Avant-Garde Pop Artist from West London – Sofia Gillani
Hi Sofia!! We are so thrilled to have you at Pop Palace! How are you at this moment?
Hello! I'm feeling great—thanks so much for the warm welcome to Pop Palace! I'm excited to be here, thank you for having me!
Your sound is so bold and fresh! How did you find your voice as an artist?
Thank you—that means a lot! Finding my voice as an artist was definitely a journey. I started by experimenting with different genres and styles, absorbing everything from classic pop to underground electronic sounds. Over time, I realized my truest voice came through when I stopped trying to fit into a mold and just leaned into what felt honest—both lyrically and sonically. It’s about emotion first, then sculpting the sound around that feeling.
Tell us about your upcoming release—what’s the story behind it?
My recent single ‘Read Your Mind’ is about a more social side of me, where I often just wanted to know what people were thinking, not because of fear of
judgement, but because I was so curious about how people had such
different personalities from each other but were able to connect.
I believe platonic love is so incredibly strong, so this song was mainly
about me building relationships that are so dear to me and navigating
different people - even with the trials and tribulations that come with it.
My upcoming single ‘Chains’ refers to the chains I felt put on me from society when I was first
pursuing music, and the process of taking them off. Being an independent
and experimental artist, this song represents me gaining confidence as a
singer to openly pursue a career as Sofia Gillani. I don't need people to see
my life to know that I'm alive, or for people to say they love me when I have
the support I need as I develop. It's completely and utterly unapologetic, as
most of my music is - an anthem to blast to all the people who need
confidence in their passion.
At Pop Palace, we celebrate women and queer artists in pop. How does your identity influence your music and your place in the industry?
My identity is inseparable from my music. As a queer asian-british woman, I’ve often felt the pressure to shrink parts of myself to fit into certain industry spaces, but music became my way to reclaim space and speak freely. My lyrics often reflect themes of love, resilience, vulnerability, and hope —experiences that resonate deeply within the queer community.
By showing up authentically, I hope to carve out space not just for myself, but for others who’ve felt unseen or unheard. Visibility matters—and pop is such a powerful platform for that.
What has been the most surprising moment you have had in your career?
Hearing my song on national radio! Not just once but three times! Still blows my mind!
When not creating music what do you spend your time doing?
When I'm not creating music, I’m usually recharging my creative energy—reading, dancing, or diving into films that inspire me visually and emotionally. I also love spending time in nature when I can; something about being outside helps me reconnect and stay grounded. And of course, I’m always discovering new music and supporting other artists—it’s a constant loop of inspiration.
How has living in London nurtured your creativity?
London has been everything for my creativity—it’s chaotic, beautiful, loud, and endlessly alive. There’s this raw energy in the city that constantly pushes you to evolve. I’ve met so many artists, producers, and collaborators from all walks of life here; that mix of cultures and perspectives has shaped my sound in ways I never expected. Even just walking through different boroughs feels like flipping through genres—grime, punk, soul, synthpop—it’s all here, blending together.
Finally, here at Pop Palace, we all have our own little 'Royal Court' of artists who inspire us and keep us going. So, if you could build your own musical palace, who would be sitting on your throne, and who would be in your royal court of all-time favorite artists?
At the moment, Ariana Grande. I am obsessed with how she layers her harmonies, keeps a fresh pop musicality through naturally expressing herself through different genres whilst respecting her fanbase. I also adore Victoria Monet and Lucky Daye, both artists who are driving R&B!
