ALT-COUNTRY SOUL AMERICANA MUSIC MAMA//STORYTELLER//CRYSTAL•MOON WITCH//ANIMAL•ENVIRONMENTAL•HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST//MENTAL HEALTH IN THE ARTS ADVOCATE

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Following the call of the sea, the landscape and the desire to create without limits, Sophie Bonadea currently resides in the North East of Scotland where she lives with her partner and their daughter in a rural coastal town on the stunning Findhorn Bay Coast, famed for its dramatic scenery and draw of spiritual seekers.

Fusing the personal with the mystical through narrative folk-like storytelling, interweaved with her own experiences in love and out of love, her debut album, The Understanding, (currently in production) takes a reflective look at her relationships and the wisdom and light to come from these chapters in her life. Bonadea often credits her work as a crystal healer, long time Vipassana student and meditation teacher, honed in the ancient practice of harnessing moon energy, as the magic ingredient in her songwriting process.

Freely exploring references from the 60s and 70s road-trip-americana music she grew up with, Bonadea's songs effortlessly move through folk, rock, alt-country, americana, noir and even pop to create a sound that has been described as both totally unique and warmly familiar, and she is regularly likened to pioneering female singer songwriters, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Nicks, Lucinda Williams and PJ Harvey for both stage presence and songwriting style, whilst becoming a respected voice for women in the contemporary Americana music scene.

Known for speaking candidly and compassionately about her own experiences with PTSD and anxiety, confiding with her audiences how she has used music, in particular songwriting, alongside meditation to process difficulties she has encountered with self care and mental health. Through public speaking and social media she encourages others to seek the gifts within their own mental health struggles, using art as a way to transform it into a thing of beauty and creativity.

Mother, musician, feminist, witch and spokesperson for mental health in the arts; an activist for animal and environmental welfare and the host of monthly pop up musicians gatherings, aimed to create a hub for collaboration whilst offering a regular showcase where complete beginners share the bill alongside established artists, resulting in an accessible and welcoming environment for all to flourish and connect. In 2019 Bonadea was also asked to join the online group, Music in Moray, as an administrator, due to her passion for keeping live music live in the region and also uniting working musicians.

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Professional bio

Following a decade of songwriting in Berlin and a calling to return home after seventeen years on the road, 2019 can be claimed as Bonadea's breakout year into the Highland music scene. Her interview with Rob Ellen for the transatlantic online roots music program, The Medicine Show Radio Moose Mobile, created an opportunity to introduce her music to americana and alt-country fans both nationally and internationally. Her performance on the show has so far received the most views to date, and generated interest from local and national music industry promoters and musicians, prompting invitations to open for Canadian artist Orit Shimoni on the Scottish Highlands leg of her UK tour, and to perform as part of Celtic soundscape musician and artist, Wilson Noble’s, Solstice Sessions.

Bonadea was asked to perform as part of the first ever all female line up for the Porch Sessions at the iconic music venue Macgregors, owned by BB2 Radio Folk broadcaster and Blazin’ Fiddles founder Bruce Macgregor, and was selected as one of the Highlands most promising unsigned acts to perform for legendary LA music producer and engineer Ken Allardyce, who has worked with many powerhouse names including female music icons Stevie Nicks, Cher and Everything but the girl.

Summer 2019 also saw Bonadea debut at several award winning festivals including Scotland's biggest independent arts and music festival Belladrum, The Black Isle Brewery Festival, Jocktoberfest and Woodzstock Festival where she opened the main stage. Her live performances have gained both respect and accolade from press, media and fans alike for her introspective and relatable storytelling, her honest songwriting and captivating performances.

Bonadea is known for speaking candidly and compassionately about her own experiences with PTSD and anxiety, confiding with her audiences how she has used music, in particular songwriting, alongside meditation to process difficulties she has encountered with self care and mental health. Through public speaking and social media she encourages others to seek the gifts within their own mental health struggles, using art as a way to transform it into a thing of beauty and creativity. Already the host of her own musicians gatherings, it was her aim to unite the musical community of the highlands, creating a hub for collaboration and offer a regular showcase where complete beginners could share the bill alongside established artists, resulting in an accessible and welcoming environment. Arts for Wellbeing asked her to host a special charity open mic and awareness night for artists and performers to share their own experiences with mental health as part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival. A highlight of the night included a performance by Michael Wadada of world music dub collective, Sons of Arqa, known for their work with 808 state; A guy called Gerald and performing at Glastonbury and the first Womad Festival.

Fusing the personal with the mystical through narrative folk-like storytelling, interweaved with her own experiences in love and out of love, debut album, The Understanding, takes a reflective look at her relationships and the wisdom and light to come from these chapters in her life. Bonadea often credits her work as a crystal healer, long time Vipassana student and meditation teacher, honed in the ancient practice of harnessing moon energy, as the magic ingredient in her songwriting process.

Freely exploring references from the 60s and 70s road-trip-americana music she grew up with, Bonadea's songs effortlessly move through folk, rock, alt-country, americana, noir and even pop to create a sound that has been described as both totally unique and warmly familiar, and she is regularly likened to pioneering female singer songwriters, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Nicks, Lucinda Williams, Tracey Chapman, Tracy Thorne and PJ Harvey in stage presence and songwriting style, whilst becoming a respected voice for women in the contemporary Americana Country Soul music scene.