Robin Proper-Sheppard
| Sophia | |
|---|---|
| Genres |
Alternative rock Indie rock Slowcore Singer-songwriter |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Labels |
The Flower Shop Recordings City Slang Bang! |
| Associated acts | May Queens, The God Machine |
| Members |
Robin Proper-Sheppard The Sophia collective |
Sophia is an indie rock band consisting of Robin Proper-Sheppard, former member of The God Machine, and the Sophia collective, a group of musicians who collaborate with Sophia. "Oh My Love" from People are like Seasons became an indie hit in several countries.
After the release of the final The God Machine album in 1995, Proper-Sheppard set up the Flower Shop label, putting out records from the likes of Elevate, Ligament, and Swervedriver. He also began recording a year later as Sophia. Sophia sounded nothing like The God Machine. Instead of ear-busting and grating, they were low key and introspective. With the help from other Flower Shop artists - Graham Miles (Elevate), Dan Mulligan (Oil Seed Rape) and James Elkington (Elevate) - he recorded 1996's Fixed Water featuring the single "Are You Happy Now".
Two years later, 'The Infinite Circle' followed. In 2005 this album was performed live in its entirety as part of the All Tomorrow's Parties-curated Don't Look Back series.
In 2001 Sophia released a live album 'De Nachten'. The album was recorded during two festival appearances in Belgium and the Netherlands and features four new songs and a cover of the John Lennon song Jealous Guy.
In January 2004 Sophia released their third studio album 'People Are Like Seasons'. The album was released by City Slang/EMI and marks the first Sophia release for a major label. Thanks to the massive airplay for its first single 'Oh my love' the band reached a whole new audience. This resulted in chart success for the album in several European countries (highest entry was no. 8 in Belgium). The band - of which the main members are now Robin Proper-Sheppard (vocals, guitar), Jeff Townsin (drums), Will Foster (keyboards) and ex-Swervedriver mainman Adam Franklin (guitar) - did a very successful tour of Europe in the first half of 2004.
In the Fall of 2004, a rarities cd was released called 'Collections:One'.
Most of 2005 and 2006 were spent writing and recording new songs for the fourth studio album 'Technology Won't Save Us', which was released in October 2006.
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Wikipedia