motel void

After taking her own songwriting more seriously during the height of the pandemic, Sophie began sending Nick ideas that he would flesh out in upstate New York, where he was staying at the time. Going back and forth, through the digital airwaves between the upstate attic and the noisy Queens apartment, they managed to finish a heartfelt collection of songs that they’re excited to release. Planning on promoting through social media, playlist placements, and music videos. 

MOTEL VOID: You’re from New York. Which part, exactly? And how would you describe the current music scene there?

PON FAR (Sophie): I’m currently living in Brooklyn. I’ve been around the boroughs for the last decade but grew up on Long Island. Whatever you’re into, you can find a home somewhere in Brooklyn’s music scene, and I think that’s pretty special. The vastness of the music community can be overwhelming sometimes, but I’ve generally been pretty amazed by how supportive and welcoming the scene is. I honestly can’t imagine being anywhere else right now.

MOTEL VOID: Could you recommend your favorite local artists and venues?

PON FAR: So many artists! I’m playing in a couple other projects with friends who write music that I really love – Waterfall Strainer, Leanne Gallati, Blackjeans. It’s so wonderful to get a window into each of their processes and to try to bring their visions to life.

I’ve seen some incredibly inspiring performances this past year by amazing local artists: Ernest Brockenberry, Phantom Handshakes, Fetch Tiger, Work Wife, Kira Metcalfe, Starcleaner Reunion, Anna Shoemaker, Sarah Gross and Jenny Kern, to name a few (OK – more than a few).

In terms of venues, I love Rubulad and Brooklyn Made a lot. We played Sultan Room in July, which was also so fun.

3) Your influences are Angel Olsen, Big Thief, Julia Jacklin, Soccer Mommy… what is it that you like the most about their music?

PON FAR: These artists bring a sweetness to their music that contrast with an exposed underbelly. They all skillfully balance soft, lilting vocals with a darkness in the production or lyrics that I find grabbing. The kind of vulnerability in Julia Jacklin’s ‘Crushing,’ for example, makes me feel things in my chest and the pit of my stomach.

MOTEL VOID: You’ve just released a new EP ‘Count On Me’. What was the writing and recording process behind this record?

PON FAR: I’d mostly been hoarding my demos in my voice notes until 2020, when my bandmate, Nick Stola, encouraged me to share them with him. Together, during the early months of COVID, we’d send song drafts back and forth virtually, FaceTiming regularly to talk about them. I’d send him rough demos with vocal lines and maybe keys or guitar, and he’d flesh out arrangements and instrumental parts and work on production. It was incredibly helpful to have the Pon Far project as an outlet during that time, and these demos became the basis of the EP, ‘Count On Me’. When it was safe, Nick and I reunited in Bushwick, and we added our friends and amazing musicians, Meghan, Pete, Max, and Henry into the process.

MOTEL VOID: Your plans and goals for the rest of the year & 2024?

PON FAR: Next weekend, we have a show coming up at Our Wicked Lady which we’re excited about. In 2024, I’m hoping to play more shows in Brooklyn along with some other northeast cities, and to do more writing. My voice notes are starting to get backed up again.