SOPHIE Hanlon has been writing and performing her own songs since she was 10.
Her diverse musical influences have included Gershwin, Vera Lynn and Traffic, and her lyrics have been influenced by the prose of the Bronte sisters.
Now 23, Sophie was 17 when she performed at the Glastonbury Festival. Originally from Howarth, near Manchester, England, she lives in Sutherland Shire.
Sophie told the Leader she had been surrounded by music during her childhood and had memories of wandering on the moors not far from her British home.
She recently completed her debut album — Chemical Girlfriend — which is receiving positive feedback. One track — My Dark Crusade — is in the top 1 per cent of 19,000 entries worldwide in the International Songwriting Competition. The winner will be announced at the end of April.
Sophie's record producer David Skeet says it's an album in which "she has unwittingly combined the energy and pop sensibility of Small Faces, power of Grace Slick and soul of Billie Holiday".
Seeking support, Sophie has launched a Pozible (crowd funding) campaign to build a relationship with fans and supporters while raising funds which will help market the album and pay for PR and international tour costs.
