Q & A with Safe Harbor
Simon Sosa (Safe Harbor) – Sterling Illinois
Q: How did the name Safe Harbor come about?
A: A safe harbor is any place or situation that offers refuge or protection. I want people to find happiness and comfort in my music, whether they need to be cheered up or are already happy.
Q: When did you first know that you wanted to make music?
A: My first instrument was the drums. My lovely mother got me a First Act drum kit from Walmart and gave it to me for Christmas when I was about 6. I kind of just gave up after I realized I sucked. I started playing the violin when I was 9, after that I was hooked on playing music, and I was more determined than before. And clearly didn’t stop playing music!
Q: How would you describe Safe Harbor sounds like?
A: A cohesive mix between pop-punk, folk, pop, and indie I guess. It’s kind of hard to label your own music sometimes.
Q: You recently came out with an Ep called “Twin City” What was the Ep influenced by? And do you have a favorite track from it? Why?
A: It was mostly influenced by being homesick and missing all my loved ones. I’ve had to leave a lot people behind to go to college in a different state. It was influenced by all the great times I’ve had with everyone I love back home. I took all those feelings put an optimistic feel towards it. It’s sort of a tribute to the two towns I grew up in , Sterling and Rock Falls ( Twin Cities ) and a tribute to all of the people I love there. Even the EP cover is a picture of Sterling from Rock Falls. And the indian head was the mascot of my high school. I played, recorded, and mastered the whole EP myself using the knowledge I’ve learned in school.
My favorite track of the EP would probably be Twin City. I feel like it sonically and rhythmically sums up the EP. Everything from the production to the song itself, I feel everything was right on.
Q: What are future projects you have in mind? Or goals you would like to achieve?
A: I’d like to release something when fall comes around! My musical mood kind of changes with the seasons, so I couldn’t really tell you what that would sound like. Some goals I would like to achieve, 1. Become a better audio engineer so I can make my albums sound better haha 2. influence someone with my music. Even though there are no vocals I want people to become happier when they listen to my music. 3. Collaborate with someone awesome!
Q: As an upcoming musician what challenges have you faced? And what obstacles do you think you may have to overcome?
A: I think one of the toughest things, besides recording, is getting your name and music out there. Even though I have Facebook, Soundcloud, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr, the hard part is getting people to care. My music is up for free download but how do I get people to download it? That’s the trick.
Q: What other artist/bands have influenced you?
A: Whether it shows through the Ep or not I have a lot of influences and bands I look up to. For example Transit, Dallas Green, Elton John, City Lights, Christopher Drew, John Butler, and Bob Dylan.
There is a little information on the upcoming artist known as Safe Harbor. Go check out his music on Facebook and I hope you enjoy as much as I do!
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