Welcome back to our Next Up interview series. Let me introduce you to this week’s guest, Sophie Castillo, a singer, who’s elevating soul music to new heights.
I’m really happy to have you here. Upon my research, I’ve seen that you were born and raised in London, by a Colombian mother and a Cuban father. What was it like growing up in a Latin household in the UK?
It was a truly enjoyable experience. My family has a deep connection to their Latin culture, even though they relocated to London in their adult years. Despite the expense, we made a point to travel back to Colombia as often as possible. As a result, I was surrounded by Latin music, enjoyed Latin cuisine, and spoke Spanish from a young age. This created a beautiful hybrid experience for me. Additionally, I was exposed to a significant amount of British culture while attending school.
I saw that you went to Colombia a few weeks ago.
I recently returned from Colombia. The journey took me from Florida to Colombia and then back to Florida again. The reason for the second trip was my grandma’s birthday. We wanted to surprise her and organize a little impromptu birthday celebration.
Upon listening to your music, I noticed that you like to mix English and Spanish lyrics together. How did this come to be? Was it something that came naturally to you?
Since I was quite young, around 15, I began writing music in a proper studio. Over the years, I always felt the desire to incorporate my culture and heritage into my work. When I started releasing my current music, I was certain that I wanted to infuse Spanish into it. Spanish, being such a romantic and beautiful language, holds a special place for me. Singing in Spanish feels incredibly passionate and central. Initially, I started with predominantly English lyrics but sprinkled in a bit of Spanish, even if it was just spoken. As I continued to write and release songs, I found myself incorporating more and more Spanish into the music. I draw inspiration not only from the language itself but also from the sounds and romanticism of Latin music. Spanish, when sung, exudes a different vibe compared to English, and I love blending the two to create a unique and diverse musical experience.
All right, so you’ve been singing since you were 15, right?
I’ve been involved in singing since childhood. I can’t recall a time when I wasn’t singing, dancing, or acting—I even dabbled in musical theater when I was quite young. The entertainment industry always held a special place in my heart. I knew from as early as three years old that I wanted to pursue a career as a singer. Fast forward to the age of 15, and I began frequenting the studio, recording, and honing my songwriting skills. It’s been a journey filled with passion and dedication ever since.
That’s so cool, I’m impressed. After watching your videos and listening to your songs, I could definitely see that there’s a huge Kali Uchis influence. Am I right? And who else gives you the inspiration to create music?
Absolutely, I have a deep admiration for artists like Kali Uchis, Lana Del Rey, Carol G, and Billie Eilish. They are some of my favorites, and their work profoundly influences me when I’m in the creative process. Kali, in particular, captivates me with the seamless fusion of English and Spanish in her music—it’s incredibly beautiful and well-executed. Lana Del Rey has held the top spot in my favorites since I was 13, and her poetic songwriting style has been a major source of inspiration for me. Learning from her lyrical and melodic approach has been a significant influence on my own creative journey from a very young age.
Alright, that’s great to hear. Are you the one crafting all the melodies for your songs?
I handle the entire songwriting process from start to finish—lyrics, melodies, and I also take on a co-producing role. For tracks like “Call Me By Your Name” and “When the Sun Goes Down,” I co-produced them. Typically, I initiate the songs at home, building demos and working on the initial production. Afterward, I collaborate with a producer to bring the songs to life. Even when working in the studio, I’m deeply involved in the production, offering input and ensuring my vision is reflected in the final product because being actively engaged in the creative process is something I thoroughly enjoy.
That’s really cool! I also saw that you’ve done a collaboration with Splice, an album full of cumbia, bolero, cuban style beats. I also saw you composed an unreleased song with these beats. Are you writing all of your songs yourself, and how do you find your inspiration behind your words?
Oh, that was a blast! I had the opportunity to take the reins on that one and produce it myself. They requested a short track using Splice samples, so I dove into Splice, picked out the ones I liked, and crafted the song from there. It turned out to be a great exercise for me in producing something independently, and I thoroughly enjoyed the process.
I found it really enjoyable to listen to. Is producing something you’re considering doing more of in the future?
Absolutely, that’s the plan. I aim to gain more experience and gradually transition into producing my own tracks. When I’m writing songs, I already have the entire sound envisioned in my head—I essentially produce it mentally. While I try my best to convey that vision in my demos, working with producers is fantastic for bringing in fresh ideas. However, for those instances when I have a very specific vision for a track, producing it myself would be the most effective way to bring that vision to life.
Yeah, exactly. I believe having your unique imprint is crucial. I also saw that you’re mixing indie and Latin music, giving off a huge aesthetic of an ethereal siren core. How or where did you find this style, and what do you want it to inspire your listeners?
I’ve always been a bit of a dreamer, being a Pisces and all, so that ethereal siren vibe has been my thing for as long as I can remember. I’ve been drawn to mystical and ethereal elements, and growing up, artists like Lana Del Rey and Kali, with their siren-like and ethereal qualities, became major inspirations for me. Even as a child, I was fascinated by sirens, mystical things, and ethereal aspects. When I started making music, the ethereal sound just flowed naturally—it wasn’t a conscious decision. It was an organic expression of my experiences, personality, and influences. Once I saw that it resonated with people, I embraced it and continued down that path. In my music, I aim to create an essence of ethereality and a siren-core vibe. I want listeners to feel sensual and empowered in their femininity, and it’s incredibly fulfilling to hear from people who resonate with that and express how it brings those feelings to life for them.
I believe Kali and Lana are both Cancers, if I recall correctly. Pisces and Cancer are known to be highly compatible, so we could definitely be friends. It’s that water sign connection, for sure.
Perhaps someday, you’ll collaborate with Kali, you never know!
Speaking of festivals, I absolutely enjoyed the experience of performing at one. The atmosphere was incredibly fun and vibrant. There’s a festival in the US, I believe it’s called SXSW. Just mentioning it makes me want to look it up; SXSW looks genuinely amazing. It’s located in Texas, and I think it would be an incredible opportunity. Generally, I’m open to performing at any kind of festival, and the idea of traveling to another country for a performance is something I find very exciting.
And maybe you’ll come to perform in France!
France is among my top five listener countries, and I was pleasantly surprised to find Germany up there as well. It’s really cool to think that people in Germany and France are enjoying my music even though Spanish isn’t their main language. I feel incredibly honored and happy that they connect with my music. It would be a dream to have a show in Paris. Hopefully, one day that opportunity will come to fruition.
Absolutely. During my visit to Paris earlier this year, I explored the Latin Quarter, and it was such a fantastic experience. There were numerous Latin restaurants, shops, and bars, and I had such a great time. I found this Colombian restaurant that was so delightful—I ended up going there three times. The food was excellent, and the owners were incredibly friendly. We kept dropping by, even if it was just for a coffee.
I wrote that song in a peculiar way—it happened on Christmas Day, more than a year ago. One of my family members had gifted me a small MIDI keyboard for Christmas, and inspired by the gift, I decided to create something special. I had this idea in my mind for quite some time; I wanted to delve into Bachata, a genre not explored much by UK Latin artists at the time. I envisioned being the first to give it a try and infuse my own style into it. So, on Christmas Day, I wrote the song—it felt like a wonderful present, not just for the occasion, but also a gift to myself in the form of the song.
Later, I took the composition to a friend who assisted me in refining the guitar parts, cleaning up the bass, adding percussion, and giving it a more authentic Bachata sound. He, too, is Latin and did an excellent job in bringing my vision to life. The entire process led to the song’s release in March—I believe it was around the second of 2022. I paid attention to the numbers and felt that there was an abundance of positive and fortunate occurrences around the release. The song became a manifestation of luck and good vibes, making the whole experience quite special.
Do you also play instruments?
I dabble in playing the guitar, although I admit I’ve fallen out of practice. In my younger days, I used to play much more. Occasionally, I pick it up to write songs, particularly for acoustic compositions. However, I wouldn’t consider myself a guitar pro, and I get a bit nervous about performing with it. Singing and playing the guitar simultaneously is quite challenging for me—it requires a level of coordination that I find difficult to achieve. It’s a skill that demands a lot of practice and coordination.
And what are your short-term goals to finish this year on a good note?
This has been a long-standing goal of mine, and now it’s finally coming to fruition. I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be collaborating on a song with Desta French, another talented UK Latin artist whom I’ve admired for years. We’ll be finishing the track this year and releasing it in the coming year, marking a significant accomplishment for me. Additionally, I have a new song set to release on November 22nd, making it my final release of the year. It’s a particularly special song, and I’m genuinely excited to achieve this goal.
Looking ahead to next year, I’m eager to dive into more live performances, potentially taking the stage abroad or joining someone on tour. Another major goal is to work on an EP, a project I’ve just begun. Crafting a substantial body of work filled with love is something I’m passionate about and ready to embark on. There are some exciting projects in the pipeline, and I’m looking forward to what the future holds.
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
In five years, I envision being in a significantly different situation. My dream is to have a vast global audience connecting with my music, fostering meaningful conversations. I aspire to attain global success with my music and, more importantly, create a lasting legacy for the UK Latin community and music scene. It’s not just about personal fame; I want to go beyond that. The UK has yet to see a globally renowned British Latin artist, and I aim to fill that void, leaving behind a legacy for future generations of British Latin artists.
I want to establish communities, platforms, and spaces that make it easier for upcoming artists to gain recognition. Many people aren’t aware of the vibrant UK Latin scene, so I hope to change that perception and, by the time the next generation arrives, have created spaces for them to thrive. My goal is for people to recognize the UK as a hub for exceptional Latin music and eagerly anticipate the work of the next wave of UK Latin artists.
In the coming years, I also hope to collaborate with some of my favorite artists, such as Kali Uchis, Lana Del Rey, Rosalía, and others. These ambitions drive my vision for the future.
Why not organize additional events with the community you’ve built?
Desta and I are currently in the planning stages for a Latin female artisan marketplace set to take place in a few weeks. Our aim is to create a platform where women can showcase and sell their products—businesses led by women for the Latin community. While it’s not entirely music-focused, we envision having some musical elements, including singing a few songs and featuring artists. We’re actively working on organizing this event and are enthusiastic about the prospect of hosting more gatherings like this.
That sounds wonderful! Once you have the date finalized, just let me know. Looking forward for the details! Now, I have a last question for you; what does True Urban Culture mean to you?
For me, authentic urban culture revolves around community, consistently keeping in mind who you’re doing this for and the social messages you aim to promote or advocate. It’s about having a significant message at the forefront of every endeavor. Beyond merely creating Latin music or conforming to the norms of other Latin artists, it’s about leaving a lasting legacy and building a strong sense of community. True urban culture always carries a special message and supports a community it deeply cares for. It’s all about fostering a sense of community in everything you do.
Amazing, is there anything you’d like to add?
No, I believe you’ve covered everything well. I thoroughly enjoyed the questions. The only additional point is to inform everyone about my upcoming single, as I mentioned earlier. It’s titled “3AM,” and it’s set to release on the 22nd of November. You can pre-save it now. This particular piece is going to be quite special—it’s an acoustic song, very stripped back. It offers a unique opportunity to focus on the lyrics, delve into the story, and experience the intimacy of vocals and guitar. I hope you all enjoy it; it’s a blend of sweetness and sensuality.
All photos courtesy of Sophie Castillo
Check out Sophie Castillo’s latest single, 3AM below.
