Sophie Woodhouse makes fairy music. Her reverb-soaked falsetto evokes siren-like melodies, and the dreamy yet alluring quality continues through slightly crunchy guitars, slow drums and ethereal production. The artist has been exploring more new-wave sounds recently, and her latest single, “Backyard,” mixes her patented, haunting vocals with gloomy ’80s bass and drums. Her unique mix and distinctive voice have led to viral attention, with almost 150,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. Her songs have been used in more than 100,000 TikToks as of this writing. For more information, visit www.instagram.com/doll.wings.
What was the first concert you attended?
It was definitely Blondie, opened by The Cars! I still hold the excitement I felt when my dad told me he’d gotten tickets. The former was my first favorite group, so (for it) to have been my first show is special!
What was the first album you owned?
In a perfect tie-in moment, my first CD was Blondie’s Plastic Letters at Christmas when I was, like, 7. My first vinyl record was the bright-blue punk classic, the self-titled Adolescents. Perfection.
What bands are you listening to right now?
Lately, I’ve been on a huge Chet Baker, Billie Holiday and Françoise Hardy kick. Haunting melancholic genius in such simple, elegant ways.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?
I like to believe there are far more things I like rather than dislike, but I just can’t get behind any variation of Taylor Swift, or the “modern” version of country music. Those worlds aren’t for me! Even ironically, I just can’t do it.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
How deeply I’d have loved to witness David Bowie, especially during his Ziggy era! Elvis in his prime would be naturally unforgettable, also.
What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?
I’m not too shy about what I like, but the closest thing might be in moments spent revisiting music I loved as a pre-teen, like Lily Allen. I still know all the words to her first two albums, many of which I probably wouldn’t sing too loudly in public!
What’s your favorite music venue?
Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, or The Fonda in Hollywood—they’re so ghostly! Around these parts, you’ll find me happily head-bobbing at the Holland Project, Midnight Coffee and Lo-Bar! I can’t get enough of live shows.
What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?
“I won’t hurt you, I won’t hurt you,” from the 1967 song of the same name, by The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band. It’s a lullaby on repeat!
What band or artist changed your life? How?
I grew up loving Nancy Sinatra and still credit her artistry for offering endless inspiration to me. Embracing my femininity, being playful, and using songs and fashion as storytelling—it’s like living in a movie, full of film grain and edgy softness.
You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?
To Björk: What did you last dream about, and what did the dream sound like?
What song would you like played at your funeral?
How about “Desire Lines” by Deerhunter? That’d be a warm little funeral tune, wouldn’t it? An ethereal build and otherworldly fade, like how life and sleep should be.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
This hurts. There’s so many! Keep the weapon there, because I’m gatekeeping my No. 1 … with a smile!
What song should everyone listen to right now?
“It’s Too Much,” by FKA Fingers. They are the best-kept secret of a rising gem here in Reno, and I hope they make it into everyone’s ears, everywhere. Do yourself a favor!