'Intimate, Powerful, Transformative': Sophian On Their Debut EP 'Somewhere In Between'

When asked to summarise their debut EP in three words, Sophian supplies, “intimate, powerful, transformative.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

Released today (4 October), Somewhere In Between marks the latest offering from the Perth (Boorloo) based four-piece, and presents them at their most thematically raw and sonically dynamic yet.

The six track EP can be divided into three distinct themes comprised of two tracks each; “Change, Growth, and Love.”

“The EP is cohesive in terms of its emotional depth and sonic texture,” Sophian shares, “but each track represents a different chapter of the journey.”

“Fans can expect a continuation of the vulnerability they’ve heard in the singles, but there are also some surprises in terms of sound. The tracks explore a blend of acoustic elements, lush production, and intimate storytelling, offering a complete experience when listened to in sequence.”

While still effortlessly Sophian in sound, the band did dabble with some new techniques during the production, all focussed on enriching the intimate and emotional themes of the EP.

“For one, we leaned into more stripped-back arrangements for certain songs, focusing on creating a raw, intimate atmosphere. We also played around with vocal layering and textures, trying to push the emotional weight of the tracks even further. The idea was to make the production feel like an extension of the story we were telling, not just an accompaniment.”

The production process was a very hands on process for the group, who reflect that it was “a mix of deep personal reflection and collaboration with a close-knit team of talented individuals.”

“Long-time producer Parko helped shape the sonic landscape of the EP, and lead vocalist Soph co-wrote a few tracks lyrically with Nadene Burchell, as well as having Pete Lucas and Jarred Osborne contribute to the music along the way too. It was a very collaborative environment where we pushed each other creatively while staying true to the raw emotions and stories behind the songs.”

“Hands down we have to also say that Sarah Haleem’s visuals also played a huge part in capturing the mood and essence of the EP. She has done all the visuals for the project and absolutely nailed bringing out the messaging of the EP for us through her amazing talent and really leaning into understanding who we are as individuals and as a band to make that happen!”

The cover art of this EP is not only striking, but marks a clear shift from the band’s previous releases. Monochromatic sketches of the band’s faces crowd out the entire cover, reflecting “the vibrant, complex emotions that the EP dives into.”

“The bold colours represent the intensity of feeling, whether the pain of confronting trauma or the beauty of personal growth. The design is intentionally abstract, mirroring how healing and self-discovery are rarely linear. This artwork represents the current era of Sophian where we’re embracing both the light and the shadows of our journey.”

To mark the release, Sophian are setting off on a national tour at the end of October, spanning Brisbane (Meanjin) all the way back to finish off with a home show in Perth.

“There’s something so special about connecting with fans in a live setting, and this tour will allow us to create exciting, memorable moments with the audience. We’re eager to share the full EP experience, not just as a performance but as a shared journey with everyone who comes to the shows. It’ll be our first time doing something on this scale, and we can’t wait to hit the road!”

Somewhere In Between is out now. Sophian will be embarking on their Australian tour from Thursday 24 October to Friday 15 November. Ticket information can be found through the group’s Instagram @sophiantheband.