Blending folklore, jazz and environmental storytelling, Sofia Grant transforms ecological anxiety into something deeply human. We caught up with her ahead of her set at Wild Paths to talk climate, creativity, and connection. NMR // Thank you for this interview Sofia. Let’s get stuck in. How would you describe your sound to someone who hasn’t heard your music before? // Sofia: Thanks for having me! My sound is constantly evolving. Right now I’m trying to capture the sound of environmental catastrophe, which isn’t straightforward. I’m interested in folkloric music and live jazz, and am told my music sits somewhere in between. NMR // You’ve already played some iconic venues – most recently London’s Royal Albert Hall. What was that like and where do you go from there? Are you excited to bring your music to Wild Paths? // Sofia: I compose for the live moment – that experience which is full of risk and uncertainty and (hopefully) connection. I’m lucky to have had some amazing gigs – and to have played them with some of my very best friends. It’s always nourishing to take the project into spaces that aren’t musical venues first and foremost – whether that’s a garden, an ecological centre, someone’s living room, or in this case a church. I love the challenges and the quirks and the irregularities of bringing music into these environments – playing with the layers of ways a space can serve its community. We’re playing the Octagon Chapel which is such a unique space, not just because of its shape. I can’t wait to bring the project – and some new music – to Wild Paths. NMR // Your EP ‘Extinction’ explores climate collapse and the decline of nature. What led you to center your debut around such urgent and emotionally charged themes? // Sofia: It wasn’t really a choice. It was just – and continues to be – what was on my mind, driving me and shaping my vision at the time. I’m an avid gardener, have worked in environmental policy in the past and am guided by nature in my artistic practice. In my eyes, we have so much scientific mapping and discourse around climate collapse – but what is lacking is the depth of emotional engagement to inspire real systemic transformation. I’m interested in the role music and sound can play in bridging that gap and getting people to care: about their local water body, the insects in their garden, the emissions of day to day living. NMR // Your tracks beautifully weave together ecological concern with personal emotion. How do you balance global themes with introspective storytelling in your songwriting? // Sofia: Thank you! I guess I try not to distinguish between the internal and external – but instead see them as mirrors of one another and part of a whole consciousness. It’s no coincidence we use the phrase ‘it’s in our nature’ to talk about one’s characteristics or inner tendencies. NMR // Are you currently working on new recordings? And when might we expect to hear a full-length album, and will Wild Paths audiences get a sneak preview of anything new? // Sofia: My album is in the works and should be out next year! It’s been a deeply challenging and rewarding process and I’m trying to drink in every moment. I’ve also got a live record in the works from a performance we did at a certain historic recording studio in North London – watch this space. NMR // Are there new themes or concepts you’re eager to explore in your upcoming projects? How might these differ from the environmental focus of Extinction? // Sofia: The environmental focus is still there. But there’s a playfulness to the new record which perhaps wasn’t there before. I am trying to hold things less tightly. NMR // I haven’t seen you live yet. How do your tracks translate to a live setting? Do you perform with a full band? // Sofia: My standard setup is my beautiful quartet featuring long-time collaborators Alley Lloyd and Lorenz Okello Osengor. But we play in various formats, depending on the context. I want the music to be alive and breathing and would absolutely hate for it to sound the same every time. So I’m always trying to facilitate that sense that you’re looking at the music again with fresh eyes – whether that’s through the instrumentation, improvisation or players on the gig. NMR // You spent time living in Barcelona, one of my favourite places. I lived there for a while and found it incredibly inspiring as a creative. From Gaudí’s architecture to the MACBA, the Correfoc to Primavera Sound, it was such a cultural hub. How did your time in Barcelona shape your sound or direction? And did you ever play at spots like Marula Café, Jamboree, or Harlem Jazz Club? I used to hang out there a lot. // Sofia: It’s a magical place and I learnt so much living there as a young musician. I went to nightly jam sessions at all those venues you mentioned, listening intently and essentially learning how to improvise. That time inspired me to found Higher Ground Jam Session when I eventually moved back to London – to build more inclusive spaces for improvisation in London. My time in Barcelona shaped me as an artist – and gave me friends for life.