INTERVIEW
Sophia Mengrosso grew up playing piano and harp and loving classical music. Now the singer and songwriter is making a name for herself in the world of rock and metal music. But she didn’t trade one for the other.
“I still love classical music,” she says. “At some point I started listening to rock just by accident and discovered bands like Metallica and Evanescence. I never switched from one thing to another, it was just another genre and style I love.”
It was an Evanescence music video that first caught her attention, and it opened a whole new world for Mengrosso, who started voice lessons with an opera singer when she was 12 years old. As a teenager looking to show her personality and be a little bit different, rock music gave her the opportunity, and she was drawn to the intense melodies, soundscapes and lyrics.
“I love the style, even the clothing and the makeup,” she says. “I had a lot of friends who were into it, too. We didn’t do any crazy things growing up, no crazy parties. We were like musical nerds and that was our entertainment. We’d get together at someone’s house and play rock music.”
Her classical background, and the hours of training and critiques, gave her the discipline for everything else. But rock music gives her more freedom to move and express herself as a female singer, she says. She can write about everything she experiences in life, and she says the genre is a safe place to heal herself.
Mengrosso released her first single, “Dream,” last summer and has followed it up with two more: “Demonizer” and “Under.” They all feature blistering guitars with thick distortion, but Mengrosso’s powerful voice is the star of the show. She’s set to release her next single, “Unforgiven,” this spring, ahead of the release of her debut album, with 13 songs, in the middle of April.
“I really wanted to show powerful vocals and express my emotions through the vocals on the new song,” she says. “I was not afraid to show my voice. It’s my personal story from my past, about somebody who meant a lot in my life––a family member––and unfortunately it didn’t turn out well but I have to just forgive them and let go. I had to just dive into the past and go into the darkest parts of my soul to find the cure for myself. I don’t want to look back and just feel pain and sorrow. It’s about facing my pain and facing my fear and facing my anger because this is the only way to get through something that’s overpowering and emotionally draining.”
The new album will also be called Unforgiven and will feature the same talented musicians she’s surrounded herself with for her first three releases on guitar, drums and bass.
“I don’t have an official band yet but I’m working with musicians––very, very close friends––and we’ll see where it takes us,” she says. “We feel each other’s vibe and we’re on the same page and love the same music so it’s great to work with people like that.”
Mengrosso still plays piano and harp in addition to handling vocal duties.
“This is where my harp really belongs, I believe,” she says. “In rock music.”
That’s also Mengrosso staying true to herself and living her best life, and she wants to pass along some wisdom to others through her music.
“You’ve got to do what you like, whatever that is, and I’m not just talking about music because this is the only recipe for your happiness,” she says. “Don’t be afraid to face your fears and live through them. Go through shadows, whatever you have to go through to get to your goals and your ultimate happiness.Go and get it and just be yourself and you’ll always find like-minded people who think the same way. Staying true to yourself is a big message I have for people.”
Stay connected to Sophia Mengrosso on various platforms for new music, videos and social posts.
