Sonny Southon is a NZ songstress, sound geek and wellness advocate
Sonny’s story is an invitation to be inspired, dream big, and follow dreams with relentless passion. In meeting Sonny, you meet not just a musician, but someone who has lived her life in bold colours, and who now seeks to paint others’ dreams with the same vibrant hues.
Samoan/Scottish born in New Zealand, her life has been filled with music, travel, and the pursuit of dreams. Leaving New Zealand at 17, armed with a passion for music, it would see her perform on stages throughout London, Europe and USA.
Sonny’s journey of incredible encounters and performances saw her working with legends such as Duran Duran, Bryan Ferry and Bob Geldof, performing at Wembley Arena, Glastonbury, the Royal Albert Hall, Knebworth, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Cafe and the Montreaux Jazz Festival, and numerous European festivals, to name but a few.
Her career memories are filled with extraordinary moments such as, Joni Mitchell stepping onto the stage to perform alongside her in an LA bar, being asked to sing at Jack Nicholson’s milestone birthday party, recording with Bryan Ferry at his castle, jamming backstage with David Gilmour at a Pink Floyd after parties, and many more. These are not just memories; they are milestones in a journey of musical excellence.
Sonny’s love of songwriting caught the attention of Warner Chappell Publishing UK, and Virgin Records and she then recorded two albums in Los Angeles, ‘Falling Through A Cloud’, produced by David Kershenbaum, known for his iconic work with Tracy Chapman (Fast Cars), and ‘All the Colors’, produced by Jeff Lorber, showcasing her versatility and depth as an artist.
Sonny’s latest chapter brings her back to New Zealand, refocusing her music career and producing a new album releasing 26 June 26.
Her dedication to music is matched with her passion for coaching/mentoring and teaching yoga as an Advanced Yoga Teacher (E-RYT500 YACEP). She founded The Music Seeds in 2021, to help guide emerging talent with Mindset and Wellbeing Coaching & Artist Development Programs.
Coaching musicians at The Music Seeds
The Music Seeds offers a 13 or 20 week Mindset and Wellbeing & Artist Development program for musicians. Meeting 1:1 online weekly to nurture and empower musicians by helping them identify their values, goals, whilst building resilience, a growth mindset and understanding the importance of establishing healthy support systems in all areas of their life, that will sustain wellbeing and a career in the music industry.
Sonny offers her extensive knowledge and experience in the music industry that spans over a few decades. She is a Certified Professional Life Coach, Advanced Yoga Teacher (E-RYT500 YACEP), Mindset and Wellbeing Coach, Artist Mentor with Diplomas in Engineering, Production, Mixing, Mastering, as well as Small Business Management . Apply to work with Sonny
“Enrolling in The Music Seeds program with Sonny has been an absolute game-changer for me. From the outset, I anticipated receiving valuable music advice, but what I found was so much more. Sonny’s coaching style is unparalleled; she effortlessly combines her vast knowledge with a genuine desire to see me succeed"
Teaching yoga, wellbeing and mindfulness
Sonny has studied yoga for 30+ years and is a E-RYT500 YACEP Advanced Yoga Teacher, first qualifying as a teacher in London 2004. She continues to achieve her commitment to study/train annually in traditional or modern styles of yoga. Her teaching combines these learnings and the best of her yoga experiences over 30+ years. Her classes focus on building awareness of range of motion, strength, flexibility, breath, mindfulness and deep relaxation using yoga’s therapeutic approach to stimulate the body’s innate wisdom to heal itself.
Sonny’s teaching style is to serve her students and she weaves different styles into her classes – Hatha, Vinyasa, Power, Restorative, YIN, Yoga Nidra as well as pranayamama, mindfulness, and meditation. She sometimes ends her classes in a sound bath. She teaches around Wellington, both corporate and public yoga classes. If you would like to join a class visit Sonny’s Yoga Facebook page for more info, or feel free to email Sonny to book a class, to help you find a teacher in your area or would just like to talk about any concerns you may have about starting a yoga practice.
