Sophie B. Hawkins: Creating the background music for our lives

by Joshua Maloni
Grand Island Dispatch, April 23, 2004
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, April 24, 2004

It was the best episode of the best show of the ‘90s. Or so my seventh-grade mind thought.

Dylan chose Kelly over Brenda, and the new lovebirds shared some late night pizza by a bonfire on a California beach. It made my night.

What made the “90210” episode great, besides the drama, the coiffed hair and clothing colors so bright they could blind, was the song playing in the background: Sophie B. Hawkins’ “Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover,” a impassioned cry for romance. It was fantastic.

Hawkins burst onto the scene with that most-enjoyable song, and cemented herself in mainstream music with 1994’s poppy, chart-topping (67 weeks) single “As I Lay Me Down.” In 1999, she lent “Lose Your Way” to Dawson’s Creek, Gen Y’s version of 90210.

But, that was the corporate Sophie B. And, as much as we liked it, she didn’t.

“Before I was signed, I just wanted to get into the system, even though I didn't know what that meant,” Hawkins, 36, says in her bio. “After I got signed I found that I was confused by all the mixed messages from the label about what I’d have to do to keep their support. I fought and fought to maintain my identity and grow as an artist at the same time, but when I realized that to get their support … I’d have to start working with schlocky writers and totally sell out.”

Hawkins pulled her feet out of the ground, uprooted from her record label and forged her own path. In 2000, she formed her own label, “Trumpet Swan Records.” Her reasons for leaving Sony had more to do with managing her own product than a big blowup with the suits.

“My happiness is that instead of rebelling in that way, I’ve decided to go out on my own and see if I can do it myself with my own record company,” Hawkins said during a phone interview Wednesday. “I thought I could be more successful this way. If I were the entrepreneur, I thought, I could reach a bigger audience … I’m not going to sit here and second guess my instincts.”

It is on her own label – and on her own terms – that “Wilderness,” Hawkins’ fourth album, was released April 20. Despite a lack of corporate polishing on the album, it feels complete: Sophie combines her sultry voice, catchy hooks, a blend of hard-to-pronounce instruments, and meaningful lyrics to create a well-rounded, nice sounding product.

Even though Hawkins wore innumerable hats on “Wilderness” – singer, songwriter, producer, instrumentalist, promoter and financier – the extra duties didn’t detract from the creative process in making the 13-song album.

“I was very aware that I was going to do it,” Hawkins said. “I’m also someone who, I’m so incredibly disciplined about protecting my creative side. I think this is adding to my character as a human being.

“This is a really great experience for me to grow and mature as a human being and as an artist.”

So, can Hawkins, an icon in certain circles, make it back to the top of the pops?

“I think it’s going to be impossible,” Hawkins said. “But, I think that miracles can happen.”

Just like on television.

Sophie B. Hawkins performs at the Tralf, 622 Main St., Buffalo, on Thursday, April 29, at 8 p.m. “Wilderness” is now available for purchase. For more information visit www.sophiebhawkins.com.