From a bedroom in Richmond, Virginia to the jazz bars of Paris, Cold Beaches, the indie-jazz project helmed by Paris-based, DC-born songwriter Sophia Nadia, has always lived between contrasts. Her latest album 'Ambient Joy' doesn’t shy away from that duality. Recorded in Rome with a hand-picked international band, the 11-track release is both a love letter to quiet beauty and a meditation on grief, memory, and the delicate ache of living.
Lead single 'Up and Down' sets the tone, a piano-driven elegy that captures the surreal fog of loss, wrapped in tender vocals and emotionally layered arrangements. But across the album, Cold Beaches masterfully pair dreamy instrumentation with raw lyricism, exploring everything from heartbreak to existential anxiety, all through a lush, romantic, jazz-tinged lens.
So with the new album available now, we sat down with Sophia Nadia to discuss her origins and influences over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The piano was my first love for writing and the guitar taught me confidence!
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I wanted to be a famous piano classical composer. I used to practice my autograph where the S in my name had a backwards treble clef when I was like 7. Then it got emo and rock very quickly. I remember Daft Punk and the Gorillaz being in the big family CD player too (Discovery and Demon Days respectively!)
What was the first album you remember owning?
I think it was that Discovery CD from Daft Punk. Not sure though.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
I’m Only Sleeping by R Stevie Moore. Ahhhh. I should cover that!!
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Other than tears (usually)? No. lol. I just sometimes get overwhelmed so the pen must come out! I can’t force it though it’s something I have to let fall over me. Sounds cliche but you’ve gotta succumb which means you have to be vulnerable and honest and true.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Hmmm. Lately it’s been Astrud Gilberto, Chenayder, The Breathing Effect, to name a few. I’ve been all over the place!
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Pavement, probably. Or like Vulfpeck or Jamiroquai?
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
I like how the more honest you are, the more rewarded you will be. It’s so hard to put yourself out there but once you do you realize you’re not alone and you find this troupe of people who understand how you feel. Then things aren’t so scary anymore.
And what is the most frustrating part?
I wish I could just make music. I hate the monkey business side of it. I am shit at social media and all this stuff and I kinda wish all I had to do was make music and play shows but hey this is how it works I guess! Like why does what I look like help my music I think that’s kinda weird considering I signed myself up to make sounds not model in front of a camera. So silly!
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
That making music is a privilege therefore every time I have the opportunity to do so, I should be grateful and make something worthwhile from that. Probably the most valuable thing I’ve ever heard in my life regarding being a musician.
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Cold Beaches' new album 'Ambient Joy' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.