Sophia James Embraces the Unexpected with ‘The Wrong Shoe Theory’
After an unexpected moment of virality, “Group 7” TikTok star Sophia James releases rock-pop EP The Wrong Shoe Theory
PHOTOS BY EMILY ENTZ
After you’ve done the work, bore your heart into the lyricism, tracked the song and made something you’re proud of, sometimes promoting your art can feel like pulling teeth. Whether it be sending it to just the right distributor, creating the right content or promoting in a way that still feels true to the art, it can truly be a gamble on whether or not people will end up stumbling across your work. For Sophia James, one viral moment changed everything, just by simply stating “If you are watching this video, you are in Group 7.”
“I had been trying to promote my song ‘So Unfair’ for several weeks, maybe a month or so,” James told Pleaser in an exclusive interview. “As an indie artist, the only marketing resource you really have at your disposal is social media. I was just kind of trying different things. I was just like, whatever, I’ll post a bunch of videos in one sitting and number them,’ because the more videos you post in one sitting, the more it ups your chances of hitting the algorithm. And behold, the seventh one blew up.”
For a moment, the virality of “Group 7” was everywhere, from TikTok remakes to the “Today Show,” all videos playing Sophia James’ “So Unfair,” in the background. It was an overnight success, introducing over 15.5 million people to the song– if not directly, at least subliminally. From communities forming in the comments to people making up their own meaning to what “Group 7” actually stood for, James told Pleaser that the virality changed her for the better.
“I was like, this is hilarious. Because truly, it meant absolutely nothing,” James said. “Like, to me, going into it. But people applied their own meaning to it, and now it means everything to me. It kind of changed my life.”
Now, months after the viral moment, James is still riding that high and taking full advantage of her overnight success. After receiving praise for the jazzy-pop single “So Unfair,” the LA-based star did not hesitate to continue writing and releasing what rings true to who she is as an artist– starting with the release of powerpop EP The Wrong Shoe Theory.
PHOTOS BY EMILY ENTZ
Saturated in experimental pop melodies, musical absurdity and high-energy production styles, James is leaning into the theatrics of artistry, like in the first track on the EP “You Make Me So Happy I Wanna Die.” Right of the bat, James’ suave, sharp vocals bellow over a powerpop girl-rock track, scream-singing the lines, “You make me so happy I wanna die / Throwing up a million butterflies / Walked on the sun, burnt a hole in my shoes / Now I’m dumb as the face of the man in the moon.”
The premise of the EP, itself, is a nod to the absurdities in life, like the theory that wearing the wrong shoe with an outfit can totally change the entire look for the better.
“It’s just kind of absurd, and I think it sparks people’s curiosity in a way. So, that’s part of it,” James told Pleaser. “The wrong shoe theory, to my understanding, is a styling technique. It’s the notion that pairing an ensemble with an unexpected shoe can elevate the entire outfit. So think athletic wear with a pink pair of heels. Or a really nice skirt with a pair of sneakers. The EP and the music on this EP is very much made in a similar mindset. There’s a lot of pieces that shouldn’t really fit, or unexpected songs or pieces of production that are unexpected.”
PHOTOS BY EMILY ENTZ
It’s been a year full of unexpected phenomena for James, but one thing she knows for certain is that she will be continuing to make music for as long as she can. The Wrong Shoe Theory released May of this year, but she’s continuing her winning streak with the latest release of her single “Ryan,” a funky pop-ballad that continues to stretch the walls of absurdity and fun.
