Soccer Mommy, the stage name of Nashville-born singer/songwriter Sophia Allison, has emerged as one of the most compelling voices in indie music over the past few years. After gaining recognition through her Bandcamp releases, Soccer Mommy’s music career took off when she signed with Fat Possum Records, propelling her into the spotlight. With four albums and a growing list of collaborators and tours with artists like Vampire Weekend, Phoebe Bridgers, and Mitski, Soccer Mommy has established herself as a mainstay in the indie music scene. Her latest release, *Evergreen*, is an intimate exploration of grief and personal loss, and it showcases a refined, stripped-back sound that sets it apart from her previous work.
In a recent episode of ‘Broken Records’, Soccer Mommy reflected on her musical journey, the evolution of her sound, and the creative process behind “Evergreen”. Sophia Allison’s relationship with music began early, as she started playing guitar at just six years old in Nashville. Growing up in a city rich in musical history, she was drawn to the craft from a young age, using her guitar as a tool for expression. By 2015, she began posting her songs on Bandcamp under the moniker Soccer Mommy, marking the start of her journey as a singer/songwriter. After relocating to New York to study the music business at NYU, Sophia eventually left school to sign her first record deal with Fat Possum, solidifying her path in the music industry.
Since then, Soccer Mommy has released four albums, including the critically acclaimed “Evergreen”, which represents a shift in her sound toward a more organic, stripped-back approach.
She explains how her songwriting process is deeply rooted in her love for alternative guitar tunings, including open D and open A. These tunings allow her to explore different textures and create unique chord progressions, which are often the starting point for her songs. She typically records initial demos on a Tascam four-track cassette recorder, giving her the space to experiment with ideas before fleshing them out fully.
The sound of “Evergreen” marks a significant departure from Soccer Mommy’s earlier work, as it embraces a more direct, laid-back approach. The album’s stripped-down arrangements feature string sections and the addition of a flute, which complement the reflective, emotional themes explored in the lyrics. The album grapples with the complexities of grief and personal loss, creating an atmosphere of introspection and vulnerability.
Growing up, Soccer Mommy was heavily influenced by the music her father played, particularly the works of Bruce Springsteen and The Who. She mentions her admiration of Springsteen’s ability to weave vivid narratives about American life through his lyrics, and this storytelling tradition has made its way into her own music. Her songwriting often features complex chord progressions and harmonies that add depth and texture to the songs, a characteristic she inherited from these early musical influences.
When it comes to her technical approach, Soccer Mommy discusses placing great value on creating organic sounds rather than relying on digital processing. She collaborates closely with her bandmates, particularly when it comes to crafting guitar parts, ensuring that each track feels cohesive and true to her vision. Her experimentation with effects pedals and studio techniques is also a key part of her creative process, with tools like the Hologram Microcosm pedal helping her achieve ambient, atmospheric vocal effects that add a unique layer to her sound.
For ‘Evergreen’, Soccer Mommy talked about using specific gear, such as the H3000 effects processor and Von Gan Ultra Sheer pedal, to experiment with textures and enhance the album’s ethereal quality. These tools allowed her to refine the sound and create something that felt both timeless and modern, showcasing her technical prowess as a musician.
