sense of rhythm, phrasing and overall artistry make her one of the most interesting artists on the international music scene today. I'm thrilled that she plays Lee Oskar Harmonicas as she sure knows how to bring my favorite instrument to life with finesse, flair and great feeling.”
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