At sixteen, Sophie began writing music for television documentaries and swapping her vocal abilities for free studio time at the EMI studios in Australia. For the next few years, labels would approach her with offers, provided she shifted her image to fit their ideals and sing the pop songs their producers wrote. “Being irritatingly ideal at that time in my life, I politely declined and continued on my own path of exploration.” Here Sophie reached a peculiar juncture, and went to university with the intention of becoming a diplomat, believing she could be of better use in such a role. She soon shifted courses and was accepted into the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where she studied contemporary composition and orchestration. In due course, she began making a name for herself as Australia’s improvising rock cellist, touring with numerous acts, though the position soon wore itself out, and Sophie decided it was time to move on.
She moved to the US at twenty-three, and not long after touch down received word that Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse had heard her music and wanted her to join up with them for their tour with Radiohead. Sophie obliged, and afterwards found herself contributing on Sparklehorse’s albums, Good Morning Spider and It’s A Wonderful Life.
After her time with Sparklehorse, Sophie continued pursuing numerous musical avenues, and eventually was able to afford moving to upstate New York, where she could finally set up a studio of her own, though even this conjured up it’s own burdens. “Having the luxury of my own studio was great, but without an engineer to stop me, I destroyed most of what I wrote. To my dismay, my beloved music was turning into a gargantuan mirror and I couldn't stand it. Barely any songs made it out alive; the studio was like a war zone.” Unbeknownst to her, a major change was approaching. One night, while Sophie was out, there was an explosion in her studio, which promptly melted every piece of gear she owned, taking the whole house with it. She relocated, and began rebuilding another studio from scratch, and it was here that Sol Seppy began to manifest itself.
“I couldn’t see myself putting out a record before this” says Sophie. The catalysts for The Bells of 1 2 had long been developing, but had taken time to firmly materialize into a cohesive vision, apparent on the record. As the sole voice and creator behind Sol Seppy, Sophie landed not only the role of writer and performer for The Bells of 1 2, but also that of engineer and producer, with some additional mixing duties by Paul Antonell; all in all, a very substantial task for one person to surmount. As a result, the record is a true testament to the kinetic power of one’s own emancipation from the weighty trials that come hand in hand with the creative gift. “There was a strange joy around these songs in the studio.” This haunting, yet uplifting underpinning permeates most of the songs on the record.
Sol Seppy, the venture born of a longing for some perhaps unrealizable escape, has returned upon itself with an internal response, bearing the title, The Bells of 1 2. It’s celestial romanticism glows in the enchanting vocals of Sophie, each track a channel to some uncanny territory. Slo Fuzz beckons with an affectionately plaintive chorus, wishing to fly away, bubbling over ethereal melody lines. Wonderland tells the story of an artist with the sinking feeling that a change will never come. Come Running is a curious ode to companionship. Enter 2 Human plays out as one of the most heartrending incitements in recent years. Each song is more than enough to get lost in.
This enchanting record has finally seen its completion, a benchmark for Sophie’s Sol Seppy, and a tribute to the unfolding of one artist’s spectacular vision. The Bells of 1 2 is prismatic by nature, with Sophie’s guiding light splitting into an wide array of sonic colors. “It’s the discovery of beauty that inspires me the most,” she says, clandestinely hinting at an endless impetus for the songs of Sol Seppy.
Wholesome Way
Sol Seppy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On my back
Pickin' me up
Alakazaam
Let's stay like this
For a little while
My hidden planet
I shouldn't be you're way home
Say you'll never leave
Don't say you'll ever leave
I know I have sunshine
Say you can't let go
Don't say you'll ever leave me driving
Glimpse of heaven
On my back
Pickin' me up
Alakazaam
Let's stay like this
For a little while
My hidden planet
You're killing me
La la la la la
La la la la la la
A lucky girl on a wholesome way
Oh, when it's real
It should feel
Are you there
Alright
I shouldn't be you're way home
Don't say you'll ever leave
Don't say you'll ever leave
I know I have sunshine
Say you can't let go
Don't say you'll ever leave me driving
The moon is high on the sky
Come and talk to me
I can't ignore you
Don't say you'll ever leave
Don't say you'll ever leave
I know I have sunshine
Say you can't let go
Don't say you'll ever leave me driving
The lyrics of Sol Seppy's song "Wholesome Way" portray a sense of euphoria and happiness as the singer is carried away by a "glimpse of heaven". The singer refers to their lover as their "hidden planet" that is "killing" them through their love. The singer is aware of their admiration for their lover, but also aware of their vulnerability in depending heavily on the relationship.
The singer pleads with their lover not to leave, emphasizing that they bring "sunshine" and happiness to their life. The image of a "lucky girl on a wholesome way" suggests that the singer feels incredibly grateful to have found their partner and to be overwhelmed by a feeling of happiness.
The chorus of the song continues to emphasize the singer's immense love for their partner, and their fears of being left behind. The song ends with the singer asking their partner not to leave them and to come and talk to them, symbolizing their intense need for bonding and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Glimpse of heaven
The moment feels like a blessing from above
On my back
The feeling is overwhelming and enveloping
Pickin' me up
The emotions are lifting the person up
Alakazaam
The moment feels magical and unexpected
Let's stay like this
The person wants to hold onto the moment
For a little while
The person knows it won't last forever
My hidden planet
The person's inner thoughts and emotions
You're killing me
The intensity of the emotions is overwhelming and consuming
I shouldn't be you're way home
The person knows they can't fix or heal the other person's life
Say you'll never leave
The person wants the other to commit to staying
Don't say you'll ever leave
The person fears abandonment or rejection
I know I have sunshine
The person knows they have joy and light in their life
Say you can't let go
The person wants the other to hold on to the relationship
Don't say you'll ever leave me driving
The person doesn't want to be left uncertain or in a vulnerable position
La la la la la
Expressing an uplifting, joyful feeling
La la la la la la
Continuing the expression of joy and happiness
A lucky girl on a wholesome way
The person feels fortunate in their life journey
Oh, when it's real
The person is reflecting on genuine, authentic feelings
It should feel
The person believes there should be a certain emotional quality in true feelings
Are you there
The person is seeking confirmation that the other person feels the same way
Alright
Accepting the reality of the situation
The moon is high on the sky
The person is referring to the time of day/night
Come and talk to me
The person is inviting the other to communicate with them more openly
I can't ignore you
The person can't help but think about the other
Writer(s): Sophie Michalitsianos
Contributed by Daniel B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
speleokeir
A beautiful hidden gem. Sol Seppy's so talented. Why isn't she huge? I've yet to hear a single one of her songs I don't love.
Deaner Hockings - Reptilian Hunter
So many classic pieces of music from Sol Seppy!
Nick Moon
Starts off ordinary, but quickly metamorphoses 🦋
Alexander Tselishchev
supperduppercoooool unreal song.Love it so much
MariaLu Correia
Very good :)