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#MelbRecital Mixtape: SOPHIE KOH 许舒慧

#MelbRecital Mixtape: SOPHIE KOH 许舒慧

Before she performs her latest album Book of Songs live, Sophie Koh curates her own #MelbRecitalMixtape - a Spotify playlist of her favourite songs. 

Sophie Koh burst onto the scene with her acclaimed debut album All The Pretty Boys in 2005, which featured the triple j hits ‘Anywhere’ and ‘Fall Into Space’. The Herald Sun hailed a voice “that drips melodies like honey from a spoon”, while The West Australian wrote about “one of the sweetest voices you are likely to hear”. 

In February, Sophie performs her latest album Book of Songs live in the Salon. Its the album Sophie has always wanted to make. Produced by J. Walker, its a thrilling and unpredictable fusion of styles, and “the first time I’ve put pencil and eraser to manuscript paper,” she says. 

Before she performs Book of Songs live, Sophie shares her #MelbRecitalMixtape - a Spotify playlist of her favourite songs. Press play, and read more about Sophie and her song selections below.

Janelle Monae: 'Tightrope' 
This is my 'cheer up Sophie' song. Or, if i'm in a great mood, I'll blast it loudly in the car (when my toddler isn't with me).

Machine Translations: 'Broken Arrows'
J.Walker was my producer for two of my albums, All Shook Up and Book of Songs. Machine Translations is the only Australian band that tickles my brain and I always try to catch them live. They deliver complex, intelligent, cerebral yet accessible pop songs.

Kings of Convenience: 'I'd Rather Dance With You'
I just love the hook in this song. Another song I blast in the car when I'm alone!

Teresa Teng: 'The Moon Represents My Heart'
I'm studying for my new roles in Shanghai Mimi, a jazz/cabaret/acrobatic show with it's world premiere at Sydney Festival in January 2019. My parents used to sing this song and it is famous amongst Chinese populations around the world. 

Travis: 'Writing to Reach you'
I've been reminiscing on great 90s pop lately. I loved Travis and still do. I'm secretly hoping one day I can cover an album of 90s pop songs, and this song would be one of them. 

See Sophie Koh live at Melbourne Recital Centre on Friday 15 February.

Sophie Koh, Book of Songs

WANT MORE? HERE'S 10 THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT SOPHIE KOH 许舒慧

  1. Sophie was UnEarthed by triple j in Darwin in 2003.
  2. Crowded House’s Paul Hester played on Sophie’s debut album, All The Pretty Boys, and offered to be her permanent drummer. Sadly, it was his last recording – he died before the album was released.
  3. Sophie was part of The Go-Betweens’ final tour.
  4. Sophie has made two appearances on RocKwiz. Her specialist subjects were “The Songs of Sheryl Crow” and “Romantic Men –Beethoven to Brahms”. Sophie sang The Turtles’ ‘Happy Together’ with Jimmy Little. For her second RocKwiz appearance, Sophie covered The Go-Betweens ‘Streets Of Your Town’ with Steve Kilbey.
  5. Tim Finn called Sophie’s version of Split Enz’s ‘Charlie’ his favourite song on the tribute album She Will Have Her Way, The Songs of Tim & Neil Finn.
  6. Sophie won Best Female Artist at The Age Music Awards in 2008.
  7. Sophie met Ben Lee on the set of Neighbours. Ben emailed Sophie a week later, inviting her to write with him in LA.
  8. Sophie toured China in 2013.
  9. Sophie’s cover of The Fixx’s ‘One Thing Leads To Another’ was featured in Grey’s Anatomy.
  10. She played Timpani in the Wellington (NZ) Junior Orchestra.

Visit Sophie Koh's website here
Watch Sophie's video for 'Yellow Rose', from Book of Songs below

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