A Quick Chat with Sofia Gale

Read is out now! Can you tell us what was the inspiration behind the song?

Read speaks for itself. I struggled to find where I belonged. While everyone else seemed to fit in effortlessly, I spent many lunch breaks alone in the library, ironically despite hating reading books. But music was always there for me, so in high school I finally found the confidence to grow into myself and my artistry. Read is for anyone who feels stuck or unseen, a reminder that growth happens, healing is possible and sometimes the things that save us find us when we least expect it. This song is my thank you to music for helping me finally feel seen and letting me write my own story.

Can you tell us a bit about your backstory as a performer and artist?

Music and performance have always been a huge part of my life. I began training in singing, dance and acting from the age of six, developing a strong passion for both contemporary music and musical theatre. Growing up in Perth, Western Australia, I started writing my own original music at a young age, using songwriting to tell honest and emotional stories inspired by artists such as Birdy, Adele, Missy Higgins and Sara Bareilles.

Over the years I've been fortunate to perform in numerous musicals and live events across Perth while also releasing my own music on streaming platforms. My songwriting journey has led to recognition through the Fairbridge Songwriting Competition and two West Australian Music (WAM) Song of the Year Awards for my original songs In Your Eyes and Laugh.

Through both music and theatre, I love connecting with audiences through storytelling, emotion and authenticity and I'm excited to continue growing as an artist and performer.

When you're writing your own music, what creative process do you undertake to create an original work?

Though this process is different for everyone, before I even put my hands on the piano, I like to articulate why I've been gravitated to write a song. What has been the stimulus?

Once I briefly discover this, I then play around with different chord progressions and melodies. This stage is a lot of trial and error, but once I have explored different melodies and harmonies, that's when the lyrics come in. I always like to leave the lyrics until last so they can easily slot into the overall sketch of the song.

But in saying that, for me, lyrics will always override any melodic choices because the words I'm saying are how the story is conveyed.

What do you have planned for the rest of 2026?

Over the next six months, I'll be continuing to develop and perfect my craft as a singer-songwriter and artist. I'm currently working on releasing more original music, with the possibility of an EP in the near future, while also expanding my live performances across Perth.

Alongside performing and recording, I'm focused on continuing to learn from industry professionals, grow as a songwriter and performer, and further establish myself within the Australian music scene.

Stay posted on a gig coming up soon where I may or may not be singing my new release Read.

What Australian artists do you look up to the most?

My biggest inspirations are Australian artists including G Flip, especially their song Bed on Fire, as well as Tones and I, Meg Mac and, of course, Missy Higgins.

I remember watching Tones and I busking on the streets of Frankston every time I would visit my family members on the Mornington Peninsula. To now see her collaborating with some of the biggest names in music and touring all across the world has been incredibly inspiring.

What do you want listeners of Read to take away from this song?

I want listeners to take away the idea that it's completely okay to feel lost, disconnected or out of place sometimes because growth and healing don't happen overnight.

For me, music became the place where I finally felt understood. It allowed me to express emotions I never really knew how to put into words. Through songwriting and performing, I found a sense of belonging and purpose that completely changed my perspective on who I was.

Most importantly, I hope they can hear that little Sofia, sitting alone and unsure of herself, would be so proud of how far I've come and the artist I continue to grow into today.

More than anything, I hope this song reminds people that even the moments that make us feel isolated can eventually lead us to discovering who we truly are.