The Sophistocrats

The Sophistocrats have released their debut EP, Together. Based out of Nelson, British Columbia and Ottawa, Ontario, the band’s sound is soulful trip hop. With lead vocalist Sophie Moreau Parent articulating thoughts of expectations in relationships, self-discovery, and discord, it’s a poignant narration to today’s definition of romantic love, self-love, and trust.

“I don’t want to hear about your good intentions / You won’t live up to the expectation,” she sings, a longing in her voice. Davis Yates, Nathan Swift and Aybars Savat comprise the band; jazz rock grooves (including a few refreshing guitar solos) amidst minimal instrumentation creating a thoughtful, expansive tone.

April 20th, 2018
The Sophistocrats Release Debut EP
By Chloé Hoy - The Permanent Rain Press

Describing their sound as “suburban R&B” and “organic trip-hop”, The Sophistocrats are a Nelson-based band centred around the songwriting of Sophie Moreau Parent. These tracks swing through the territory of melancholy and growth, moving and sliding with clean guitar riffs and smooth beats.

“Good Intentions” opens with atmosphere and catchy hooks, enough to draw you into the world that is Together. The Sophistocrats play heavy on the organic aspect of their genre, not leaning on synths but instead excelling at the guitar hooks and rhythms. The MVP on “Never Enough” is drummer Aybars Savat who brings the R&B, but there’s also a power when Moreau Parent breaks with “it’s never good enough” with an emotion that is raw and transparent.

There’s a sinister undertone to “Silent”, which has the vocals moving into haunting terrain as the lyrics dip into the human tendency to not speak out when we know something terrible is happening — a relevant concept in the post- Me Too world of today. Killing it with a beautiful harmony between the keys and the guitar in the opening of “Broken Record”, the song cracks open with a story of love gone awry. True to its name, the melody falls into repetitions that are both thematic and smooth.

It’s hard to pin down the genre for music like that made by The Sophistocrats, but with the drums working as a driving force and the guitar on smooth riff duty, Sophie Moreau Parent has effectively created a balance that glides into a new territory. If you couldn’t picture what suburban R&B or organic trip-hop were before, you know now.

Top Track: “Never Enough”

Rating: Proud Hoot (Really Good)

April 30, 2018
Review – “Together” – The Sophistocrats
Reviewed by Kaitlin Ruether - Gray Owl Point

The Sophistocrats released their first EP, Together on March 24, 2018. The band will be touring to support the release during May 2018, so it’s the perfect time to find out more about this up-and-coming Canadian band through our Five Questions With segment. You can also check out an awesome acoustic video below:
Care to introduce yourself to our readers?

I am Sophie Moreau Parent, a singer-songwriter from Ottawa. I spent three years living in Nelson, British Columbia, where I met Davis Yates, Aybars Savat, and Nathan Swift. Together we formed The Sophistocrats. I describe our music as Suburban R&B and Organic Trip-Hop. We recently released our first EP entitled Together.

Tell us a bit about your music and writing style.

Our music is very down to earth and relatable. My lyrics and melodies are straightforward. I’m an open book and so is my music. My bandmates understood me right away. I would write down the gist of a song, alone in my apartment, I’d bring it to rehearsal and we’d arrange it together. These past couple of years, I struggled with expectations, communication, and boundaries. I realized that I was learning how to balance self-discovery and relationships. The EP is based on my own personal experiences as a young adult.

Do you have any upcoming shows? For someone who has yet to see you live, how would you explain your live performance?

We will be touring the Kootenays and the Okanagan in May. We’ll be announcing our tour dates on social media – www.facebook.com/thesophistocrats – and our website – www.thesophistocratsmusic.com.

Our live performance is laid-back and groovy. Every crowd is different so we spontaneously adapt the show. The guys have incredible musicianship. We have lots of fun playing together and it’s contagious. Being on stage is a very vulnerable experience for me, my songs are intimate, I have to open up.

If you were asked to suggest only one of your songs for someone to hear, which would it be?

I’d say Broken Record. It’s a fun groove and the lyrics tell a genuine story. I’d also suggest Silent if you want to hear societal criticism.

Canadian Beats is all about Canadian music, so who are your current favourite Canadian bands/ artists?

I love listening to other emerging artists. Our friends from British Columbia The Racket, Rumour Mill, I M U R and Tenise Marie all make incredibly thoughtful music. I’ve recently discovered very talented musicians from my hometown: The Heavy Medicine Band – Keturah Johnson, Trails, Alanna Sterling, Shadowhand, Grace Marr and Moonfruits. There is so much incredible music out there, but when I get to know the artist personally, it makes their music resonate with me on a deeper level.

April 2nd, 2018
Five Questions With The Sophistocrats
By Jenna Melanson - Canadian Beats Media