Sonic Keys Interview: The Story Behind “Make My Move”
UNPUBLISHED
9 Lounges Team
10/24/2026
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Sonic Keys, the musical identity of Nick Pound, proves that passion and perseverance have no deadline. Blending expressive piano melodies, soaring falsetto vocals, and contemporary pop, R&B, and funk influences, he creates music that feels both fresh and timeless. His track “Make My Move” explores the struggle between fear and ambition, encouraging listeners to overcome self-doubt and embrace change. With renewed confidence and authentic storytelling, Sonic Keys inspires listeners to take risks, believe in themselves, and celebrate life’s journey.
The Inspiration Behind the song: "Make My Move” is built around the idea of choosing action over hesitation. Was there a specific personal experience or turning point that inspired you to write this song?
There actually was. After losing my Dad in 2022, it took me some time to process everything and reflect on what I wanted to take away from that experience.
One of my biggest realisations was that life is too short to keep putting things off. The last thing I want is to look back on my life with regrets, wondering what might have happened if I'd taken a chance.
That's really where Make My Move came from. It's about finding the courage to take that first step, pursue something you're passionate about and see it through, even when things get tough.
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Overcoming Fear and Self-Doubt: The song explores the tension between fear, doubt, frustration, and ambition. How do you personally deal with moments when self-doubt makes it difficult to move forward?
I think self-doubt is something we all experience, some more often than others, and I'm certainly no exception, particularly when it comes to my music. There have been plenty of moments where I've questioned myself, my abilities and whether I'm heading in the right direction. I think the whole tall poppy syndrome mentality can play a part in that too.
I've learnt that the best way to deal with it is to focus on what I can control, take things one step at a time, remind myself why I started and try not to worry too much about what others think or say. It's not always easy, believe me, especially when things don't go to plan. But I've found that even after taking a few steps backwards, those small steps forward can help rebuild your confidence.
That's really what Make My Move is about. Not allowing fear or doubt to hold you back from giving something a go and seeing it through.
The Meaning Behind the Hook: The repeated line “Time to make my move” becomes a powerful motivational statement throughout the song. What does that phrase mean to you personally?
For me, that phrase goes hand in hand with the overall concept behind my EP In The Driver's Seat, which is about looking forward, not giving up and taking control of where you're heading.
I see “Time to make my move” almost like one of those motivational quotes or daily affirmations you might have on your desk or in a book. It's a simple reminder to put things into perspective and stop putting off what matters to you.
Personally, it's about reminding myself that there's no better time than now to take action, find the courage to make a change and start moving forward, rather than waiting for things to happen.
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Blending Pop, Piano, R&B, and Funk: Musically, “Make My Move” blends pop and piano-pop with R&B influences and a classic funk-pop attitude. What inspired you to bring these different sounds together for this track?
The sound initially came together while I was experimenting with some random chords on my piano. At the time, I had influences like Norwegian artist Kygo and singer-songwriter Sombr in my head, particularly his track Back To Friends, which helped inspire the early direction of the song.
As the track developed, Mark Ronson's production work on Robbie Williams' Lovelight became another influence. Then, when I started working with my producer Stuart Stuart in the studio, we brought in additional inspiration from Michael Jackson and Prince, which added another exciting dimension to the sound.
I think that's why Make My Move sits comfortably within pop and piano-pop, with elements of R&B and funk woven throughout. It was really a combination of experimenting, trial and error, and a little bit of chance that brought all those influences together into something that feels distinctly my own.
Sometimes when you hit a wall creatively, the best thing you can do is try something else. I wanted to challenge myself.
Turning Real-Life Emotions Into Music: The lyrics mention feeling unmotivated, having repetitive conversations, and watching days pass without progress. How important is it for you to include real-life emotions and experiences in your songwriting?
Incredibly important. I believe real-life experiences, both good and bad, help us grow as artists and as people. They can also connect with others in so many different ways, sometimes reaching someone who's at a crossroads in their life or going through a particularly difficult time.
So many musicians have written about their personal struggles, and I really admire that honesty. I've experienced some traumatic events in my own life, and while those experiences have shaped me, I don't necessarily want my music to dwell on the negatives. I'd rather bring a sense of positivity and optimism, showing that even after difficult times, there can be a silver lining and an opportunity to move forward.
It might sound a little like motivational speaking, but I think it's an important message, especially with how challenging life can be these days. I want people to feel that they don't have to remain stuck in their circumstances or give up on what they're passionate about. Sometimes we have more choices than we realise, and finding the courage to act on them can make all the difference.
That's something I've been carrying into my songwriting more and more lately.
Building the Song’s Emotional Journey: The second half of the song carries a stronger sense of urgency and forward movement. How did you approach building that emotional progression from the verses through the bridge and final chorus?
Throughout my songwriting years, I've always enjoyed building songs towards a big finish. For me, that's often where the most exciting part of a track happens, once you've taken the listener on a journey from the beginning.
My songwriting process usually starts with a catchy chorus or melody, and from there, the other elements gradually fall into place. I'll often sing the chorus over and over until I'm practically blue in the face! It's during that repetition that I start discovering new ideas and working out how the different sections should fit together. Funnily enough, I sometimes listen back to songs I've written years ago and wonder how on earth I came up with certain parts. I wish I could remember for moments like this, haha!
With Make My Move, it was about building on that initial melody and creating a sense of momentum as the song progressed. I'm also very open to revisiting and rewriting sections if something isn't quite working. Stuart and I did quite a bit of that during the recording process, and I've learnt that even when you think a song is finished, going back and refining it can make a huge difference.
I think it's that combination of experimenting, revisiting ideas and gradually building the arrangement that helps bring the emotion and energy together, particularly towards the bridge and final chorus.
Collaborating With Nicole Pound: Your wife, Nicole Pound, contributed to the lyrics of “Make My Move.” What was it like collaborating with someone so personally close to you, and how did her contribution shape the final song?
Being completely honest, Nicky was my incredible sanity check when it came to the lyrics across the entire EP! She helped make sure that what I was trying to say actually made sense, particularly when I returned from the cabin with some very rough lyrics and ideas written down.
I'm not going to lie, there were a few minor disagreements along the way, mostly on my part! (Sorry, Nicky, sweetie!) I can be a little stubborn when I think I've written something that's already good enough. But that's the beauty of collaborating with someone who knows you so well. She wasn't afraid to challenge my ideas, and I think the songs are much stronger because of it.
I've learnt that just because you think a song is finished doesn't necessarily mean it is. Going back and reworking lyrics can take a lot of energy, but between Nicky's contributions and Stuart's incredible insight during production, I've come to appreciate just how valuable that process can be. It's something I'd love to pass on to the next generation of songwriters too. Your first draft isn't always your best!
As for working with my wife again? Absolutely, in a heartbeat! She's my everything, and I'm incredibly proud of the contribution she's made to Make My Move and the entire EP. Thank you, my Nicky! xx
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A Message of Courage and Confidence: What do you hope listeners take away from “Make My Move” when they are going through a period of uncertainty or standing at the edge of a major decision?
I hope Make My Move encourages listeners to take that next step in life, whatever that might look like for them. Everyone faces different challenges and decisions, so I'd love for people to interpret the song in a way that relates to their own experiences.
I feel we don't hear enough songs carrying this kind of message lately, and with how busy and uncertain life can be, I think it's important to remind people that it's perfectly okay to feel unsure or hesitant. Sometimes that reassurance gets lost among everything we see on social media and in the wider media.
If the song helps someone find even a little more confidence when facing a difficult decision, then that's something I'd be incredibly happy about.
Having said that, I'm also a big believer in having a sanity check before making any major move! Think things through, consider the possible consequences and make sure it's the right decision for you.
But once you've done that, and everything feels right, what's stopping you? Go for it!
I just put my head down and work. I don’t think about journeys and life lessons. I don’t know how to answer that question.
The Next Chapter of Sonic Keys: As “Make My Move” represents a step toward embracing change and new possibilities, what can listeners expect from Sonic Keys as you enter this next chapter of your musical journey?
After going through some difficult times earlier this decade, I really want this next chapter to demonstrate the staying power of Sonic Keys and how much I've grown as an artist.
Earlier in my career, I knew my music had potential, but I was still finding my direction and figuring out what I wanted my sound to represent. Having now completed my debut EP, collaborated with some incredible producers and connected with other like-minded musicians, I finally feel I'm finding my place within pop, R&B and soul, with elements of dance-pop while still holding on to my singer-songwriter and piano roots.
With In The Driver's Seat now released, I want to give it the opportunity it deserves. It's taken around 12 months from start to finish, and I'm excited to see where these five songs take me through the remainder of 2026 and into 2027.
Live performances are also a big priority for me now. I'd love to get out and perform more regularly, continue building my confidence on stage and introduce Sonic Keys to new audiences.
As for future releases, absolutely! I've always got musical ideas floating around, and I think listeners can expect more uplifting, up-tempo pop alongside meaningful songs that connect with real-life experiences. But for now, I'm incredibly proud of what I've achieved with this EP, and I want to enjoy seeing it find its audience.
Ultimately, I hope my music encourages people to believe in themselves, embrace new opportunities and realise they have the ability to take control of their own direction in life. To literally be In The Driver's Seat.
Finally as I always like to say, remember to keep smiling and keep singing!
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