THE MUSICIAN
Sonny Southon’s childhood was steeped in sound, singing alongside her Samoan father in local bands before she left New Zealand at 18 determined to become a singer/songwriter. This leap of faith would see her travel solo to London and finding work as a backing vocalist for luminaries as varied as Duran Duran and Sir Bob Geldof.
She then signed her songs to Warner Chappell Publishing UK, recording her first album ‘Falling Through A Cloud’, produced by David Kershanbaum (Tracy Chapman/Sheryl Crow), selling a modest 100,000 records worldwide and followed it up with her second album ‘All the Colors’ produced by Jeff Lorber in USA.
Some of her favourite memories during that time were Joni Mitchell joining her on stage in LA for a very unexpected jam session, being hired to sing at Jack Nicholson’s birthday party, eating baked beans on toast for dinner at Bryan Ferry’s castle and David Gilmour playing harmonica to her playing piano at a Pink Floyd after-show party, to name a few.
She has travelled the world, navigating and living in London, Los Angeles, Milan and Sydney, before finally returning home 30 years later to her hometown, Wellington, NZ.
After a long hiatus from recording music, Sonny was lured back to her love of songwriting and in 2020 released two singles – Demons and No Means No – which touch on indie pop, electronica and hints of soul. She is an artist drawing from a life of truly unique sensibilities both in and out of the vocal booth. Sonny is currently writing for other artists.
Sonny’s next single ‘Movin On’ will be released 4.3.21. All music available on Spotify, Apple etc.
