My first ever memories were watching the Spice Girls on TV and fighting with my older brother for the cats attention.
I grew up in East Ham with my Portugeuese parents and moved to a tiny village in Portugal when I was eight. I would sing Fado with grandma Alice and ride my bike through the village with friends.
From my mother I’ve inherited her general madness and from my dad his sense of humour. The most useful piece of advice I’ve been given is to trust myself. My grandma Alice was quite fierce and taught me a lot about self value, the value of family and community. I came back to London as a teenager and every Saturday we would go to the Portuguese club and us kids would just run around while the adults organised the pot luck and sat around discussing Portueguse issues or watching the football. I felt quite protected and a bit of an outsider to my english friends here but I did assume that everyone had the same sort of upbringing just with different Saturday clubs. I got into music because I wanted to get my brother’s attention. He was really into music and would take me to concerts.
I love being a musician for the freedom to create, be honest, hang with friends, travel and be yourself.
The biggest obstacle I’ve had to overcome is not knowing people in the industry, which is quite overwhelming, also having to believe in myself, which is a daily challenge. And expensive rent!
My biggest breakthrough...happens everytime I write a song
The fiery personality can maybe give us latinos an edgy haha but it can also be detrimental. I would tell my younger self to chill out!!!
The funniest thing that’s happened to me in the UK…I joined a cult for 2 hours
All my encounters with the strangers I’ve met in smoking areas have been pretty memorable.
The kindest people I know are my neighbours, who continously take care of my cat chico when im away, recording or go on a night out. They are incredible!
My perfect Sunday in London is a long morning walk and roast with friends in afternoon at any pub. Bocconis in Shepards Bush. Ravenscourt Park. Or a Portuguese tasca, Max's in Brixton mostly. If I didn’t live in London, I’d like to live in… Mexico 100%
My favourite word in English is Slippery The word I most dislike in English is Scinilate
Sonia will be performing as part of LatinoLife 'Intimo' dinner-concert series on Mon 21 June. Ticket includes live music, dinner and cocktails Book here
