Sophie Daniels Songwriter Biography

My obsession with music began at just 5 yrs old when reportedly, I started quizzing my Dad about the meaning of the lyrics to Abba’s 'Waterloo'. Next I got into Carly Simon's 'Hotcakes' followed quickly by Wham! and Dolly Parton, and since then, music has been my life. I started piano lessons at 6, played any instrument going spare in local bands and orchestras, studied jazz singing in my late teens and finished with a degree in English and Music at Leeds University. My teachers all agreed that, whilst I was talented, I was not very good at playing what was actually written on the page, preferring to make up my own version - kind of a metaphor for my life.

I began to write original material in my early teens. Since then I have been playing piano and singing, writing and performing my own songs, co-writing with bands, and writing and performing in musical reviews. Eventually I discovered that I had the passion and talent for writing, rather than performing and I became a professional songwriter specialising in lyrics and top lines. My key influences range from Classic Pop across the decades to Musical Theatre through the songwriters of the 30s and 40s as well as Classical Repertoire with a good tune. As well as playing piano and keys, I am a trained singer and vocal coach.

I started teaching Songwriting at The Institute of Contemporary Music in London where I am now Head Of Songwriting. I love teaching and enjoy the challenge that the students provide by bringing in new ideas and approaches every day. The teaching process means I have effectively co-written (at speed!) many thousands of songs across every conceivable genre.

My career in the music business began after Uni, working for BBC Music Live before moving on to Sony UK, and then S Records (now SYCO). During my career I've worked with Simon Cowell, Westlife, Kelly Clarkson, The Beautiful South, Charlotte Church, Will Young, Il Divo, Pop Idol contestants including Gareth Gates, Darius Danesh and Michelle MacManus, and product managed records for Neil Diamond, Barbra Streisand, Barry Manilow and the UK 2002 Eurovision Entry with Jessica Garlick.

My favourite writers are Rufus Wainwright, Abba, Sara Bareilles, Tori Amos, Ne-Yo, George Michael, Carole King, Jeff Buckley, Dianne Warren, Dolly Parton, Nerina Pallot, Cole Porter, Steve Mac and Wayne Hector, George and Ira Gershwin, Crowded House, Prince, U2, Michael Jackson, The Dixie Chicks, Eddi Reader and Boo Hewerdine, Ryan Adams and most people who write songs in Nashville.

During 2011, my main projects have been co-writing songs for Jonathan Whiskerd's forthcoming album, working with Joelle Moses, co-writing pop songs with Tarmo Keranen and developing Nashville Tracks with Bobby Tomberlin.