BB Spotlight | Sofar Sounds Edmonton

BB Spotlights feature Edmonton individuals that intrigue, inspire, and interest us and will be published throughout the year. Photography by BB Collective. Written by Brianne Jang.

The Sofar Movement is happening in 275 cities and counting, and Edmonton is lucky to be one of them. A network of artists striving to offer a better way to experience live music have turned a quaint idea of playing songs in a living room, to a grand reality. The Edmonton edition started earlier this year, and we were invited to check it out. If you've ever wanted to be a part of the coolest underground music club, this would be it. It's fun, secretive, yet completely welcoming. And their mission of bringing the magic back to live music is almost too simple, it's a wonder how we lost the magic to begin with. 

The intimate concerts can take place anywhere, from someone's living room, to an empty warehouse, to a rooftop.  The details of time and place are sent to the guest list the day before the event, with notes to respectfully show up on time, to stay the entire time, and that you may want to bring pillows and blankets if the venue has you cozying up on the floor. We also didn't find out who was playing until the night of, and I was happy to learn that I'd be serenaded by the talented Luca Fogale, Post Script, and Kimberley MacGregor. We sat and listened attentively as we shared tables, drinks, and the unanimous feeling of being part of something really special.  

We chatted with Ariana Brophy, the woman responsible for adding Edmonton to the Sofar list, about how it all works.

How did you find out about the Sofar movement?

I was playing a house concert in Winnipeg, and the host told me about Sofar and told me I should apply. When I looked into it, I realized it wasn’t in Edmonton (or even Alberta at the time) and we needed it.

Why did you want to bring this to Edmonton?

I’ve learned through experience that house concerts are a beautiful thing. It’s an opportunity for the musicians and the audience members to really connect in a more intimate setting. Musicians and artists are physically closer to their audiences, and sometimes they feel comfortable enough to share more personal stories, things they might not share at a louder or less intimate show. This is because the audiences are quiet. They’re quiet, they're respectful, they're attentive to what the artists are putting out, and because of that, they are contributing to the experience. Nobody wants to go to a show where that guy is talking on his phone in the back, or there’s a group of guys being rowdy, and it’s just as unpleasant for the artist to try and perform to that. I think that there is a demand in Edmonton, and untold other cities, for experiences with musicians where it’s more than just music, it’s more than just a show. It’s an event where there is tangible emotions and connection, and attentiveness, and beauty, and it’s real. 

At the beginning of each show, you remind the audience of Sofar’s mission, Be Still and Listen, where you kindly ask no phones be out, no talking, to stay for all the musicians, and that this is a safe space.  Why are these important to you and Sofar? 

I think it’s less of a mission statement as it is an acknowledgement of how to be respectful humans. We just like to make a small positive reminder of the fact that whoever is in that room came together for an experience, and those guidelines are how we make sure that the experience is so amazing. As for referring to our shows as a safe space, our team feels that it’s important to acknowledge that the safety and comfort of everyone is a priority, with no exception to that rule. 

The entire Sofar movement is happily mysterious and secretive, with locations being released to guests the day before and the line-up kept a surprise, why is this Sofar's protocol?

We believe that it’s important to keep the artists a secret so that people aren’t going to show up for one artist and then leave when they’re done. Equally, it makes it extra special when we have more established or well known artists. It gives every show a full audience regardless of who is performing. We keep the venues a secret so that we can maintain the privacy of the host, and also can avoid gatecrashers.

What would you say Edmonton’s music scene is currently like?

Thriving. There is so much talent and variety within Edmonton’s music scene, and I feel certain that that is shared across all of Edmonton’s arts communities. I think that the key word here is community… With so many artists spanning so many genres and styles and crossing so many lines, it is a special kind of community we have. There’s a lot of support and mutual respect in Edmonton, and I think it is part of why the community is so strong. 

What types of musicians can people expect to hear at a Sofar show?

Anything. Right now we’re still reaching out to different artists from different genres, but the goal is for every show to be unique. It might be folk, jazz, funk, blues, soul, rock, country, spoken word, and it might be a classical concert pianist, or a string quartet playing original pieces. We’ve had local artists and internationally renowned musicians, so we really encourage any type of artist or arrangement of musicians to apply.

What types of venues can people expect for a show?

Once again, anything. You may show up to a living room, or a basement, or a backyard (although we’ll try to limit the backyards to summertime). On the other side of things, we’re currently trying to find unconventional spaces, unique spaces, weird, strange, beautiful spaces… Everything from retail spaces, under construction spaces, offices, warehouses, garages, lofts, libraries, galleries… If there is a space willing to host us, we’re likely to use it. 

Are there other ways people can get involved?

Always. Every Sofar show in Edmonton is volunteer run in it’s entirety. We’re constantly looking for more people to volunteer to help out at our events, to host our events, and of course, to perform. 

What are your hopes for Sofar Sounds Edmonton in the future?

I really hope that we’re able to get the word out and get Sofar Sounds to be a staple in the arts communities. Last year in London, UK, I was told they put on a show in a warehouse with something like a thousand people in a single room, and they were quiet and respectful and attentive. I can’t say right now I think that will happen in Edmonton right away, but I’d like to get up to a few shows a month with large, wonderful audiences for our artists.

For more information, visit sofarsounds.com/edmonton.