songwriting & other projects
Band recording session for ‘Taken by a Feeling’ - The Aviary Studios in Abbotsford, VIC [Wurundjeri land], June 2022.
Pictured L to R: Jake Amy (keys), Josh Barber (drums), Fraser Montgomery (producer, engineer), Matt Dixon (electric guitar + pedal steel), Matt Hayes (bass), Sophie Klein (songwriter, guitar, vocals).
Relevant recent examples of Work
Southern Lights - live show (2023)
In June 2023, I was involved in a special collaboration with renowned local artists Alison Ferrier and Tanya-Lee Davies. We performed our own songs together, performing with each other on-stage. This SOLD OUT show was the inaugural performance in a new series of concerts, and we appeared on PBS 106.7FM and 3CR Radio in the lead up to the highly successful show.
This was my first show working with new booking agent Regal770 to test and showcase new alliance ahead of release Taken by a Feeling. The collaboration with Alison Ferrier in particular proved so fruitful that I invited her and her partner Jeff Lang to sing backing vocals on Taken by a Feeling, as a result of this show together.
Co-Writing (2020-23)
Co-written songs appeared on my first two album, however since 2020 I have focussed more intently and deliberately on songwriting collaboration, as part of my aim to develop my craft and career prospects.
This has resulted in some really fruitful outcomes, writing songs with other artists/songwriters including Larissa Tandy, Cat Leahy, Sal Kimber, Kelly Brouhaha, Cat Canteri, Lisa Richards and others, and getting ‘cuts’ on records including the forthcoming 2023 album by award-winning indie duo This Way North (produced by Ainslee Wills). See CV for further information & highlights.
Pictured: Sal Kimber. Image credit: Mauro Trentin
“I have adored writing with Sophie. I reached out to Sophie in early 2023, when I was writing for the album that I am currently in the final stages of recording. I came to her when I was feeling a lack of support and craving collaboration. Sophie helped me finish lyrics that I had been deliberating over for two years and I just couldn’t move forward with on my own. She helped me birth a new song that is possibly my favourite on the album. Her intellect, talent and passion for emotive, authentic lyrics and catchy, nuanced melody lines mixed with her positivity and authenticity makes for the perfect collaborator. I hope to write songs with Sophie in the years to come. ”
Melbourne in 60 Seconds (2022)
‘Melbourne in 60 Seconds’ is a collaborative effort, born in lockdown as a positive project during testing times, a bit of joy amid the frustration.
During Covid, I was invited to contribute a 60-second song about Melbourne to this project. The result is a diverse compilation of songs by local artists in tribute to the city’s thriving arts scene. Proceeds from CD sales go to Support Act. I was also handpicked amongst only 10% of the artists, to perform my song and a cover of Crowded House’s ‘Four Seasons in One Day’ live with a house-band at the album launch at The Brunswick Ballroom in October 2022.
‘I want to really see you, and you see me’ - a live EP (2020)
I released a live EP in 2020, in lieu of cancelled Australian and Canadian shows as a result of Covid-19. It features re-imagined live versions of songs from the ‘Want it All’ album (2019), plus a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Dancing in the Dark’. Recordings were taken from the album tour and live-to-air performances on ABC radio in 2019- and early 2020. The EP title is both an allusion to laying it all bare in the live environment, and a reference to missing people dearly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Little Wise - Media Portfolio & Recent Reviews
DOWNLOAD portfolio (2 pages)
“With it’s hard to resist shimmering melody set against an ethereal wash of synths and a driving, new wave-y beat, Australia’s Sophie Klein takes a step away from the folksy Americana of past releases with her new single ‘Heart Beats Quicker’”
““She calls herself Little Wise, but I think she’s a lot wise.”
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“The music of Little Wise stands out to me through Sophie Klein’s musicality and artistry. Klein’s lyrics captures simple yet beautiful observations of the world around us with a narrative of a songwriter with an eloquently old soul, set to the backdrop of a solid country soundtrack.
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forthcoming album - teaser
Track order:
Not included: Heart Beats Quicker
The Hardest Part
Seventeen
We Were Driving
Magic
I’m Sorry
Never Been One to Pray
Tonight
Some Things Never Change
‘Heart Beats Quicker’ Video
Unreleased Music Video by Jax Oliver for single #1, featuring dance by Cecelia Martin. Filmed in Naarm (Melbourne) and Meanjin (Brisbane).
To be released in January 2024 to re-introduce Little Wise after parental leave hiatus and to announce the forthcoming album, ahead of single #2 release.
‘The Hardest Part’ - live video teaser
Live video to be released in March 2024 to promote single #2 ‘The Hardest Part’. Online social media video release, managed by Zantipi agency in conjunction with release of album version of the single and live performances at Hornsby Folk Club in Sydney (NSW) + Yackandah Folk Festival (VIC) + Port Fairy Folk Festival (VIC) + Wesley Anne in Melbourne (VIC).
Below is a 50 second teaser version.
Filmed live at the Aviary studios, Abbotsford VIC [Wurrundjeri land] in June 2022.
Song by Sophie Klein.
Vocals, guitar - Sophie Klein.
Keys - Jude Perl.
Mini choir - Pam Zaharias, Rosie Burgess, Sam Lohs, Jacinta Percy, Jude Perl.
THE AVIARY FILM DIVISION:
Fraser Montgomery - filming, editing, grading, sound mixing
Steve Mowat - engineering on the day.