While most of our readers primarily associate Albumism with our penchant for celebrating music of the past, our staff is just as excited about discovering new music rooted in the here and now as we are in stoking our nostalgia for the classics. And we receive a ton of new music every day, so much so that we admittedly don’t have the time to listen to even a fraction of what’s sent our way.
Thankfully though, every now and then, the good stuff finds its way to our eager ears. Such was the case last month, when Sophie Auster’s excellent History Happens At Night EP arrived in my inundated inbox, accompanied by her publicist’s polite inquiry about Albumism premiering the project. One quick listen to the soaring, sophisticated pop of “If I Could” and sublime “Leave The Door Open” was all the convincing I needed to reply to the request in the affirmative.
Currently on tour in Europe, the Brooklyn bred singer-songwriter with three full-length albums and now two EPs to her credit stole time away from seducing audiences overseas to share more about her ever-evolving songcraft with me, and the highlights of our exchange can be found for your reading pleasure here.
Congratulations on the arrival of the History Happens At Night EP and thanks again for letting Albumism introduce it to the world via our recent premiere! Juxtaposing this pair of songs with your previous work, there seems to be a marked shift in the overall sound, toward a bigger, more sweeping, more propulsive dynamic. Does this signal where you’re planning or hoping to take your music form this point forward?
Thank you! I am in a very happy place in my life right now, so I wanted this to come through in the new music. Uptempo and joyful songs haven’t been a huge part of my repertoire, but I am actually a very upbeat person. I wanted to challenge myself to write songs that felt like me, but that people could dance to as well. I think these two songs are definitely indicative of the direction I’m going in now. Obviously, I will continue to have variety, different colors, moods, and tempos, but I’d like [producer] Daniel [Schlett] and I to make a whole album together and take these tracks as our inspiration and direction.
Living in New York City, I know firsthand that a lot of history does indeed happen at night. Can you talk about why you selected this as the title for the EP?
There is a 1937 film starring Jean Arthur that has the title History Is Made At Night. I liked “Happens” more and I decided to use it for my EP title. I think this title is both mysterious and evocative of being on tour. I knew I’d be touring during the time of the release, so it felt very fitting. I’m currently in the tour van as we do this interview!
In speaking about “If I Could,” you’ve mentioned that your aim was to produce the feeling of “diving off a big mountain with your arms spread, but an invisible net catches you.” Do you feel that the song achieved this goal?
Yes. I’m really happy about how “If I Could” turned out. I wanted something emotional, but also fun and dancey. I was listening to a lot of Kate Bush at the time and I love how she captures a feeling of exhilaration and drama. I wanted the song to break in the bridge for this very reason, come back up, and breakdown in the chorus, and then fly at the end. I call the chorus breakdown my “Molly Ringwald” moment, because it makes me want to have a dance montage.
You recently unveiled the video for “If I Could.” What was your vision for the video and what can you tell us about how it all came to fruition?
When I first started thinking about the video, I knew I wanted the storyline to follow a couple. The song is really about taking a chance and following your heart, so I knew the video had to be a love story.
My husband, Spencer Ostrander, photographed one of the video’s stars, Jari Jones, for a playboy spread featuring trans women of color, and ever since then we have all become good friends. Jari is an amazing singer, actress, and trans activist. She is one of the most photogenic and captivating people I’ve ever met and I knew I wanted her in the video. Originally, I wanted Jari’s real-life girlfriend, Cory, to star in the video as well, but she was busy and couldn’t make the shoot. So, Jari suggested I call Basit. Basit recently starred on the LGBTQ MTV dating show Are You the One? and is an amazing singer, dancer, and performer as well. The song is about falling in love and taking a risk. I wanted to feature two people who live their life boldly, out loud, and unapologetically. Love is love.
“Leave The Door Open” references a fight that you and your husband had, and you’re quite candid about the argument’s emotional aftermath. Why did you decide to sing about it and how does your husband feel about the song?
I process real life experiences by making them into songs. Especially when I’m writing about something that really happened, then the song almost writes itself. By writing about our fight, I’ve taken something negative and turned it into a positive. Spencer really likes the song, and I’m glad he does, because he better buckle up for a lot of songs written about him!
You’ve grown up with two accomplished and revered writers in your home, so I’m eager to know more about how your mother (Siri Hustvedt) and father (Paul Auster) have influenced and empowered your approach to songwriting?
I think all the books I read as a child and the art I was exposed to helped my songwriting a lot. My parents told me to write every day, no matter what. Songwriting has been part of my daily routine for a long time now and I’m thankful for their encouragement.
Your music is tough to pigeonhole—in a good way—and draws from multiple reference points and styles, so I’m eager to know which artists or musical movements have had the most profound impact on the development of your musical and lyrical voice?
Tom Waits, Fiona Apple, Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley, Stevie Wonder, Dusty Springfield, Elvis Costello, Nina Simone, Roberta Flack, Peggy Lee, Billie Holiday, Gershwin, Rodgers and Hart have all been big influences on me musically. Other inspiring movements have been French new wave cinema and surrealist poets like Tristan Zara.
When you think about cultivating a successful career in music, how do you define “success?”
I think success is being able to make your art and being happy. This, to me, is enough.
It’s currently a busy month for you, as you’ve taken your songs on the road overseas. Is the reception to your music in Europe different than what you’ve observed stateside? And what do you hope the audience takes away with them upon experiencing your performances?
Every audience is different, but I have noticed that American audiences are rowdier than European ones. The audiences I’ve played to in Europe are very respectful, quiet, and engaged. I hope people appreciate the trio set up with drums, tracks, keyboard, and guitar. It’s intimate, but still very vibey and full sounding. I also hope people respond to the new material and just simply have a good time! And buy lots of merch!
OK, last question. In the spirit of Albumism, what are your five favorite albums of all time?
Tom Waits’ Asylum Years, Aretha Franklin’s Aretha In Paris, Miles Davis’ Miles In Berlin, The Beatles’ The White Album and Joni Mitchell’s Blue.
SEE Sophie Auster on tour | Dates
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