Sophia Bolinder Interview Under The Stars RnB Soul Music Collaboration With John Soul
INTERVIEW
9 Lounges Team
8/3/2025
Yes, well, being a young girl and teenager when R&B pretty much peaked, in the late 90's and early 00's, has definitely made me want to recreate that magic. It was always my dream to record songs like that myself. I think me and John's overall collaboration has been flowing so well so both of us made inputs that in the end resulted in a production polished but not overdone, in my opinion.
Sophia Bolinder opens up about her nostalgic R&B single “Under The Stars,” created in collaboration with John Soul.
Influenced by legends like Toni Braxton and Usher, the track blends intimacy and groove with a modern twist.
Recorded in the calm of Falkenberg, Sweden, the song captures raw emotion and studio synergy.
With more releases on the way, Sophia is set to shine in the growing Scandinavian soul scene.
Your latest single “Under The Stars” has a clear nostalgic R&B feel. What drew you to that late '90s / early 2000s sound, and how do you keep it feeling fresh and modern?
You’ve mentioned Toni Braxton and Usher as vocal inspirations. How have these icons shaped your own vocal style and storytelling approach?
Well, yes, both artists have very significant sounds and what sets them apart is that they always stay true to their genre but at the same time always want to explore new things and new people to collaborate with. I think that's what makes a great artist in general.
The chemistry between you and John Soul on this track is palpable. How did this collaboration come about, and what was the creative process like working together?
Thank you. I think the main component is that we are two individuals who love the same type of music. I actually found him and his record label Soul Family Entertainment through an ad on Instagram. Since our first song, everything has been flowing really well between us as collaborators. We always get new ideas while recording also, which is one of the most fun parts!
You recorded the song in Falkenberg, a city that’s quietly becoming a creative hub. How did the environment influence the mood or direction of the song?
I think the calmacity of the town really makes you focus well when you're in the studio. It's like, we know we are there for one thing and one thing only - to create the best possible song together. We are always jamming to our song during the recording sessions, it's always fun!
The opening line, “Lately I’ve been thinking 'bout you, twice a night...”, sets such a vulnerable tone. Can you tell us about the songwriting process and what that line means to you personally?
It was mainly John who did the lyrics to this song and since I didn't have much to complain about lyric wise, there weren't many changes to be made. I mainly came up with bigger ideas regarding the composition of the song.
What was the biggest challenge you faced while creating “Under The Stars,” and how did you overcome it?
As always when it comes to collaborations, it's about meeting in the middle when it comes to ideas. But I think we managed very well!
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Must Listen
There’s a beautiful balance between intimacy and sensuality in this track. How intentional was that dynamic, and how did you achieve it sonically and lyrically?
Thank you. Well, I think everything just evolved into that naturally. But we definitely wanted an intimate vibe with a call- and response- theme.
Sweden is producing more and more R&B talent. How do you feel being part of this new wave of Scandinavian soul artists alongside names like Seinabo Sey and Snoh Aalegra?
Wow, it's absolutely huge to even be mentioned in the same sentence as these two, I'm very honored! Both are great talents. It feels great! I'm just doing what I love the most which is singing and create music.
Looking ahead, what can fans expect from you next? Are you planning more duets, a full project, or live performances in the near future?
I am releasing an uptempo soul/pop/disco/funk song feat. John Soul in the beginning of August, so stay tuned!
I'm also going to co-write a new R&B song with two producers from the UK that I'm really excited about. Overall, my fall is going to be pretty intense with several releases!
Also Read
