Sophie Jane & The Chilly Bin Boys

When a local kid continues to make good, the whole community smiles.

Sophie Jane is one such girl and the local shops are ready to receive a stack of her latest music CD called “Unopened” after it is launched on 26th July at INDI Bar Scarborough WA. Sophie Thompson, as we know her, has been strumming her guitar and creating beautiful music since she was nine and first performed at the “Kids Country”, a music program for youth under the banner of the Boyup Brook Country Music Club.

After a few years she teamed up with a brother and sister from Kojonup and under the name “Sollae” they performed together regularly over six years. They made two CD’s and won many awards for their efforts, including the Open Section of the WA Country Music Awards in Boyup Brook in February 2003. Two long trips to Tamworth for the January Festival in 2004 and 2005 saw them making the finals of the Johnny Young ‘Young Country Time Star Search’ and the Capital Country Music Awards Talent Search.

Sophie has always had the support of her family along the way. Her mother taught her the guitar and her parents transported her to many gigs across the state and to Tamworth. Her sister Jamey put her Design Degree to work on the covers of both of Sophie's CD's as well as the Sollae CD “Growing Up Just Fine".

In 2005 Sophie started writing her own words and music – something that she loves. Working solo brings its own challenges but Sophie has been encouraged by the recognition she has received from professionals:

* Her song ‘Growing Up Just Fine’ was a finalist in the Open Songwriters Section of the Tamworth CCMA National Talent Competition. It was also announced as the winning entry in the Smarter than Smoking Junior Songwriting Section of the WA Country Music Awards in February, 2005.
* ‘When You’re Not Around’ was selected as one of the five finalists in the Regional section of the WAMI Songwriting Awards in 2005.
* ‘Wanted Girl’ made it into the final five in the Upper Secondary section and was the title song of her first solo CD. Another song on that CD ‘Brave Soldier of Australia’ was 6th in the Australian Songwriters’ Association competition.

* Before this latest CD has even hit the stands, Sophie Jane has received accolades for one of its songs. “Broken Glass” made it to the semi finals of the John Lennon International Song Writing Competition.

Sophie is a student, studying to be a teacher. Somehow she manages to squeeze in performing for rural events, weddings and special birthday bashes and enjoys the live action and personal interaction. She was fortunate to team with a TAFE Course “Events Management” in the production of this latest album and they have helped her with advertising, organising and airplay.

However, Sophie warns us that she is not just any old country singer. She has moved forward - as she describes “the music of this brazen-haired songstress fuses those pop fundamentals with a touch of indie, a hint of roots and a generous helping of small-town girl.” She continues: “Sophie Jane is a unique and dynamic live performer, with a bitchin’ sense of style to boot.”

Sophie Jane writes from her life experiences, not shirking away from difficult rural issues in her own special way - everything from speeding and depression in men to girls who are in danger of suffering from anorexia. However several songs are about all the youthful facets of finding love and then losing it!

Sophie Jane’s “can do” attitude, self-confidence, enthusiasm and obvious talent are things we have applauded throughout her career and we wish her well with this new CD “Unopened” and her future. You can hear one or two of her songs on http://www.myspace.com/sophiejane. CD’s can be purchased from Kodja Place, PO Box 107, Kojonup WA 6395 or by ringing (08) 98 311297 or ring Sophie Jane on 0427 805 465. - ourpatch.com

When a local kid continues to make good, the whole community smiles.

Sophie Jane is one such girl and the local shops are ready to receive a stack of her latest music CD called “Unopened” after it is launched on 26th July at INDI Bar Scarborough WA. Sophie Thompson, as we know her, has been strumming her guitar and creating beautiful music since she was nine and first performed at the “Kids Country”, a music program for youth under the banner of the Boyup Brook Country Music Club.

After a few years she teamed up with a brother and sister from Kojonup and under the name “Sollae” they performed together regularly over six years. They made two CD’s and won many awards for their efforts, including the Open Section of the WA Country Music Awards in Boyup Brook in February 2003. Two long trips to Tamworth for the January Festival in 2004 and 2005 saw them making the finals of the Johnny Young ‘Young Country Time Star Search’ and the Capital Country Music Awards Talent Search.

Sophie has always had the support of her family along the way. Her mother taught her the guitar and her parents transported her to many gigs across the state and to Tamworth. Her sister Jamey put her Design Degree to work on the covers of both of Sophie's CD's as well as the Sollae CD “Growing Up Just Fine".

In 2005 Sophie started writing her own words and music – something that she loves. Working solo brings its own challenges but Sophie has been encouraged by the recognition she has received from professionals:

* Her song ‘Growing Up Just Fine’ was a finalist in the Open Songwriters Section of the Tamworth CCMA National Talent Competition. It was also announced as the winning entry in the Smarter than Smoking Junior Songwriting Section of the WA Country Music Awards in February, 2005.
* ‘When You’re Not Around’ was selected as one of the five finalists in the Regional section of the WAMI Songwriting Awards in 2005.
* ‘Wanted Girl’ made it into the final five in the Upper Secondary section and was the title song of her first solo CD. Another song on that CD ‘Brave Soldier of Australia’ was 6th in the Australian Songwriters’ Association competition.

* Before this latest CD has even hit the stands, Sophie Jane has received accolades for one of its songs. “Broken Glass” made it to the semi finals of the John Lennon International Song Writing Competition.

Sophie is a student, studying to be a teacher. Somehow she manages to squeeze in performing for rural events, weddings and special birthday bashes and enjoys the live action and personal interaction. She was fortunate to team with a TAFE Course “Events Management” in the production of this latest album and they have helped her with advertising, organising and airplay.

However, Sophie warns us that she is not just any old country singer. She has moved forward - as she describes “the music of this brazen-haired songstress fuses those pop fundamentals with a touch of indie, a hint of roots and a generous helping of small-town girl.” She continues: “Sophie Jane is a unique and dynamic live performer, with a bitchin’ sense of style to boot.”

Sophie Jane writes from her life experiences, not shirking away from difficult rural issues in her own special way - everything from speeding and depression in men to girls who are in danger of suffering from anorexia. However several songs are about all the youthful facets of finding love and then losing it!

Sophie Jane’s “can do” attitude, self-confidence, enthusiasm and obvious talent are things we have applauded throughout her career and we wish her well with this new CD “Unopened” and her future. You can hear one or two of her songs on http://www.myspace.com/sophiejane. CD’s can be purchased from Kodja Place, PO Box 107, Kojonup WA 6395 or by ringing (08) 98 311297 or ring Sophie Jane on 0427 805 465. - ourpatch.com

“Time will tell for you and me if we can climb up into the trees / Sit up high and wonder why, everyone’s standing underneath” - 'Broken Glass', Sophie Jane, 2009.

As her own lyrics suggest, Sophie Jane’s rising talent is clearly headed for the treetops! A dynamic and vivacious live performer, her work deserves a much wider audience. Her ‘Unopened’ EP is a positive delight to listen to, deceptively simple, yet constantly surprising. The only real complaint is that at just five songs in length, it’s far too short. But to compensate for that, there isn’t a single unworthy track on it.

It opens with the lively “1 + 1", a fairly conventional love song with a few hidden twists; followed by the poignant “Broken Glass”, a touching taste of might-have-beens, and all things unrequited, or is it?

After that comes the solid “For Now”, with a stronger beat and just a hint of that “girl power” vibe. Layered themes and metaphors prevail throughout Sophie Jane’s lyrics, and the shifts of perspective encourage the dual impression that while we’re hearing the cry of a woman at the end of her tether, breaking free from a stifling relationship; we’re also marvelling at the rationalisations of a classic heartbreaker, moving on with all the grace of a social butterfly. There’s a sense of both loss and triumph here.

More personal reflections follow with the track, “At Your Feet”, where we’re back to wistful might-have-beens… but can we really go back? The real charm of this track lies in the dilemma Sophie Jane so lyrically presents: Knowing it didn’t work the first time, we still have the longing to return and try again… These songs are perceptive and are bound to strike a common chord with all but the heartless.

Which just leaves us at the track “Wasted”, a song that anyone on anything should hear. Never mind the personal cost of addiction, Sophie Jane sings; think of what you’re doing to your loved ones.

With a deft touch throughout, Sophie Jane tells it like it is, never clean and simple, but real and down to earth. She uses her remarkable voice to good effect, supplemented by a minimal use of effects. The necessary back up is provided by solid supporting performances from her band, with nothing unnecessary or out of place in the mix, and the lightest touch with an almost ethereal keyboard in “For Now” is a particular treat, while their dominance in “Wasted” supplements the vocals to perfection.

As well as being a graceful and gifted performer, Sophie Jane is clearly a talented and solid songwriter, with an already very well honed craft. ‘Unopened’ showcases this beautifully. So buy it, borrow it, or beg for it. Just get hold of a copy for yourself, you’ll thank yourself for it. - Ian Coleman

“Time will tell for you and me if we can climb up into the trees / Sit up high and wonder why, everyone’s standing underneath” - 'Broken Glass', Sophie Jane, 2009.

As her own lyrics suggest, Sophie Jane’s rising talent is clearly headed for the treetops! A dynamic and vivacious live performer, her work deserves a much wider audience. Her ‘Unopened’ EP is a positive delight to listen to, deceptively simple, yet constantly surprising. The only real complaint is that at just five songs in length, it’s far too short. But to compensate for that, there isn’t a single unworthy track on it.

It opens with the lively “1 + 1", a fairly conventional love song with a few hidden twists; followed by the poignant “Broken Glass”, a touching taste of might-have-beens, and all things unrequited, or is it?

After that comes the solid “For Now”, with a stronger beat and just a hint of that “girl power” vibe. Layered themes and metaphors prevail throughout Sophie Jane’s lyrics, and the shifts of perspective encourage the dual impression that while we’re hearing the cry of a woman at the end of her tether, breaking free from a stifling relationship; we’re also marvelling at the rationalisations of a classic heartbreaker, moving on with all the grace of a social butterfly. There’s a sense of both loss and triumph here.

More personal reflections follow with the track, “At Your Feet”, where we’re back to wistful might-have-beens… but can we really go back? The real charm of this track lies in the dilemma Sophie Jane so lyrically presents: Knowing it didn’t work the first time, we still have the longing to return and try again… These songs are perceptive and are bound to strike a common chord with all but the heartless.

Which just leaves us at the track “Wasted”, a song that anyone on anything should hear. Never mind the personal cost of addiction, Sophie Jane sings; think of what you’re doing to your loved ones.

With a deft touch throughout, Sophie Jane tells it like it is, never clean and simple, but real and down to earth. She uses her remarkable voice to good effect, supplemented by a minimal use of effects. The necessary back up is provided by solid supporting performances from her band, with nothing unnecessary or out of place in the mix, and the lightest touch with an almost ethereal keyboard in “For Now” is a particular treat, while their dominance in “Wasted” supplements the vocals to perfection.

As well as being a graceful and gifted performer, Sophie Jane is clearly a talented and solid songwriter, with an already very well honed craft. ‘Unopened’ showcases this beautifully. So buy it, borrow it, or beg for it. Just get hold of a copy for yourself, you’ll thank yourself for it. - Ian Coleman

To listen to the interview, please visit: http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2009/09/21/2692003.htm
- ABC

To listen to the interview, please visit: http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2009/09/21/2692003.htm
- ABC