“‘i don't see you (how I used to)’ is that exact moment I felt the first relief from mourning my relationship. It was waking up and remembering the not so perfect moments instead of being hit with all my best memories. And it was acknowledging the fact that I had been manipulated to only see this person for their best self, when most of the time I was getting their worst.

For me this song represents the long road to realizing you might not have had the love you thought you did, and trying to untangle yourself after years of manipulation and unhealthy power dynamics. This song is about feeling clarity and feeling your power slowly returning to your body.” 

- Sophie Cates

“i don’t see you (how i used to)” proves that all relationships, even those between well-known celebrities, can end in heartbreak. However, they don’t have to continue that way. Cates’ frankness is what draws fans to her music. She is known for turning inner monologues into vivid tales that even the average person can reach out and grasp. Her effortless blend of indie, pop, and synths provide not only a unique soundscape to mirror her experiences, but lay a groundwork for the raw lyricism she isn’t afraid to share. 

While “i don’t see you (how i used to)” explores a piece of the relief she felt post-breakup, SUPERNOVA will chronicle Cates’ journey through every stage of grief, mourning, and eventually, acceptance. SUPERNOVA is said to be “an honest chronicling of [Cates’] stages of grief as she reconciles with the complex, manipulative power dynamics that came from dating a famous artist in the public eye.” 

SUPERNOVA will be released in its entirety early this year. Until then, “i don’t see you (how i used to)”, along with “walking the dogs”, “SUPERNOVA”, and “certain light” provide a glimpse into what listeners can expect. If you are eager to hear these tracks and more live, Cates’ will be touring across the U.S. in February with stops in San Francisco (February 17, Brick & Mortar Music Hall), Los Angeles (February 22, The Moroccan Lounge), Chicago (February 24, Beat Kitchen), and Brooklyn (February 27, Baby’s All Right). 

Between all the excitement, Thirteen Magazine was able to talk to Cates’ about SUPERNOVA, touring, and what the future holds. Read about it below!

THIRTEEN: Hi Sophie! Tell us a little bit more about you and who you are as an artist!

SOPHIE CATES: Hey!! Hmm. I’m Sophie, I’m 24, I’ve been releasing music since I was 16. So, that's 8 years of my life, which feels kind of crazy to say. I live in Los Angeles. I like to make things out of clay. I love Imogen Heap and Architectural Digest. I cut bangs with craft scissors at least once a year and I never regret it. 

THIRTEEN: 2024 seems like it’s going to be eventful for you! Between the release of your album, SUPERNOVA, and cross-country tour dates in February, how are you feeling?

SC: Honestly, it's the first time in a while that my excitement has outweighed my fear. I’ve had a crazy few years in terms of my career, and my life. I was definitely lost for a while, trying to refind myself,  and now with the process of making this album, reconnecting with my fans, getting to be creative with the way I want to tell this story, I feel like I’m finally back in my body, on the right path, and more inspired than ever. I’m just feeling super grateful right now. 

THIRTEEN: “i don’t see you (how i used to)” has a very meaningful story behind its creation. Could you elaborate on that?

SC: This song is about finally feeling healed, from the pain someone else caused, but also from my own existential lostness. Supernova as an album, is really about feeling like you've lost your orbit. Whether that's another person, or an understanding of yourself, for me it was both. I had this experience that left me feeling like a planet that didn't have a sun guiding its direction, or like I’d been thrown a million miles away from anything that felt like home, and most of the album is about that lost feeling. “I don't see you” is the only song on the album about feeling like I’d found my way back, found some sense of reckoning, and some sense of self understanding again. It really is the celebration of getting through the struggle, and sticking it out until I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

THIRTEEN: We rarely hear music that details the better emotions or experiences of a breakup, why did you choose to explore this feeling of relief over further investigating the grief of a relationship?

SC: I wrote most of the album in the first 6 months after my breakup. And so I really did map out every stage of grief, (especially anger lol). “i don't see you’ came about a year later. And that was right around when I was actually experiencing acceptance of the whole situation.  It was natural for me to go there, because it was how I felt. It was a final check point that needed to be made in the aftermath of the chaos.

THIRTEEN: Outside of relationships, where else do you find inspiration to create music?

SC: Everywhere. Nostalgia for everything. My EP Basement Party was more about my relationship to Chicago than it was about any one person. 

THIRTEEN: How do you feel your music stands out from other artists?

SC: I think I have the unique experience of being a part of the hyperpop scene from the beginning, when it was truly still an underground genre. I got to be a part of its come up, and because of that, I feel like I can pull inspiration from it and blend it with other genres in a way that feels like it's my own. It’s in my DNA as an artist, but it's not who I am as an artist. I think that's a big asset in terms of being comfortable experimenting musically.  

THIRTEEN: You’ve worked and collaborated with artists like Jeremy Zucker, Omar Apollo, Daya, Flume, and many more. How did these experiences influence you as an artist afterward?

SC: The biggest thing about having the opportunity to work with bigger artists is having good examples around me of people who stay grounded, take care of themselves, and work hard. It keeps me motivated to see how much time and passion these people put into their craft, and it makes me want to keep growing and working. 

THIRTEEN: Is there any advice you’d give to your younger self as a musician? Things you’d do differently or even keep the same?

SC: Don't confuse how other people see you with who you are.. You know yourself better than anyone else ever will. And when it comes to your art, you actually are always right. 

THIRTEEN: Is there anything you can share about SUPERNOVA before its official release? 

SC: Be ready for feminine rage, and listen to LAN Party. 

THIRTEEN: In the new year, what direction do you hope to take your music in?

SC: I don't know if I have a specific direction. I just want to be honest, and explore all the possibilities of what I can make with full artistic control.